22-22RESOLUTION NO. 22-22
A RESOLUTION OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, TARGETING A
TRANSITION TO 100% RENEWABLE, ZERO -EMISSION, CLEAN
ENERGY ELECTRICITY FOR CITY OPERATIONS BY 2040 AND
CITYWIDE BY 2050; DECLARING AN INTENTION TO FORM
PARTNERSHIPS TO REACH THESE CLEAN ENERGY GOALS;
DIRECTING CITY STAFF TO TAKE MEASURES TO REACH
THESE CLEAN ENERGY GOALS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Federal Government's 2018 Fourth National Climate Assessment issued
dire warnings of the threat of climate change to infrastructure, ecosystems, economies, and social
systems that provide essential benefits to communities;
WHEREAS, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN IPCC),
the international community's most respected assemblage of scientists, has concluded that
human -induced climate change is affecting life-sustaining systems across the globe, leading to
accelerating sea -level rise, with cascading effects for ecosystems and human security;
WHEREAS, in a 2018 Special Report, the UN IPCC specified global goals of reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% by 2030 and to net zero emissions by 2050 in order to
prevent the growing threat of abrupt and irreversible climate change;
WHEREAS, Clearwater is a coastal community on the front lines of the environmental,
economic, and public health impacts of climate change, as seen in the form of sea -level rise,
storm surge, and rising temperatures;
WHEREAS, the cost of renewable, zero -emission, "clean" energy ("Clean Energy"),
including but not limited to energy derived from wind, solar, geothermal, and wave technology
sources, has fallen dramatically over the past decade -plus and is now less than that for fossil
fuels;
WHEREAS, the transition to Clean Energy represents an enormous economic opportunity
for Clearwater to save taxpayers money, create jobs in emerging industries, and expand
prosperity for residents, as well as provide actions to improve air and water quality and protect
public health;
WHEREAS, Clearwater's Greenprint Plan creates a vision to make the city of Clearwater
a vibrant community for current residents and future generations;
WHEREAS, Clearwater's Greenprint Plan calls for implementing strategies to reduce the
amount of energy used through efficiency improvements to existing buildings and the
development of new buildings to high-performance standards, coupled with shifting to renewable
energy sources;
WHEREAS, Clearwater has already demonstrated its support for renewable, zero
emission energy sources by the development of Greenprint 2.0;
WHEREAS, in 2015, the Sierra Club launched the "Ready for 100" Program, which
promotes 100% Clean Energy in the United States by 2050;
WHEREAS, nine states, fourteen counties, and 180 cities, including Dunedin, Largo,
Safety Harbor, and St. Petersburg, have joined the Ready for 100 Program;
WHEREAS, five counties and forty-six cities have already achieved the (100% Clean
Energy) goals of the Ready for 100 Program; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. It is the goal and policy of the City that 100% of all electricity consumed in city
operations be Clean Energy by 2040.
The City Council directs the City Manager to incorporate the Clean Energy Targets into the
respective planning processes of all departments. To that end, departments must update any
policy or processes necessary to meet the Clean Energy Targets.
Section 2. It is further the goal and policy of the City that 100% of all electricity consumed
citywide be Clean Energy by 2050.
The City Council directs the City Manager to work with residents, businesses, utility partners, and
community stakeholders to identify a collaborative approach for achieving the Clean Energy
Targets and set meaningful benchmarks and milestones between the Clean Energy Target Years
(2030, 2040, 2050).
Section 3. The City Council directs the City Manager to implement the Clean Energy
Targets with the Greenprint 2.0 Plan. The City Council further directs the City Manager to update
the City every two years on progress towards achieving the Clean Energy Targets, beginning in
Fiscal Year 2022.
Section 4. The City Council recognizes that the health and wellbeing of frontline
communities have suffered disproportionately from pollution resulting from fossil fuel generation
and distribution. Accordingly, the City Council directs the City Manager to build inclusive
community leadership and policy engagement; promote equity in accessing energy efficiency
improvements; generate sustainable economic opportunities and mitigate related losses; and
provide regional leadership to address equity in climate, energy, and related public health issues.
Section 5. This Resolution is effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day 15th of December, 2022.
Appr• -d as to farm:
44a(
Owen Kohler
Lead Assistant City Attorney
Frank V. Hibbard
Mayor
Attest:
-;"1-0( Ro emarie Call
City Clerk