Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* 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
Introduced by: Councilmember Conway
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
City Operations - Net-Zero Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
For the purpose of making City operations achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050; defining certain terms; authorizing rules and regulations; and generally related to the City’s emission of greenhouse gasses.
body
By repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 1 - Mayor, Council, and Agencies
Sections 34-1 and 34-9
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
By repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 5 - Finance, Property, and Procurement
Section 34-5
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 1. Mayor, Council, and Agencies
Subtitle 34. Baltimore City Office of Sustainibility
§ 34-1. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) Director.
“Director” means the Director of Planning or the Director’s designee.
(c) Greenhouse gas.
“Greenhouse gas” includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
(d) [(c)] “Includes”; “Including”.
“Includes” or “including” means by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
(e) Net-zero emissions.
“Net-zero emissions” means the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions with emissions off-sets that cause an equivalent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
(f) [(d)] Office.
“Office” means the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability.
§ 34-9. Sustainability and Environmental Management Program.
(a) Office to develop.
The Office shall develop a Sustainability and Environmental Management Program for the City.
(b) Components.
(1) The Program shall incorporate the Sustainability Plan developed by the Commission on Sustainability and any other recommendations made by the Commission.
(2) The Program shall include appropriate measures for:
(i) developing, implementing, and coordinating City policies that
make all City operations achieve, by January 1, 2050, net-zero
emissions, as defined in § 34-1(e) of this subtitle;
(ii) [(i)] developing or coordinating City policies and programs that will improve environmental performance in City operations;
(iii) [(ii)] facilitating the City’s compliance with federal, state, and local
environmental regulations;
(iv) [(iii)] advancing the City’s environmental priorities;
(v) [(iv)] integrating sustainability and environmental values into City plans,
programs, and policies; and
(vi) [(v)] setting sustainability and environmental targets and objectives for the
City.
(c) Implementation.
The Office shall oversee implementation of the Program.
Baltimore City Code
Article 5. Finance, Property, and Procurement
Subtitle 34. Commission on Sustainability
§ 34-5. Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.
The Commission’s Comprehensive Sustainability Plan shall:
(1) discuss all elements of sustainability, including air quality, water quality, resource conservation and recycling, energy, public health, environmental justice, reduction of greenhouse emissions, and increasing use of alternative means of transportation;
(2) establish 3-, 5-, and10-year sustainability targets, including making City
government operations achieve, by January 1, 2050, net-zero emissions, as defined in City Code Article 1, § 34-1(e);
(3) create public and private sustainability initiatives, to include but not limited to standards for city purchasing, incentives for citizens and businesses to recycle and purchase recycled goods, incentives for energy conservation, and water quality improvements;
(4) describe the resources and responsible agencies and others needed to implement the Plan;
(5) include a public information component;
(6) establish key sustainability indicators to track progress of Plan implementation; and
(7) set criteria and recommend mandatory measures for annual reporting to the City Council on:
(i) Energy Consumption Reports, as required in City Code Article 5, § 45-2;
(ii) Comprehensive Recycling and Composting Plan, as prescribed in City Code Article 23, § 16-2; and
(iii) greenhouse gas emissions reduction reports.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.