TITLE
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF GAHANNA TO BECOME A POWER A CLEAN FUTURE OHIO COMMUNITY AND ADOPTING A GOAL TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN THE CITY OF GAHANNA
BODY
WHEREAS, Power a Clean Future Ohio is an expansive, diverse coalition engaging with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio to build a clean future for Ohio communities, and empowers local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical; and
WHEREAS, steps taken toward carbon emissions also aim to improve community quality of life, building community capital and increasing government efficiency, accountability, and transparency; and
WHEREAS, local governments have the unique opportunity to achieve both energy use and carbon emission reductions and cost savings through building and facilities management; land use and transportation planning; and through economic and community development; and
WHEREAS, efforts to address energy and climate issues provide an opportunity to move toward energy self-reliance and greater community resiliency and quality of life; provide environmentally healthy and cheaper-to-operate public buildings and spaces; encourage new economic development and local jobs; and support local renewable energy production; and
WHEREAS, climate changes have been observed in Ohio and have the potential to negatively impact local, regional and state economies; infrastructure development; habitat; ecological communities, including native fish and wildlife populations; spread invasive species and exotic diseases; reduce drinking water supplies and recreational opportunities; and pose flooding, drought and health threats to our citizens; and
WHEREAS, uncertainty in energy prices and the transition away from fossil fuel energy sources present new challenges and opportunities to both the City of Gahanna and to the economic health of its citizens and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Gahanna will seek to create an energy efficient community by pursuing renewable energy, transportation electrification, and other initiatives: and
WHEREAS, Power a Clean Future Ohio assists in facilitating technical assistance for the implementation of these carbon reduction policies; and
WHEREAS, Power a Clean Future Ohio provides cost-effective sustainable development policies in the following four categories: (1) Renewable Energy; (2) Energy Efficiency; (3) Transportation Electrification; and (4) Land Use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council does hereby authorize the City of Gahanna (the City) to participate in Power a Clean Future Ohio that offers a free, voluntary continuous improvement framework.
Section 2. The City is hereby committed to a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the City of Gahanna by 50% of 2010 levels by 2030 and is committed to developing a plan within twelve (12) months of the adoption of this resolution to achieve that goal.
Section 3. The City will develop a plan that lays out a roadmap for the City of Gahanna and will proactively seek input from the community in the development of this plan and on the methods to achieve the stated goal of reducing greenhouse emissions.
Section 4. The City wishes to provide energy choice aggregation options for its residents through 100% renewables and therefore directs Power a Clean Future Ohio to recommend a plan to achieve that goal.
Section 5. The Mayor agrees to appoint a staff member to serve as the City’s PCFO coordinator for implementation within 7 days of the approval of this resolution and identified the Sustainability Task Force as the city’s PCFO coordination team; and
Section 6. The City will facilitate the involvement of community members in an equitable way and other units of government as appropriate in the planning, promoting and/or implementing outcomes from this effort; and
Section 7. The City will claim credit for having implemented and will work at its own pace toward implementing any policies from two of the PCFO policy categories that will result in carbon emission reductions, cost savings, and quality of life improvement.
Section 8. The City will provide feedback once a year on how well PCFO is serving the city and on city needs from the program; and
Section 9. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect at the earliest period allowed by law.