* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Kraft
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Baltimore City Clean Energy Policy
Title
FOR the purpose of requesting that the City of Baltimore look into formulating a Clean Energy Policy and purchasing a form of clean renewable energy to benefit the City of Baltimore as well as its citizens.
Body
Recitals
The State of Maryland deregulated the electric utility industry on July 1, 2000, enabling electric customers to shop for competitive power. It is in the interest of Baltimore City to meet the federal air quality standards and in the best interest of its residents and businesses to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides and other air emissions that harm public health and the environment, in as cost-effective a manner as possible.
There exists a general consensus that electricity generated using "zero emissions" sources, such as solar power, wind, and certain small low impact hydroelectric sources, as clean, renewable, and has fewer environmental consequences than fossil fuel generated power.
Baltimore City recognizes that national energy security and the stability of our electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure can be enhanced through increased development of distributed energy resources. Baltimore City agencies, as an element of an aggregate, cooperative, competitive procurement of electrical supply, should make efforts to ensure that a portion of the electricity purchased in a competitive marketplace is derived from clean and renewable energy sources.
At least 5% of the City's total annual electric load should be supplied by clean renewable energy generated power. The clean power should be produced within the air shed affecting Baltimore City, and within a geographic area in sufficient proximity to Baltimore City to provide local air quality benefits to the City of Baltimore. The power should be generated by using zero-emissions new renewable energy resources, as defined by the "Green-e" Renewable Electricity Certification Program, such as solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy, that meets the eligibility requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership Program.
In the case of wind energy, the power will come from a wind power facility that has been examined and approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), or equivalent entities in other states, in regards to potential bird impacts, and where DNR or its equivalent has found that the impacts are likely to be low. The facility will need to remain in compliance with any conditions and mitigation obligations required by the Maryland Public Service Commission or its equivalent in other states. For those wind facilities constructed after the effective date of this resolution, the facilities must conduct studies as established by the guidelines of the National Wind Coordinating Committee for protecting birds and other wildlife, to the satisfaction of the DNR or its equivalent in other states.
The purchase of clean, renewable energy generated power should begin at the earliest date practicable and should continue through future electricity procurement. With the purchase of cleaner, more efficient energy, the current and future citizens of Baltimore City will be able to breath cleaner air, live healthier lives, and generally work to help create a greener and more energy efficient Baltimore City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests that the City of Baltimore look into formulating a Clean Energy Policy and purchasing a form of clean renewable energy to benefit the City of Baltimore as well as its citizens.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council and the Bureau of Purchases.
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