Drafter
Clerk 08/26/2010
Title
A MOTION supporting full funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
Body
WHEREAS, the nation faces unprecedented energy challenges, including escalating energy costs and overdependence on foreign oil, and
WHEREAS, investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy is critical in positioning America to be competitive in the global economy, increasing American energy independence, building sustainable communities and creating new local jobs, and
WHEREAS, commercial, residential and public buildings are responsible for more than forty percent of greenhouse gas emissions nationwide, and local governments are best suited to strengthen building codes, foster community-scale renewable energy and create other programs and incentives to increase efficiency and reduce energy use in buildings, and
WHEREAS, the transportation sector produces one third of greenhouse gas emissions, and cities and counties can substantially reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled by promoting public transit, converting municipal fleets to alternative fuels and more fuel efficient vehicles and conducting more-effective land use and transportation planning, and
WHEREAS, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L.110-140) established a new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program at the United States Department of Energy, authorizing two billion dollars annually in formula grants to cities, counties and states to develop and implement energy-efficiency strategies, and
WHEREAS, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (P.L. 111-5) provided three billion two hundred million dollars for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program to help communities decrease energy use, curb greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs, and
WHEREAS, local governments are successfully utilizing their American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds, and
WHEREAS, King County received just over $6 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds that the county has leveraged to secure over twenty-five million dollars of federal, local, and private funds for projects that are saving energy, saving people money, creating jobs, and reducing or dependence on fossil fuels that pollute the environment and contribute to climate change, and
WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties have adopted resolutions and policies supporting full funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. King County supports the Energy Block Grants Work! campaign and will work to demonstrate to the President of the United States, the United States Department of Energy and Congress that the county is effectively using its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to decrease energy use, curb greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs.
B. .King County urges President Obama and Congress to fully fund the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program in fiscal year 2012.
C. The council hereby expresses its intent to include support for full funding for the
Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant program in federal fiscal year 2012 as part of King County's 2011 federal legislative agenda.