HomeMy WebLinkAbout18874 - RESOLUTIONS - 7/17/1996 RESOLUTION NO. 18874
OF THE CITY' COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING A RENEWABLE PORTFOLIIO STANDARD
AS PROPOSED IN ASSEMBLY BILL, 1202, AS AMENDED. '
WHEREAS the cost of power from wind and other renewable resources has fallen
dramatically since 1980; and
WHEREAS a deregulated electric market is unlikely to be perfectly competitive for many
years if utility "stranded" costs are granted; and
WHEREAS even perfectly competitive markets will not adequately recognize the
economic, environmental and fuel diversity benefits of renewable energy resources; and
WHEREAS transitionary electricity markets may impact the City's existing; wind energy
projects and cloud future development of renewable resources within the County; and
WHEREAS the wind industry contributes $1.3 million in property taxes annually to
Riverside County; and
WHEREAS, without appropriate policy support, wind could be replaced with out-of-state
coal, gas and hydro generation, with jobs transferred out of the state; and
WHEREAS, with continued investment., wind energy could become the: lowest cost ,
energy resource available, bringing significant benefits to City and California consumers;
and
WHEREAS the Renewabtes Portfolio Standard (RPS) as put forward by the American
Wind Energy Association is a market.-based policy that ensures that the values of wind
and other renewable energy resources will not be lost as electricity markets become more
competitive; and
WHEREAS the RPS ensures that a minimum amount of renewable energy ;is included in
the energy portfolio serving the state, while relying entirely on private market actors for
its implementation; and
WHEREAS market implementation of the RPS will result in competition, efficiency and
innovation that will deliver renewable energy to California consumers at the lowest
possible cost; and
WHEREAS the RPS policy concept was adopted by the Public Utilities Commission in
its December 1995 electric industry restructuring decision; and
WHEREAS the California Public Utilities Commission and the California State '
Legislature need to enact the RPS policy now to preserve California's renewable energy
infrastructure.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs, as follows:
Res. No. 18874
Page 2
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Section 1. That the Palm Springs City Council supports more competitive electricity
markets and a Renewables Portfolio Standard to ensure that competition serves the
' overall public interest, including support for clean renewable energy.
Section 2. That the Palm Springs City Council urges the California State Legislature to
adopt a Renewables Portfolio Standard as proposed in Assembly Bill 1202, as amended.
ADOPTED this 17th day of JOY , 1996.
AYES: Members Barnes, Hodges, Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst
NOES: None
ABSENT: Member Oden
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By
City Clerk City Mana er
REVIEWED & APPROVED AS TO FORM i
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