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Staff Reporter
cmacho@oakdaleleader.com
209-847-3021, ext. 8128
Members of the Oakdale City Council have unanimously voted to join other valley cities in a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), taking the action at their June 15 meeting in order to seek federal funds for the reduction of fossil fuel use.
Doug White, an attorney with a Santa Monica law firm, told the council the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated $3.2 billion to communities across the U.S. for block grants to implement projects to reduce total energy use. The program allows cities to loan money to property owners in order to finance renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency.
A number of smaller area cities have entered into an agreement as the Northern Central Valley Energy Improvement Joint Powers Authority. According to White, $29.7 million will be available. Large communities are able to apply for funds on their own, White said.
White told the council the program will establish renewable energy credits, which will allow cities to potentially trade in carbon credits. With such regulated markets, cities could trade carbon offsets obtained from property owners to others. White said the JPA will develop a carbon credit protocol that has the potential to monetize carbon credits.
Assembly Bill 32 — signed into law in 2006 — established regulatory and market mechanisms to limit the creation of greenhouse gases in the state. It mandates the reduction of carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Mandatory caps to carbon emissions will also be required by 2012 under the law.
“It’s the law now,” White said of the greenhouse gas question as it pertains to the issue of global warming.
Not all council members were enthusiastic about the proposal.
Council member Tom Dunlop said he believes such energy programs have the potential to drive business out of California. He also said the loan program appeared to be similar to a program established by Pacific Gas and Electric a few years ago where homeowners were provided loans to upgrade insulation, weather stripping, and other energy conservation improvements.
Dunlop said if the state was serious about the issue, they would embark on a program to build dams and nuclear power plants to address energy issues.
Dunlop said he would reluctantly vote for the proposal due to AB 32 requirements.
Doug White, an attorney with a Santa Monica law firm, told the council the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated $3.2 billion to communities across the U.S. for block grants to implement projects to reduce total energy use. The program allows cities to loan money to property owners in order to finance renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency.
A number of smaller area cities have entered into an agreement as the Northern Central Valley Energy Improvement Joint Powers Authority. According to White, $29.7 million will be available. Large communities are able to apply for funds on their own, White said.
White told the council the program will establish renewable energy credits, which will allow cities to potentially trade in carbon credits. With such regulated markets, cities could trade carbon offsets obtained from property owners to others. White said the JPA will develop a carbon credit protocol that has the potential to monetize carbon credits.
Assembly Bill 32 — signed into law in 2006 — established regulatory and market mechanisms to limit the creation of greenhouse gases in the state. It mandates the reduction of carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Mandatory caps to carbon emissions will also be required by 2012 under the law.
“It’s the law now,” White said of the greenhouse gas question as it pertains to the issue of global warming.
Not all council members were enthusiastic about the proposal.
Council member Tom Dunlop said he believes such energy programs have the potential to drive business out of California. He also said the loan program appeared to be similar to a program established by Pacific Gas and Electric a few years ago where homeowners were provided loans to upgrade insulation, weather stripping, and other energy conservation improvements.
Dunlop said if the state was serious about the issue, they would embark on a program to build dams and nuclear power plants to address energy issues.
Dunlop said he would reluctantly vote for the proposal due to AB 32 requirements.
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