07-02-2019 - Item 07 - Consideration of Support of Balanced Energy SolutionsAGENDA ITEM NO. 7
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina | Office of the City Manager
DATE:July 2, 2019
TO:Mayor and City Council
FROM:David Carmany
Interim City Manager
SUBJECT:CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORT OF BALANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-42 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING BALANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND THE
MAINTAINING OF LOCAL CONTROL OF ENERGY SOLUTIONS.
BACKGROUND:
In an effort to reduce the State's carbon footprint, the State legislature and energy agencies have been pursuing
ambitious goals for statewide carbon neutrality, defined as removing as much carbon dioxide as it emits. Last year,
Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 100, which mandates relying entirely on zero-emission energy sources for its
electricity by the year 2045. As a leader in climate policy, California has made great strides to combat climate
change but many policies occur at the State level without granting local governments the freedom and the flexibility
to achieve the State's goals while taking into account the needs of each community.
DISCUSSION:
The City of West Covina believes in pursuing efficient and environmentally friendly alternative energy sources,
however a push to eliminate natural gas from homes could cost the average household approximately $7,200 to
switch a home to all electricity and an increase of $388 per year in energy bills based on a 2018 report by Navigant
Consulting. In addition, 80% of Californians oppose prohibiting the use of gas appliances (California Natural Gas
Poll - Consumer Survey of 3000 California Voters, 2018).
In consideration of the residents and businesses that would be affected by the bills enacted at the State legislature,
staff is presenting the resolution for consideration in support of balanced energy solutions, such as renewable
natural gas, in addition to zero-emission energy sources, as well as maintaining local control of energy solutions.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed the attached resolution as to form.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options:
The City Council has the following options:
Approve staff's recommendation; or 1.
Provide alternative direction.2.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
There is no environmental impact associated with reviewing and approving this resolution.
Prepared by: Nikole Bresciani, Assistant City Manager/Public Services Director
Attachments
Attachment No. 1 - Resolution No. 2019-42
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-42
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING BALANCED ENERGY
SOLUTIONS AND THE MAINTAINING OF LOCAL CONTROL OF
ENERGY SOLUTIONS
WHEREAS , California’s energy policies are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and reducing the impact of climate change on our citizens ; and
WHEREAS, the State legislature and State agencies are increasingly proposing new
legislation and regulations eliminating choice of energy by mand ating technologies to power
buildings and public and private fleets, including transit and long-haul trucking, as a strategy to
achieve the State’s climate goals; and
WHEREAS, clean, affordable, and reliable energy is crucial to the material health, safe ty,
and well-being of West Covina residents, particularly the most vulnerable who live on fixed
incomes, including the elderly and working families who are struggling financially; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Covina, its residents, and its businesses values local control
and the right to choose the policies and investments that most affordably and efficiently enable
them to comply with State requirements; and
WHEREAS, building and vehicle technology mandates eliminate local control and
customer choice, suppress innovation, reduce reliability, and unnecessarily increase costs for West
Covina residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Covina understands that relying on a single energy delivery
system unnecessarily increases vulnerabilities to natural and man-made disasters, and that a
diversity of energy delivery systems and resources contribute to greater reliability and community
resilience; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Covina understands the need to mitigate the impacts of
climate change, and is committed to doing its part to help the State achieve its climate goals, but
requires the flexibility to do so in a manner that best serves the needs of its residents and
businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE TO SUPPORT BALANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS
AND THE MAINTAINING OF LOCAL CONTROL OF ENERGY SOLUTIONS .
PASSED, APPROVED , AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of July 2019.
Lloyd Johnson
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM ATTEST
Scott Porter Nickolas S. Lewis
City Attorney City Clerk
I, HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council
of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof on the 2nd day of July 2019 by
the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Nickolas S. Lewis
City Clerk