HomeMy WebLinkAboutR19-056 2019 Colorado Communities for Climate Action Policy Statement Commissioner N1184A.PUt-11.. Ori...$.4—`1 moved adoption
of the following Resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY C9MMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
A
RESOLUTION No.2019- (r„e
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2019 COLOR 'bo COMMUNITIES FOR
CLIMATE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT
WHEREAS, Eagle County follows the activity of the state and federal legislature
closely in order to identify any potential impacts on the county and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Eagle County, along with twenty-seven other municipalities and
counties in Colorado, have joined Colorado Communities for Climate Action
("CC4CA"), a coalition of local governments across the state which advocates for
state and federal policies which support clean air, clean water, reduction of fossil fuel
consumption and other contributors associated with greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, an integral part of this system is the adoption of the 2019 CC4CA
Policy Statement, which identifies legislative issues of interest to the county along with
the county's policy principles on these issues;and
WHEREAS, Eagle County officials and staff will utilize the 2019 CC4CA
Policy Statement as a guiding policy when reviewing and analyzing bills which may
have an impact on the county's interests; and
WHEREAS,the 2019 CC4A Policy Statement is in alignment with Eagle
County's Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives.
NOW,THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners
of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado:
THAT, the attached 2019 CC4CA Policy Statement, representing the county's policy
principles on these legislative issues, is hereby adopted.
MOVED,READ and ADOPTED by the Board of Countyc,?kmmissioners of the County
of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the(0 day of 44.4. 2019.
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
COLORADO, By and Through Its
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
two
ATTEST: ~ 1
lr,0V-fJCAL—.4 $ * k By: A
Clerk to the Board of .RAv° -.nne cQueeney
P2`'1'. - Ituff, 'ount Com • /ioners C
if/ witi
A
Kathy Cha Qv-Henry
Commissio -
-41.-#)5cc.�.,
Matt Scherr
Commissioner
Commissioner vtAa QUILs—it.K seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The
roll having been called,the vote was as follows:
Commissioner McQueeney (-1-t•"
Commissioner Chandler-Henry
Commissioner Scherr Syi
This resolution passed by O vote of the Board of County Commissioners of
the County of Eagle, State of Colorado
CC4CA Policy Statement
Effective July 1, 2019
Adopted by the CC4CA Steering Committee on June 27,
2019 for Final Member Sign-Off
Colorado Communities for Climate Action is a coalition of local governments
advocating for stronger state and federal climate policy. CC4CA's policy priorities for
2019-2020 reflect unanimous agreement among the coalition members on steps
that should be taken at the state and federal level, often in partnership with local
governments, to enable Colorado and its communities to lead in protecting the
climate.
CC4CA generally focuses on legislative, regulatory, and administrative action,
supporting efforts that advance the general policy principles and the detailed policy
positions described below, and opposing efforts that would weaken or undermine
these principles and positions.
General Policy Principles
The following general principles guide the specific policies that Colorado
Communities for Climate Action advocates for:
Supports collaboration between state and federal government agencies and
Colorado's local governments to advance local climate protection.
Supports state and federal programs to reduce carbon pollution, including adequate
and ongoing funding of those programs.
Supports analyses, financial incentives, and enabling policies for the development
and deployment of clean energy technologies.
Supports locally driven and designed programs to support communities impacted
by the clean energy transformation.
Supports prioritizing policies that put people at the center of decision-making, do
not exacerbate or create disparities in growing the green economy, and enhance
equitable outcomes for all.
Policy Positions
Colorado Communities for Climate Action supports the following policy positions:
Statewide Climate Strategies
1. Reducing statewide carbon emissions consistent with or greater than the
State of Colorado's 2019 codified goals.
2. Securing accurate, frequent greenhouse gas inventories and forecasts for
Colorado.
3.Adopting a comprehensive market-based approach to reduce Colorado's
greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Expanding the consideration of the environmental and health costs
associated with the use of fossil fuels.
Local Climate Strategies
5. Removing barriers and promoting opportunities that allow counties and
municipalities to maximize the deployment of local clean energy and climate
options.
6. Enabling local governments to obtain the energy use and other data they
need to effectively address climate change.
7. Supporting a public process for evaluating retail energy choice options for
local jurisdictions.
8. Supporting policies that promote energy efficient buildings.
9. Providing for equitable strategies to enable and accelerate beneficial
electrification.
Energy Generation
10.Accelerating retirement of existing fossil fuel generation facilities and
their replacement with cost-effective and reliable clean energy supplies,
through means that protect both utilities and consumers.
2
11. Expanding the ability of electric cooperatives to independently purchase
local renewable electricity and take other steps to reduce carbon pollution.
12. Expanding distributed generation, energy storage, high levels of
renewable energy generation (distributed and utility-scale), and appropriate
technologies through grid modernization.
Energy Efficiency
13. Expanding demand side savings from efficiency and conservation for all
energy types.
14.Supporting ongoing and sustainable funding for weatherization and
renewable energy assistance to low-income households so that all Coloradans
have access to comfortable and affordable homes.
15. Providing counties and statutory cities and towns with the same authority
held by home rule cities to implement local energy conservation policies and
programs.
Transportation
16. Ensuring effective implementation of Colorado's vehicle emissions
standards and other regulatory activities designed to reduce carbon
emissions from vehicles.
17. Implementing the 2018 Colorado Electric Vehicle Plan and other efforts to
increase electrification of all motor vehicles.
18. Increasing multimodal transportation funding.
19. Incentivizing and selecting mobility alternatives, including movement of
both people and goods,based on energy efficiency and environmental costs
and benefits.
Fossil Fuel Extraction Activities
20. Expanding monitoring of and reducing the full life cycle emissions from
fossil fuel extractive industry activities.
Solid Waste Reduction
21. Granting CDPHE the authority to implement a plan for meeting Colorado's
statewide and regional solid waste diversion goals.
3
22.Reducing the use of disposable/single-use products and promoting the
reuse of materials.
23.Fostering infrastructure,policies, incentives,and programs for recycling
and composting.
General
24. Promoting proactive programs and efforts that improve the resilience and
adaptability of Colorado communities in the face of natural disasters and
other major challenges associated with climate change.
25. Optimizing the potential for carbon sequestration through regenerative
agriculture, improved soil health, and forest management.
26. Incorporating equity, accessibility, and just transition considerations into
climate policies and actions.
27. Encouraging investments that achieve climate-positive solutions.
28. Maintaining protections and authorities currently provided under
environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.
4