Title
Resolution Supporting Community Energy Resourcing
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution supporting resources to support the Ann Arbor Climate Action Plan
Staff
Submitted by Commissioner Appleyard and Commissioner Hutton
Body
Whereas. The City of Ann Arbor has a longstanding commitment to energy conservation and efficiency dating back to 1981;
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor recognizes the serious threat that climate change poses to the local environment, to our economy and to our residents' long-term security, livelihoods, and quality of life;
Whereas, on December 17, 2012, the Ann Arbor City Council adopted the Ann Arbor Climate Action Plan which identifies steps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet current short-term goals, and to set mid- and long-range targets for emissions reductions into the future;
Whereas, several findings within the last year have pointed to evidence that the deleterious effects of GHG emissions are increasing at a more rapid rate than previously acknowledged, making rapid action on GHG emission reductions even more imperative;
Whereas, since the City of Ann Arbor municipal services produces only 1.2% of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, achieving the Climate Action Plan's adopted targets requires participation from businesses and residents;
Whereas investing in energy efficiency has a direct economic benefit in the manufacturing, research and development, and service sectors as well as indirect benefits that come from utility savings that produce a multiplier effect that increases investment in local goods and services;
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor has proven options available to provide additional services to its residents and businesses to significantly increase energy efficiency and reap the benefits associated with such measures, including better air quality, community health, economic stimulus and our quality of life while insuring that our city reaches the adopted GHG emission reduction targets to which it has committed;
Whereas the current level of resources directed by the City of Ann Arbor to energy programs and services limits the extent to which additional programs can be instituted and maintained;
Resolved: The City of Ann Arbor Environmental Commission recommends that the Ann Arbor City Council direct the City Administrator to analyze the current rate of progress toward the implementation of the Ann Arbor Climate Action Plan and provide an assessment of resources needed develop additional programs, funding sources and actions to effectively achieve the Plan's goals by 2025 as enacted.