Resolution 15329CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15329
URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT A FEDERAL
CARBON FEE AND DIVIDEND
WHEREAS, the average surface temperature has been increasing steadily, with
the warmest years ever recorded all occurring since 1998; and
WHEREAS, the climate scientists overwhelmingly agree that an increase in
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere — carbon dioxide (CO2) in particular — is causing
the increase in global temperature; and
WHEREAS, humans burning carbon -based fossil fuels — coal, oil, and natural gas
— is the primary cause of the substantial and continuing increase of CO2 in the
atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, in May 2013, the global atmospheric concentration of CO2 reached
400 parts per million — the highest level in the last 800,000 years; and
WHEREAS, it's predicted that by 2100 average global temperature will be 2*F or
higher than now depending on the level of future greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, climate change caused by global warming -related greenhouse gas
emissions including CO2 already is leading to large-scale problems including ocean
acidification and rising sea levels; more frequent, extreme, and damaging weather events
such as heat waves, storms, heavy rainfall and flooding, and droughts; more frequent and
intense wildfires; disrupted ecosystems affecting biodiversity and food production; and an
increase in heat -related deaths; and
WHEREAS, we are approaching a dangerous threshold whereby, if it is crossed,
humans will no longer be able to influence the course of future global warming, as tropical
forests, peat bogs, permafrost and the oceans switch from absorbing carbon to releasing
it; and
WHEREAS, the increase in global atmospheric CO2 concentration shows that
broader, more powerful policies are needed to supplement local and regional efforts to
reduce emissions; and
WHEREAS, burning fossil fuels also causes human health impacts by releasing
pollutants that cause lung disease, respiratory illnesses, and cancer; and
WHEREAS, presently the environmental, health, and social costs of CO2
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, the United State Congress can
enact a national carbon fee on fossil fuels, based on the amount of CO2 the fuel will emit
when burned; and
WHEREAS, for efficient administration, a fee on fossil fuels can be charged once,
as far upstream in the economy as practical, or at the port of entry into the United States;
and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee starting at a relatively low rate and increasing
steadily over future years is a market-based solution that is designed to minimally disrupt
the economy while sending a clear and predictable price signal to businesses to develop
and use non -carbon -based energy resources; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee would incentivize manufacturers, businesses,
and consumers throughout the economy to produce and use less fossil fuel, and would
spur investment in and deployment of clean energy resources and energy efficient
processes, without favoring any particular technology, and would thereby reduce CO2
emissions to the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, job creation from development of clean energy and energy efficiency
businesses would be expected to exceed job creation from further development of fossil
fuel businesses; and
WHEREAS, according to Citizen's Climate Lobby, if 100 percent of the carbon fee
revenue is returned to households in equal shares, approximately two-thirds of Americans
will break even or come out ahead, as their dividends match or exceed direct and indirect
price increases due to the fee, protecting lower and middle income households; and
WHEREAS, border adjustments — carbon content -based tariffs on products
imported from countries without comparable carbon pricing, and refunds to our exporters
of carbon fees paid — should maintain the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in global
markets; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee may be implemented quickly and efficiently, and
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, a national carbon tax would make the United States a leader in
mitigating climate change and in the clean energy technologies of the 21 st Century, and
would incentivize other countries to enact similar carbon taxes, reducing global CO2
emissions without the need for complex international agreements; and
WHEREAS, the goals of a national carbon tax to reduce CO2 emissions and
transition to a green economy are consistent with state and local programs designed to
mitigate climate change, such as California's AB32 and Alameda's Climate Action Plan;
and
WHEREAS, the market incentive provided by a steadily rising national carbon tax
implemented in 2015 can result in significant and increasing near-term reductions in
overall U.S. CO2 emissions, and thereby help Alameda to meet or exceed its own goals;
and
WHEREAS, continued widespread use of fossil fuels and global climate change
pose a present and growing risk to the health and welfare of Alameda residents and to its
economy, and a U.S. national, revenue -neutral carbon fee will significantly mitigate those
risks and promote health and prosperity in our City, region, and world.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that:
The Alameda City Council urges the United States Congress to enact a federal
carbon fee and dividend; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the tax should be collected once, as far
upstream in the economy as practical, or at the port of entry into the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the tax rate should start low and increase
steadily and predictably, to achieve the goal of reducing U.S. CO2 emissions to 10% of
1990 levels by 2050; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all tax revenue should be returned to
households to protect low and middle income Americans from the impact of rising prices
due to the tax; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the international competitiveness of U.S.
businesses should be protected by using border tariffs and tax refunds.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular meeting
assembled on the 5th day of December 2017, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and
Mayor Spencer — 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official
seal of said City this 6th day of December 2017.
Lara Weisiger, City GIbrk
City of Alameda
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Janet C.j/ rn, City Attorney
City of Alameda