HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12172013 - C.33RECOMMENDATION(S):
ADOPT Resolution No. 2013/477 supporting the activities of CSAC's Local Climate Initiative, endorsing efforts of
the Initiative to secure funding for local energy efficiency and climate protection projects, and designating Patrick
Roche, of the Department of Conservation and Development, as the official liaison for Contra Costa County to the
Local Climate Initiative.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact to the County for participating in these advocacy efforts, which are being led by CSAC.
BACKGROUND:
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) allows for the use of a market mechanism to help the
State reach its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals as stated in AB 32. The first action of that market
mechanism took place in November 2012 as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its first auction as part
of its cap and trade program. California’s cap and trade program works by setting a statewide cap or limit on GHG
emissions from the state’s largest polluters. The cap will decline slightly each year until California reaches its goal of
achieving 1990 emissions levels by 2020. Entities that fall under the cap, such as oil refineries and large industrial
facilities, have the flexibility to decide how to meet their overall reduction requirement by either reducing their own
GHG emissions or purchasing “allowances” that allow them to emit a specific amount of GHG.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 12/17/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: L. DeLaney, (925)
335-1097
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board
of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 17, 2013
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Stephanie L. Mello, Deputy
cc:
C. 33
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David Twa, County Administrator
Date:December 17, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Cap and Trade Resolution
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
Cap and Trade Revenue. Cap and trade auctions began in November 2012 and take place quarterly with free
allocations available for electric utilities with the goal of protecting ratepayers. To date, the four cap and trade
auctions have generated roughly $445.5 million in funds allowable to invest back into GHG reductions with one
auction remaining for the year. Current law requires the State to invest cap and trade funds back into actions that
make real and quantifiable GHG reductions. In May, the Administration released a 3-year investment plan for cap
and trade auction revenues. However, the FY 13-14 budget ultimately allowed for a $500 million loan from these
funds to the State’s General Fund. As a result, the first allocation of cap and trade funds will be decided next year.
Advocacy Efforts. Last year, CSAC co-sponsored two measures that would dedicate a portion of cap and trade
revenues for local government GHG emission reduction programs. While both measures were held in the
Assembly Appropriations Committee as two-year bills, negotiations as to how to best allocate cap and trade
revenues will continue into this session. CSAC continues to be an active participant in the Local Government Cap
and Trade Coalition which was the sponsor of AB 416, by Assembly Member Gordon. AB 416 would develop the
Community Investment and Innovation Program, a new grant program that would be coordinated through CARB
and the Strategic Growth Council, allowing local governments to competitively apply for grants to implement
projects at the local and regional level that assist the State in reaching its AB 32 goals while also providing local
co-benefits. The program would allow for a wide variety of GHG reducing projects including those related to
renewable energy and energy efficiency, water, forestry, solid waste and other natural resource issues.
CSAC continues to support this effort and will engage in discussions through the legislative and budget processes
to advance these objectives. In addition, CSAC is participating in a similar coalition related to transportation,
advocating for cap and trade revenues derived from the cap on fuels to be dedicated back to investments in
transportation.
Action Requested. To help advance CSAC's advocacy efforts, CSAC is seeking individual county support to help
secure cap and trade funds for local projects. CSAC anticipates moving a bill forward through the legislature
and/or budget process in 2014. The attached sample resolution would enable CSAC to note our county’s support
generally for these efforts, and they encouraged those counties interested in participating in this effort to adopt the
resolution.
The following organizations were active participants in last year’s local government coalition:
CSAC
League of CA Cities
Local Government Commission
CA Special Districts Association
Urban Counties Caucus
County of Santa Clara
County of Sonoma
Monterey County
County of Santa Cruz
County of Los Angeles
Sonoma County Water Agency
Sonoma Regional Climate Protection Authority
Ventura Resource Conservation District
Bay Area Urban Forest Ecosystem Council
Central Coast Urban Forest Council Sacramento Urban Forests Council
San Diego Regional Urban Forest Council
San Joaquin Valley Urban Forest Council
Street Tree Seminar/Los Angeles-Orange County Urban Forests Council
Sonoma Co. Ag Preservation & Open Space District
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
Marin Agricultural Land Trust
Peninsula Open Space Trust
Orange County Sanitation District
Alameda Co Waste Management Authority
East Orange County Water District
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not adopt the attached Resolution, CSAC would not be able to note Contra Costa County's
support for their efforts to advocate for a portion of cap and trade funds to be directed towards a local government
grant program to provide funding on a competitive basis to local projects that reduce GHG emissions.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not Applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 2013/477