CC Resolution No. 04-315
RESOLUTION NO. 04-315
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA'S LAW TO
REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
Whereas, the month of May is designated as "Clean Air Month" in our nation and many
events and activities are scheduled by the American Lung Association to heighten public
awareness of clean air concerns; and
Whereas, reducing emissions from motor vehicles and fuels is a key clean air strategy in
California due to the overwhelming majority of air pollution generated from these
sources; and vehicles not only emit ozone precursors, particulates and air toxics, but also
emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons and methane that are
linked to increased warming of the atmosphere; and
Whereas, increased warming of the atmosphere will lead to serious impacts on air quality
and public health, water supply, water quality, coastal resources, agriculture, and other
environmental impacts; and
Whereas, higher temperatures due to global warming help create conditions that are ideal
for ozone formation, and an EP A study on the impacts of increasing temperatures on
peak ozone concentrations in Southern California urban areas found up to a 6 ppb ozone
increase per each 1°F increase in temperature; and
Whereas, the largest source of global warming pollution in California is passenger cars
and light trucks, accounting for approximately 40 percent of the state's emissions; and
Whereas, AB 1493 (Pavley) enacted in 2002 requires the California Air Resources Board
to adopt regulations to achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction in
greenhouse gases from passenger vehicles by January, 2005; and
Whereas, the AB 1493 regulations will contribute to both reduced global warming
emissions and improved air quality; and an important byproduct of the regulations will
likely be reduced pollution emissions from the manufacturing, transportation, delivery
and sale of gasoline (called "upstream emissions") due to reduced petroleum use; and
Whereas, the regulations required by AB 1493 will help continue the drive toward
advanced technology and alternative fueled vehicles that can achieve extremely low
levels of both traditional air pollutants and greenhouse gases; and would give consumers
additional choices of clean vehicles without taking away existing vehicle options; and
Whereas, there is an abundance of off-the-shelf technology and available clean fuels that
can be readily applied to reduce global warming pollution from today's cars and trucks,
and experts have estimated that a 30-40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is
possible and cost-effective; and
Resolution No. 04-~15
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Whereas, 95% of Californians already live in areas that exceed federal health-based
ozone standards, and increased ozone levels leads to increased asthma attacks and other
serious lung health impacts; and
Whereas, global warming will significantly impact California consumers, businesses and
the state's economy as a result of increased food, water and energy costs, insurance
liabilities, environmental losses and demands upon the public health infiastructure; and
Whereas, addressing the impacts of global warming, whether through mitigation or
response to natural disasters will severely tax state and local government agencies; and
Whereas, California has a long history of national leadership on air quality and
environmental policy, and California's actions are critical to controlling and reducing
global warming pollution nationally; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council urges the California
Air Resources Board to adopt the strongest possible regulations to reduce greenhouse
gases emitted by passenger vehicles pursuant to AB 1493 (Pavley), and recommends that
the California Legislature endorse such regulations to protect the health of the state's
economy and its people.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting ofthe City Council of the City of
Cupertino this 17th day of May 2004, by the following vote:
Vote
Members Q[the Q!y Council
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Kwok, Lowenthal, Sandoval, Wang
None
James
None
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
~~tl
City Clerk J