2007-12-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 WHEREAS , the City of Charlottesville has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the critical challenges of climate change and increased dependence on non- renewable, polluting energy sources by, among other actions: • Implementing an Environmental Management System since 2003 with goals of compliance, pollution prevention, environmental improvement, and sustainability; • Pursuing and promoting energy conservation and efficiency in City operations, resulting in substantial cost savings to City government and City schools; • Signing on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2006; and, • Adopting a resolution endorsing the development of renewable energy resources, including wind turbines, in Virginia in 2007; and WHEREAS , the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement specifically commits signatories to: • reduce global warming pollution; • increase the use of clean, alternative energy; • advocate for the development of renewable energy resources; • make energy efficiency a priority in municipal operations; and, • “help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution”; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Charlottesville shall: 1. Express to the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA)/Dominion Virginia Power its interest in purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources generally, and from the Highland New Wind project specifically; and, 2. Explore creation of a municipal aggregation program to demonstrate community demand for renewable energy alternatives; and, 3. Explore creative options for development of local Renewable Energy Generation Projects (defined by Dominion Virginia Power, which seeks to partner in the development of such projects, as “energy projects derived from sunlight, wind, falling water, sustainable biomass, energy from waste, wave motions, tides, and geothermal power”); and, 4. Redouble its efforts to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency within City and School operations; and, 5. Develop and implement a high-profile campaign, similar to the “Fresh Aire” initiative in Arlington, which promotes energy conservation and energy efficiency within the community at large; and, 6. Petition the Commonwealth of Virginia to create a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard for public utilities and, further, to place a moratorium on new coal- fired power plants (such as proposed for Wise County) and expansion of existing nuclear power plants (such as proposed for North Anna) until there has first been a significant expansion of investment in energy conservation and energy efficiency efforts and development of renewable energy alternatives. Through these kinds of investments we can obviate (or at least substantially delay) the need to increase our reliance on non- renewable, polluting energy sources. Finally, existing coal-fired power plants should also be retrofitted using newly-developed technologies to reduce harmful emissions. PUBLIC Dr. Joe Mooney said that VDOT proposed overbuilt plans for the Jefferson Park Avenue Bridge and after Mr. Lynch and Ms. Hamilton met with the neighborhood Council approved a neighborhood design. He said he appreciates their assistance. He said we do not know the fate of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, and suggested that the issue be referred to the City’s Environmental Sustainability Committee.