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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-05-2017 - 4-c - Proposed Resolution In Support of a Local, State, and National Goal of 100% Clean Energy By 2050 and the Creation of Green Jobs 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 5, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 4-c SUBJECT: Proposed Resolution In Support of a Local, State, and National Goal of 100% Clean Energy By 2050 and the Creation of Green Jobs DEPARTMENT: Board of County Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proposed Resolution from the Orange David Stancil, 919-245-2510 County Commission for the Jeff Thompson, 919-245-2658 Environment Brennan Bouma, 919-245-2625 PURPOSE: To consider adoption of a resolution to create a goal to transition to a 100% renewable energy based economy by 2050. BACKGROUND: In April 2017, on behalf of the North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition (NCCSC), a group of Orange County residents contacted Commissioner Renee Price to request that the Orange County Board of Commissioners consider the adoption of a resolution stating a commitment to transition to a 100% renewable energy based economy by 2050. According to the NCCSC website, similar resolutions have been adopted in 10 other local governments across North Carolina. The core scientific framework of this initiative was laid out in a Stanford University and University of California-Berkeley study which concludes that the US energy supply move to 100% renewable energy by the year 2050 using current technologies while creating green jobs and promoting economic development. The draft resolution prepared by the NCCSC was referred to the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation as well as the Commission for the Environment (CFE) for review. Over the course of two monthly meetings in May and June, the CFE interviewed the residents and reviewed the draft resolution and background. After review and discussion, the CFE amended the original draft resolution to clarify that it applies to Orange County as well as to the state and the nation. The edited resolution was satisfactory to the residents who brought it forward. Based on the potential environmental and economic benefits related to transitioning to renewable energy, the CFE now recommends the adoption of this resolution by the Board of Orange County Commissioners. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Given the steeply declining price of utility-scale renewable energy production nationwide, and the idea that most if not all current fossil fuel-based power plants will need to be replaced before 2050, it is reasonable to expect market forces to drive a transition to renewable energy. The CFE therefore expects that there will be no financial impact to Orange County associated with consideration of this resolution. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. The significant reduction in harmful air emissions that will accompany a transition to a renewable energy-based economy would significantly reduce the burden of chronic diseases like asthma in the most susceptible communities. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and consider adoption of the attached resolution. 3 RES-2017-048 RESOLUTION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN SUPPORT OF A LOCAL, STATE,AND NATIONAL GOAL OF 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050 AND THE CREATION OF GREEN JOBS Whereas, climate change has increased the global average surface temperature by 1.00 degrees Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1880; and Whereas, climate change is expected to increasingly impact North Carolina's temperatures,precipitation and sea level with harmful consequences in coming years; and Whereas, climate change and global average temperature increases are primarily due to human-caused fossil fuels emissions, including coal, oil and natural gas, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, National Academy of Sciences, American Meteorological Society, United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Defense, and numerous other leading scientific, academic and governmental authorities both in the United States and internationally; and Whereas, a final agreement of the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP21), which included the United States and a total of 195 nations, was reached in Paris, France on December 12, 2015, that states the aim is to "holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels" and entered into force on November 4, 2016; and Whereas, scientists have concluded the concentration of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas, in the Earth's atmosphere is currently and consistently over 400 parts per million (ppm) and will likely stay above this level for the indefinite future for the first time in millions of years; and Whereas, sixteen of the seventeen hottest years on record have occurred in the twenty- first century and 2016 is the hottest year on record; and Whereas, an increase in the global average temperature is having and will continue to increasingly have major adverse impacts, if not stopped by eliminating the use of fossil fuels, on both the natural and human-made environments due to longer, more intense heat waves, prolonged droughts, spread of infectious diseases, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, wildfires, and more intense and frequent extreme weather events; and Whereas, these physical effects are expected to lead to water scarcity, food insecurity, increasing numbers of refugees, increased poverty, and the mass extinction of species; and Whereas, studies completed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Risky Business Project, Duke University, and others point to the severe economic costs of climate change and continuing use of fossil fuel, estimating billions of dollars a year in costs nationally and trillions globally; and 4 Whereas, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that transitioning to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs nationally, improve health and living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years; and Whereas, low-income communities and communities of color in North Carolina and the United States are inordinately exposed to pollution, that causes serious health problems such as cancer and asthma, from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal-fired power plants which produce coal ash, and need to be empowered and have access to educational tools and an awareness of climate issues; and Whereas, a Stanford University and University of California-Berkeley study concludes the United States energy supply could be based entirely on renewable energy by the year 2050 using current technologies and 80% renewable energy by 2030 while creating numerous green jobs; and Whereas, municipalities, organizations, businesses, and academic institutions throughout the world have set a goal to achieve carbon or climate neutrality by 2050 or earlier; and Whereas, over 1,000 mayors have joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement since 2005 to commit to significantly reduce carbon emissions in their cities to combat climate change; and Whereas, over 600 American colleges and universities have made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, including Appalachian State University, Blue Ridge Community College, Carteret Community College, Catawba College, Central Carolina Community College, Davidson College, Duke University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Guilford College,North Carolina Central University, Queens University of Charlotte, Southeastern Community College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Wake Technical Community College, and Warren Wilson College; and Whereas, North Carolina installed 1,140 MW of solar electric capacity in 2015, ranking it second nationally; nearly $1.7 billion was invested on solar installations in North Carolina, a 159% increase over the previous year; there are currently more than 200 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in North Carolina, the state companies employing some 6,000 people; North Carolina ranks third in the nation in installed solar capacity, enough to power 260,000 homes; and solar photovoltaic system prices in the U.S. have dropped by 66% since 2010; Whereas, North Carolina has more offshore wind energy potential than any other Atlantic state; and Whereas, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report recommended a global goal of achieving near zero greenhouse gas emissions or below, which is necessary to stabilize the global average temperature to avoid climate catastrophe; 5 Now, Therefore, Be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby approve of the following: SECTION 1. Orange County, the State of North Carolina, and the United States shall transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy sectors-based economy, by January 1, 2050 or sooner to avoid climate catastrophe, to promote job creation and economic growth, and to protect the Earth for current and future generations from climate catastrophe. SECTION 2. This resolution is effective upon adoption.