015 of 2019 - Support of National Price on Carbon Emissions R 19-1
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
�esaCix#ice
15 of 2019
JOINT RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A
NATIONAL PRICE ON CARBON EMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the National Climate Assessment is a report of the U.S.Global Change Research
Program delivered to Congress and the President on a recurring basis;and
i
WHEREAS, the Fourth National Climate Assessment,released in 2017118,was informed by
a team of more than Soo federal and non federal experts along with policy
review by 13 federal agencies;and
WHEREAS, the Fourth National Climate Assessment aligns with previous assessments and
the global scientific consensus in finding that global temperatures are
increasing rapidly and the evidence consistently points to human activities,
especially the emissions of greenhouse gases,as the dominant cause;and
WHEREAS, the Fourth National Climate Assessment finds that climate change creates new
risks and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in communities across the United
States,presenting growing challenges to human health and safety,quality of '
life,and the rate of economic growth;and
WHEREAS, the Fourth National Climate Assessment finds that in the absence of more
significant global carbon mitigation efforts,it is very likely that some physical
and ecological impacts of climate change will be irreversible for thousands of
years,while others will be permanent;and
WHEREAS, communities are already experiencing the local effects ofclimate change
through increased heat waves,changes in water systems,extreme weather
events,dangerous wildfires and other disruptions that threaten residents;and
WHEREAS, studies show that low income communities and communities of color are
disproportionately harmed by the threats of climate change and climate
disruption threatens equitable outcomes and erodes opportunity in
communities;and
WHEREAS, municipal budgets and operations are negatively impacted by climate
disruptions that consume and constrain resources and hinder the ability to
serve communities;and
WHEREAS, cities and municipalities have demonstrated their commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of policies and projects
incorporating energy efficiency,renewable energy development,electrified
transportation and other measures that mitigate climate change;and
WHEREAS, the transition to low-carbon,renewable energy resources will provide a range
of additional co-benefits including enhanced public health,increased national
and energy security,local clean energy jobs,reduced reliance on finite
resources and many other positive outcomes;and
WHEREAS, local carbon reduction goals of communities must be complemented by national
level policies such as carbon pricing in order to promote energy efficiency and
accelerate clean energy investments on timescales required by science-based
emissions reduction targets;and
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
esoCn#ion
WHEREAS, the need to transition from fossil fuels to clean,renewable energy can be
accelerated through a price on carbon emissions that will spur innovation and
reduce reliance on foreign energy sources;and
WHEREAS, a price on carbon emissions would encourage and empower households and
businesses to invest in energy efficiency,conservation and domestic carbon free
energy sources;and
WHEREAS, economists are in general agreement that market-based mechanisms such as
carbon pricing will create price signals that efficiently inform energy
investment decisions,and
i
WHEREAS, the goal of the Paris Agreement is to mobilize an international response to the
crisis of climate change through the creation of national policies that avoid
highly dangerous planetary warming and this ambition requires swift action by
participating nations.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED
that the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City strongly urge the
United States Congress to pass House Resolution 763,the Energy Innovation
and Carbon Dividend Act that imposes a price on carbon emissions sufficient
enough to reduce carbon emissions in line with m g bttions detailed in the Paris
Agreement on climate change.
I
Jacqueline M.Biskupski harlie Chair
Salt Lake City Mayor t e City Council Member,District Six
Junjis Rogers,Vice Chair Arldrelv Johns
S t Lake City Council Member,District One SAWLake Ci ouncil Member,District Two
Chris Wharton Ana Valdemor s
Salt Lake City Council Member,District Three Salt Lake City Council Member,District Four
Erin Mendenhall Amy Fo
Salt Lake City Council Member,District ive Salt Lak City Counci ember,District Seven
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this 16th day of July, 2019.
crry
G
* ' JN
�o�PoRA1'LS�Pv