SR-510-008
CP:SM:F:\EPWM\ADMIN\STAFFRPT\EarthDA1.doc
Council Meeting: February 22, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Supporting the Earth Day 2000
Clean Energy Agenda and Approve City of Santa Monica Co-Sponsorship
of Three Public Events Related to Earth Day 2000
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the Earth
Day 2000 Clean Energy Agenda and approve co-sponsorship and financial support for
three regional public events celebrating Earth Day and promoting actions related to the
environmental sustainability of communities.
DISCUSSION
The first Earth Day in 1970 led to a heightened national awareness of the need to
sustain a healthy natural environment and to protect our natural resources. Thirty years
later, the Earth Day 2000 celebration is focused on gathering new commitments from
local and regional governments to participate in and promote energy efficiency and
renewable energy programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Earth Day
2000 Clean Energy Agenda seeks to accelerate the transition to renewable energy
sources and a sustainable energy future by eliminating waste and phasing out fossil
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fuels and nuclear power. The Clean Energy Agenda requests commitment to the
following four major policy goals:
Clean Power -- In the next decade, increase by four-fold the amount of energy obtained
from non-hydro renewable sources such as the sun and wind. By 2020, produce at
least one-third of the nation?s energy from renewable sources and double the efficiency
of energy use in homes, buildings, transportation, and industry.
Clean Air -- Set more stringent limits on power plant pollution including carbon dioxide
and close the loophole that allows older coal-fired power plants to emit more pollutants
than newer plants.
Clean Cars -- Hold sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks and mini-vans to the same air
pollution standards as cars. Improve fuel efficiency of all vehicles to a combined
average of 45 MPG by 2010 and at least 65 MPG by 2020. Offer federal government
incentives that build strong markets for renewable fuels and for clean vehicles powered
by hybrid motors, electricity and fuel cells.
Clean Investments -- Increase by four-fold federal investments in renewable energy and
energy efficiency. Cease subsidies to the coal, petroleum, and nuclear industries and
provide adequate resources and job training for affected workers and communities to
ensure a just transition to a sustainable energy economy.
On October 12, 1999, City Council adopted a Strategic Energy Plan that recommended
five strategies aimed at achieving a sustainable energy future for Santa Monica. Since
adoption of the Strategic Energy Plan, staff has been engaged in the identification and
development of several energy efficiency programs to be included within a
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demonstration project by Santa Monica, Irvine and Southern California Edison using
public goods funds collected by SCE from electric utility customers. Council will receive
more information on these programs in the coming months. Santa Monica?s adopted
Strategic Energy Plan and each of the proposed energy efficiency programs are fully
consistent with the Earth Day 2000 Clean Energy Agenda.
Support for Public Events Related to Earth Day 2000
Staff has identified three Earthy Day 2000 public events which merit co-sponsorship and
financial support by the City of Santa Monica due to their complimentary interface with
existing City programs and policies . These three events are EarthFaire 2000, BayWalk
& KelpFest 2000, and the Southern California Council on Environment and
Development Earth Day 2000 Conference. The total proposed City financial
sponsorship amount for these three events is $50,000.
EarthFaire 2000 -- Heal the Bay and the County of Los Angeles are the two main
sponsors of this event which will be held on April 22 at Exposition Park in the City of Los
Angeles. EarthFaire is a high profile, regional, all-day festival which features
entertainment, environmental art exhibitions, children?s interactive educational activities,
an alternative fuel vehicle parade, and various sponsor and non-profit booths dedicated
to environmental education. The theme of this year?s event is ?Sustainability? and it will
promoted extensively in the media. It is recommended that The City co-sponsor the
event at a financial support level of $20,000.
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BayWalk & KelpFest 2000 -- This event will occur on May 26 and May 27 in the City of
Santa Monica and is organized by the Santa Monica Baykeeper. The event will include
BayWalk, an environmental workshop and massive beach cleanup by several
thousand students, and KelpFest which features booths and activities by various
sponsors and non-profit organizations, an extensive Kelp Education presentation, a
recreation of a Chumash village, and a BayWalk and KelpFest pollution prevention
contest in association with the SMMUSD. It is recommended that the City co-sponsor
the event at a financial support level of $20,000.
SCCED?s Earth Day 2000 Conference -- The Southern California Council on
Environment and Development is organizing a major conference to be held on May 6
with the title of ?Building Alliances for a Sustainable Future?. The conference will focus
on reshaping state, local and national policies to create environmental solutions in the
areas of clean energy, clean transportation, and community sustainability. Santa
Monica?s programs will be highlighted during the conference. It is recommended that
the City co-sponsor the event at a financial support level of $10,000.
In addition to the May conference, SCCED and Santa Monica will convene an April
workshop for local government officials and members of the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) centered on the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection Program, of which Santa
Monica is a charter member. This workshop will introduce the program and help cities
join in becoming a part of the solution to global warming. The workshop will also focus
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on implementation of a broad array of cost-effective environmental programs by local
governments.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
The total budget impact from the recommendations in this report will be the expenditure
of existing budgeted funds in the amount of $50,000. These funds are available in the
following EPWM Department accounts:
31661.555060 $30,000
31662.522540 $20,000
TOTAL AVAILABLE $50,000
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Council adopt the attached resolution supporting the Earth Day
2000 Clean Energy Agenda and approve co-sponsorship and funding support for the
three Earth Day 2000 public events described above.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works
Management Department
Susan Munves, Resource Efficiency Coordinator
Attachment: Resolution for Adoption
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