CC 02-16-2021 Oral Communications_Written CommunicationsCC 02-16-21
Oral
Communications
Written Comments
1
Lauren Sapudar
From:Dan Marshall <danmarshall22@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, February 13, 2021 2:44 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fwd: At the Feb 16 city council meeting we intend to ask the Council to endorse a climate change
proposal
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sender and know the content is safe.
FYI, I sent this to CityCouncil@Cupertino.org. I wasn't certain whether you were included in
the CityCouncil@Cupertino.org distribution list.
Dan Marshall
408-859-6628
See a two minute video about a promising approach to addressing climate change.
Or an even clearer nine minute one created by a high school senior.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Dan Marshall <danmarshall22@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Subject: At the Feb 16 city council meeting we intend to ask the Council to endorse a climate change proposal
To: <citycouncil@cupertino.org>
Cc: John Ennals <djsennals@gmail.com>, Andre Duurvoort <AndreD@cupertino.org>, Gilee Corral
<gileec@cupertino.org>, <ASanks@cupertino.org>
Hello City Council members,
Thank you for your service to our city.
At the Feb 16 meeting my friend John Ennals and I plan to use 3 minutes each to ask you to
endorse a statement which will be sent to our Congressman and two Senators. The message is
stating that our city supports passing a bill to address climate change at the federal level.
A draft of the endorsement statement is here in case you would like to consider it before the
meeting. The document's permissions should permit you to insert comments if you wish.
Dan Marshall
408-859-6628
1
CITY OF CUPERTINO
RESOLUTION NO. XXX (2021)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
IN SUPPORT OF A CARBON FEE AND DIVIDEND NATIONAL POLICY
TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE
WHEREAS, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities, including the burning of
fossil fuels, are causing rising global temperatures; and
WHEREAS, climate.NASA.gov says that 19 of the Earth's 20 warmest years on record have
happened since 2001; and
WHEREAS, climate.NASA.gov says that the global atmospheric concentration of carbon
dioxide (C02) exceeded 414 parts per million (ppm) in November 2020, the highest level in 650,000
years; and
WHEREAS, fire.ca.gov reports that in 2020 California experienced almost 10,000 fires
destroying 4.2 million acres and 7 of the 20 most deadly fires in California history have been since
2017; and
WHEREAS, in Cupertino we can, and are, taking local steps to reduce global warming; but
WHEREAS, national policy is required to achieve the substantive change required; and
WHEREAS, Climate Leadership Council says that 3,500 US Economists (including 4 former
chairs of the Federal Reserve, 28 Nobel Laureate Economists, 15 Former Chairs of the Council of
Economic Advisers) have endorsed a national climate policy including a carbon tax with the revenues
returned to citizens; and
WHEREAS, The IPPC Special Report, Global Warming of 1.5°C (pg 377) says “Explicit
carbon prices remain a necessary condition of ambitious climate policies'', though additional measures
likely will be necessary. (IPCC is the Intergovernmental Panel of the United Nations, focused on
Climate Change); and
WHEREAS, The US Chamber of Commerce announced 1/19/21, “"Clearly, there is consensus
favoring a market based approach as opposed to a command and control regulatory approach. That is
clearly the preferable path."; and
WHEREAS, the Cupertino City Council demonstrated the city’s commitment to addressing
climate change when they approved Cupertino’s Climate Action Plan in 2015 as a strategy to put Cupertino
on the path to achieve a 15% reduction in carbon emissions by the year 2020, 49% reduction by 2035 and
83% by 2050; and
Resolution No. XXX (YYYY) Page 2 of 3
National Carbon Fee and Dividend on Fossil Fuels to address Climate Change
WHEREAS, the Cupertino City Council passed Resolution No. 18-094 on September 18, 2018,
declaring a climate emergency and calling on the State of California, the United States, and all
governments worldwide to initiate an emergency mobilization effort to mitigate climate change, stop
rising greenhouse gas emissions, and immediately initiate an effort to safely draw down carbon from the
atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee will benefit the economy, human health, the environment, and
national security as a result of correcting market distortions, reducing toxic pollutants, reducing the
outflow of dollars to oil-producing countries, and improving the energy security of the United States;
and
WHEREAS, a phased-in carbon fee on GHG emissions 1) is an efficient, transparent, and
enforceable mechanism to drive an effective and fair transition to a renewable energy economy, 2) will
incentivize manufacturers, businesses, and consumers throughout the economy to produce and use less
fossil fuel, and 3) will stimulate investment in alternative-energy; and
WHEREAS, equal monthly dividends (or "rebates") from the funds generated by the carbon fee
paid to every American household can help ensure that families and individuals can afford the energy
they need during the transition to a GHG-free economy, and these dividends also will stimulate the
economy; and
WHEREAS, enacting a national carbon fee would make the United States a leader in mitigating
climate change and in the clean energy technologies of the 21 century, and would incentivize other
countries to enact a similar carbon fee, reducing global GHG emissions; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee, starting at a low rate and increasing steadily over future
years, is a market-based solution that would minimally disrupt the economy while sending a clear and
predictable price signal to businesses to develop and use non-carbon-based energy resources; and
WHEREAS, a fee on fossil fuels can be assessed once, as far upstream as possible in the
economy as practical, or at the port of entry to the United States, for efficient administration; and
WHEREAS, border adjustments levied on carbon-based products imported from countries
without comparable carbon pricing, and refunds to exporters, will help level the playing field and
maintain the competitiveness of United States' businesses in global markets; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon fee can be implemented quickly and efficiently, and respond to
the urgency of the climate crisis, because the federal government already has in place mechanisms, such
as the Internal Revenue Service, needed to implement and enforce the fee, and already collects taxes
from fossil fuel producers and importers; and
Resolution No. XXX (YYYY) Page 3 of 3
National Carbon Fee and Dividend on Fossil Fuels to address Climate Change
WHEREAS, Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy released a report in Nov
2019 analyzing the impacts of a Carbon Fee and Dividend Policy; and
WHEREAS, Columbia’s report says Compared to 2005 levels, implementing a Carbon Fee and Dividend
policy leads to economy-wide net GHG emissions reductions of 36–38 percent by 2030, which exceeds
the US commitments to the Paris Agreement over this period; and
WHEREAS, if 100% of the carbon fee revenue is returned to households in equal shares,
approximately two-thirds of Americans will break even or come out ahead, as their dividends will match
or exceed direct and indirect price increases due to the fee, protecting lower and middle income
households; and
WHEREAS, continued widespread use of fossil fuels and impacts due to climate change pose a
present and growing risk to the residents of Cupertino; and
WHEREAS, a nation-wide, revenue-neutral carbon fee will significantly mitigate those risks and
promote the health, safety, and prosperity of communities in Cupertino, across the United States, and
around the world; and
WHEREAS, The city of Cupertino is particularly exposed to climate change related increased
risk of wildfire on our hillside properties; and
WHEREAS; The city of Cupertino is also exposed to increased risk of heavy rain events that
will cause flooding along our creeks, Stevens and Calabazas, due to climate change.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO,
CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES that:
1. The City Council urges the Congress of the United State to enact, without delay, a revenue
neutral fee on carbon-based fossil fuels.
2. The fee should be collected once, as far upstream in the economy as practical, or at the port
of entry into the United States.
3. The fee rate should start low and increase steadily and predictably with the goal of reducing
carbon dioxide emissions in the United States to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050,
4. All fee revenue should be returned to households to protect low and middle income
Americans from the impact of rising prices due to the fee.
5. The international competitiveness of the United States businesses should be protected by
using border tariffs and fee refunds.
6. In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378
(b)(5), participating in the effort is an administrative activity that will not impact the
environment and is therefore not a project subject to CEQA.
Resolution No. XXX (YYYY) Page 4 of 3
National Carbon Fee and Dividend on Fossil Fuels to address Climate Change
RESOLUTION NO. 111 (2021) adopted by the City Council of the City of Cupertino, California, at a
regular meeting held on MMM DD, YYYY, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES: Council Members Name, Name, Name, Name
NOES: Council Members Name, Name, Name, Name
ABSENT: None
ATTEST
Clerk Name: City Clerk
Mayor Name: Cupertino City Mayor
1
Lauren Sapudar
From:Shani Kleinhaus <shani@scvas.org>
Sent:Tuesday, February 16, 2021 11:37 AM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Audubon Presentation for tonight CC
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
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Dear Kirsten,
Please find 3 slides that I would like to present to Council tonight here
for ORAL COMMUNICATIONS?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KR_0fA1cKrH072aQUuJNukz3hn‐
Gf0Gs/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1KR_0fA1cKrH072aQUuJNukz3hn‐Gf0Gs/view?usp=sharing
In addition can you tell me if it is possible to show this video?
https://ebird.org/science/status-and-trends/gocspa/abundance-map-weekly
Thank you,
Shani
Shani Kleinhaus, Ph.D.
Environmental Advocate
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
22221 McClellan Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
650‐868‐2114
advocate@scvas.org
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Harmful Impacts of
Light Pollution
●Pervasive impacts to Ecosystem health, plants and animals
●Physical and mental health, sleep, growth
●Dark sky /Astronomy
●Waste of Energy
cityclerk@cupertino.org p
Light: Spectrum and Heat
The damage caused to
biological organisms by
“Cold” light is greater than
“Warm” light”
Dark Sky Assoc.
recommends no more than
3000K, Softlight research
suggests 2700K is healthier
1
Lauren Sapudar
From:Connie Cunningham <cunninghamconniel@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 16, 2021 4:27 PM
To:City Council
Subject:Oral Communications Feb 2, 2021 City Council
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
sender and know the content is safe.
February 2, 2021 Oral Communications, City Council Meeting
Dear Mayor Paul, Vice Mayor Chao and Cupertino Council Members,
My name is Connie Cunningham
Lived her 34 years
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Member for a decade.
I am speaking tonight to support the many migrating birds that pass through or winter in Cupertino.
I will show photographs and migration patterns for two of them, the Golden-crowned Sparrow and the Ruby-
crowned Kinglet. There are many more of these, including the American Robin, Cedar Waxwings, White-
crowned Sparrows, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Golden-crowned Sparrow 7 inches long
Flies 2,572 mi
Distance from Nome to Cupertino
Breeds in Alaska including the Aleutian Islands then in winter flies to California, including
Cupertino
I see them every year in my neighborhood.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet , 4 inches long and flies
Breeds in Alaska to Canada
Then flies south thru the US including, Cupertino, and to Mexico.
Across the US
2
One of my favorite photos in my personal collection is this Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Cupertino.
Migrating birds as well as young birds are most likely to run into glass or be distracted by bright night lights.
Glass and lighting are a deadly combination.
I urge you to approve the Bird-safety Design and Dark Skies Ordinance when it comes to Council.
Sincerely, Connie Cunningham