Resolution No. 5065 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Asia will extend the period of time that Asian nations are reliant on coal, resulting in greater worldwide GHG emissions and other air pollution. It is difficult to see how exporting coal fits into the larger strategy of moving to a lower carbon future. I. The City of Eugene is a leader in the fight for clean air, and against climate change, by signing on to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, creating our award - winning Community Climate and Energy Action Plan (LEAP), and by establishing Council goals to become carbon neutral in City -owned facilities and operations by 2020, and to reduce community -wide fossil fuel use by 50% by 2030. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: Section 1. While we strongly support the use of rail on the Coos Bay Rail Link for freight, and the resulting jobs at the Port of Coos Bay; we find that coal trains through our City will have adverse social, economic, and environmental consequences for Eugene without much, if any, economic benefit to our community. Allowing coal trains to pass through our City is not compatible with the City's efforts to improve air quality, enhance public health, and promote local food production. Section 2. Exporting coal to Asia for electricity production is inconsistent with Eugene's efforts to reduce GHG emissions that cause climate change, move toward a lower carbon future, and to create clean energy jobs. Section 3 . The City of Eugene shall explore whether there are local, state or federal laws protecting public health, safety, and air and water quality that can be used to prevent the transport of coal through the City, and if so, take reasonable steps to prevent that transport. Section 4. We fully support Governor Kitzhaber's request that a federal agency prepare a programmatic and comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act to look at the unprecedented number of coal export proposals pending in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the potential effects in this country of the use of coal in Asia. Now is the time for a programmatic EIS, before substantial and irreversible commitments of resources are made. Section 5 . The City of Eugene joins the call for review of a comprehensive, independent, health impact assessment before any permits are approved for any proposed coal export project. Section 6. This resolution shall be sent to Governor Kitzhaber, Senators Wyden and Merkley, Congressman DeFazio, Secretary of the Interior Salazar, Secretary of the Army McHugh, General Temple of the US Army Corp of Engineers, Director Abbey of the Bureau of Land Management, our local state legislative delegation; and the City shall lobby on its behalf where appropriate. Resolution - Page 2 of 3