HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso - CC - 102-2018RESOLUTTON NO. 102-2018
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME URGING THE
UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT A REVENUE-NEUTRAL TAX ON CARBON.
BASED FOSSIL FUELS
WHEREAS, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities, including the
burning of fossil fuels, are causing rising global temperatures; and
WHEREAS, the average surface temperature on Earth has been increasing steadily, and
cunent estimates are that the average global temperature by the year 21OO will be 2 degrees
Fahrenheit to '11.5 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the cunent average global temperature,
depending on the level of GHG emissions trapped in the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, the global atmospheric concentration of carlcon dioxide (CO2) exceeded 410
parts per million (ppm) in June 2018, the highest level in three million years and clearly out of
synch with long term geological pattems; and
WHEREAS, scientific evidence indicates that it is necessary to reduce the global
atmospheric concentration of CO2 from the current concentration of more than 400 ppm to 350
ppm or less in order to slow or stop the rise in global temperature; and
WHEREAS, global warming is already leading to large-scale problems including ocean
acidification and rising sea levels; more frequent, extreme, and damaging weather events such
as heat waves, storms, heavy rainfall and flooding, and droughts; more frequent and intense
wildfires; disrupted ecosystems affecting biodiversity and food production; and an increase in
heat-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, further global warming poses an unacceptable risk of catastrophic impacts to
the ecosystems on which all life depends; and
WHEREAS, warming air temperatures lead to the physical expansion of ocean water and
to additional water in the oceans from melting ice, and therefore will lead inevitably to rising levels
of San Francisco Bay, which will directly threaten and possibly destroy valuable private and public
lands in Burlingame, including but not limited to land owners who are responsible for over 1/3 of
the City's tax revenues, baseball parks, walking paths, a high school, and office buildings, thereby
imperiling the City's ability to provide crucial services to future citizens and residents; and
WHEREAS, the Global Warming Solutions Acl of 2006 (AB 32) commits the State of
California to reduce GHG emissions to '1990 levels by 2020, and the State has further established
goals to reduce GHG emissions by 40 percent below '1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32), and to 80
percent below 1990 levels by 2050 (Executive Order 5-305); and
WHEREAS, the environmental, health, and social costs of CO2 emissions are not
currently included in the price paid for fossil fuels, and these negative externalities are bome by
all global inhabitants, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and communities near
oceans; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon tax will benefit the economy, human health, the
environment, and national security as a result of correcling market distortions, driving innovation
and employment into green energy, reducing toxic pollutants, reducing the outflow of dollars to
oil-producing countries, and improving the energy security of the United States; and
WHEREAS, a phased-in carbon tax on GHG emissions: 1) is an efficient, transparent, and
enforceable mechanism to drive an effective and fair transition to a renewable energy economy,
2) will incentivize manufacturers, businesses, and consumers throughout the economy to use less
fossil fuel, which will lead to reduction in demand and therefore supply, and 3) will stimulate
investment in alternative-energy; and
WHEREAS, monthly dividends (or'rebates') from the funds generated by the carbon tax
paid to American households can mitigate the added costs to consumers, especially for families
who can least afford them; funds can also be set aside to help cities and counties obtain low cost
loans to invest in defensive infrastructure, made necessary by rising sea levels and other impacts
from global warming; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon tax, starting at a low rate and increasing steadily overfuture
years, is a market-based solution that would minimally disrupt the economy while sending a clear
and predictable price signal to businesses to develop and use non-carbon-based energy
resources; and
WHEREAS, fossil fuels can be taxed once, as far upstream as possible in the economy
as practical, or at the port of entry to the United States, for efficient administration; and
WHEREAS, a revenue-neutral national carbon tax can be implemented quickly and
efficiently, and respond to the urgency of the climate crisis, while softening the price impact on
consumers and offering municipalities resources to combat climate change effects; and
WHEREAS, continued widespread use of fossil fuels and impac{s due to climate change
pose a present and growing risk to the residents of Burlingame, san Mateo county, across the
United States, and around the world.
NOW THEREFORE, BE lT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Burlingame that:
1. The City urges the Congress of the United State to enact, without delay, a revenue-
neutral tax on carbon-based fossil fuels similar to proposed legislation endorsed by
the Citizens' Climate Lobby; and
2. The tax should be collected once, as far upstream in the economy as practical, or at
the port of entry into the United States: and
3. The tax rate should start low and increase steadily and predictably with the goal of
reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the United States to 80 percent below 1990
levels by 2050; and
4. All tax revenue should be used to mitigate the impact of the carbon tax on low and
middle income Americans and to help municipalities invest in defensive infrastructure
made necessary by rising sea levels and other climate-related impacts.
4/W
MMichael
l, Meaghan Hassel-Shearer, City Clerk of the Ci$ of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 20b day of
August, 2018, and was adopted thereafter by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: BEACH, BROWNRIGG, COLSON, KEIGHRAN, ORTIZ
NOES: Councilmembers: NONE
ABSENT: Councilmembers: NONE