HomeMy WebLinkAbout19-80 - In Support of H.R. 763RESOLUTION NO. 19-80
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 763 THE ENERGY INNOVATION AND CARBON
DIVIDEND ACT OF 2019
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY FIND,
DECLARE AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), global
carbon emissions from fossil fuels have significantly increased since 1900. Since 1970,
carbon dioxide emissions have increased by about 90%; and
WHEREAS, the United States is one of the top global carbon dioxide emitters; and
WHEREAS, the continued release of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere is a
real and growing concern; and
WHEREAS, failing to reduce and/ or limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions
into the atmosphere could have severe ramifications for the world' s environment; and
WHEREAS, in January 2019, Representative Deutch introduced HR 763 a bill to
create a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund for the American people in order to encourage
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, HR 763, also called the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
of 2019, enjoys bipartisan support in the United States House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, HR 763 aims to reduce carbon emissions in the United States by 33%
in 10 years and 90% by the year 2050; and
WHEREAS, HR 763 would impose a fee for the carbon content in covered fuels
including crude oil, natural gas, coal, or any other product derived from crude oil, natural
gas, or coal, which shall be used to emit greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The fee
is equal to the greenhouse gas content of the fuel multiplied by the carbon fee rate. The
rate would begin at $15 in 2019 and increase $10 yearly; and
WHEREAS, the fee would apply to covered entities including refineries, importers
of any petroleum or petroleum product, any coal mining operation, any importer of coal,
any entity entering pipeline quality natural gas into the natural gas transmission system,
Resolution No. 19-80 Page 1 of 3
and any importer of natural gas, any entity required to report the emission of a fluorinated
gas and any entity or class of entities which, as determined by the Secretary of State, is
transporting, selling or otherwise using a covered fuel in a manner which emits a
greenhouse gas to the atmosphere and which is not covered by the carbon fee, the
fluorinated greenhouse gas fee, or the carbon border fee adjustment; and
WHEREAS, the fees are to be deposited into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund and
used for expenses and dividend payments to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; and
WHEREAS, HR 763 is co -sponsored by several Orange County Representatives
including Representative Harley Rouda, Representative Gil Cisneros, and
Representative Katie Porter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Costa
Mesa that:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa hereby finds, determines,
and declares that the City of Costa Mesa supports the adoption of H.R. 763, the Energy
Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of December, 2019.
ATTEST:
,s J& oxe.
Brenda Green, C Clerk
APP
Kimberly
Resolution No. 19-80 Page 2 of 3
, City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 19-80 and was duly passed
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on
the 17th day of December, 2019, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: CHAVEZ, GENTS, MARR, REYNOLDS,
STEPHENS, FOLEY
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MANSOOR
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 18th day of December, 2019.
�&MCQQ- O(KMA—,
Brenda Green, ity Clerk
Resolution No. 19-80 Page 3 of 3