M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Mayor Peggy R. Bell
Date: November 18, 2015
Re: Supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Clean Power Plan Rule
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S (THE “EPA”) CLEAN POWER PLAN RULE FOR PURPOSES OF SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT THREATEN THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGION THROUGH CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE AND OPPOSING ANY REQUESTS THAT THE CLEAN POWER PLAN RULE BE STAYED DURING PERIODS OF LEGAL CHALLENGE OR LITIGATION; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On August 3, 2015 the President of the United States and the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) announced the federal Clean Power Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is a historic and important step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants and one that takes action to limit human-induced climate change(s).
Specifically, the EPA is establishing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission performance rates representing the best system of emission reduction for two subcategories of existing fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units and stationary combustion turbines. The EPA’s final established guidelines will require States to develop plans to reduce greenhouse gas.
Additional information regarding the details of the Clean Power Plan Rule can be read at:
<http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/clean-power-plan-final-rule>
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution in support of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan Rule.