HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2021-067 Resolution endorsing the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend ActRESOLUTION NO. R-2021-067
A RESOLUTION authorizing endorsing the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
WHEREAS, the United States government released its Fourth Annual Climate
Assessment in November 2018 reporting that the impacts of climate change are already being
felt in communities across the country, and that more frequent and intense extreme weather and
climate -related events, as well as changes in average climate conditions, are expected to
continue to damage infrastructure, ecosystems, and social systems that provide essential benefits
to communities; and
WHEREAS, conservative estimates by the world's climate scientists state that to achieve
climate stabilization and avoid cataclysmic climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases
(GHGs) must be brought to 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050; and
WHEREAS, presently the environmental, health, and social costs of carbon emissions are
not included in prices paid for fossil fuels, but rather these externalized costs are borne directly
and indirectly by all Americans and global citizens, and
WHEREAS, to begin to correct this market failure, Congress can enact the Energy
Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act to assess a national carbon fee on fossil fuels based on the
amount of CO2 the fuel will emit when burned and allocate the collected proceeds to all U S
Households in equal shares in the form of a monthly dividend, and
WHEREAS, as stated in the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, a national,
revenue -neutral carbon fee starting at a relatively low rate of $15 per ton of CO2 equivalent
emissions and resulting in equal charges per ton of CO2 equivalent emissions potential in each
type of fuel or greenhouse gas should be assessed to begin to lower what are now dangerously
high CO2 emissions The yearly increase in carbon fees including other greenhouse gases, shall
be at least $10 per ton of CO2 equivalent each year, with the Department of Energy determining
whether an increase larger than $10 per ton per year is needed to achieve program goals, and
WHEREAS, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, specifies that, in order to
protect low and middle income citizens from the economic impact of rising prices due to the carbon
fee, equal monthly per -person dividend payments shall be made to all American households (1
full share to each adult and 1/2 payment per child under 19 years old) each month from the fossil
fuel fees collected The total value of all monthly dividend payments shall represent 100% of the
net carbon fees collected per month; and
WHEREAS, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, encourages market -driven
innovation of clean energy technologies and market efficiencies which will reduce harmful
pollution and leave a healthier, more stable, and more prosperous nation for future generations,
and
WHEREAS, according to the climate scientists, the Energy Innovation and Carbon
Dividend Act, will, after 12 years, lead to a decrease in America's CO2 emissions of 40 percent
and an increase in national employment of 2 1 million jobs, and
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WHEREAS, according to studies, border adjustments (carbon content -based tariffs on
products imported from countries without comparable carbon pricing, and refunds to our exporters
of carbon fees paid) can maintain the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in global markets, and
WHEREAS, the Act proposes to exempt made for agriculture fuel, wherein if any covered
fuel or its derivative is used on a farm for a farming purpose, the Secretary shall pay (without
interest) to the ultimate purchaser of such covered fuel or its derivative the total amount of carbon
fees previously paid upon that covered fuel or its derivative, and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee can be implemented quickly and efficiently, and will
respond to the urgency of the climate crisis because the federal government already has in place
mechanisms, such as the Internal Revenue Service, needed to implement and enforce the fee,
and already collects fees from fossil fuel producers and importers, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Yakima finds that it is in the best interest of the
City and its residents to endorse the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City Council endorses the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 18th day of May, 2021
ATTEST
Sonya 'CL ar Tee, City 01erk
2
P.tricia Byers, M. yor
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No, 4.N.
For Meeting of: May 18, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Resolution endorsing the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend
Act
SUBMITTED BY: Sara Watkins, City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the May 4, 2021 Council meeting, City Council directed staff to bring back a resolution
endorsing the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOM M ENDAT ION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
Res -Energy Innovation & Carbon Di \ridend Act
5/6/2021 Resolution
Endorsement