Resolution 2021-31899RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31899
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING
SUPPORT FOR THE FEDERAL ENERGY INNOVATION AND
CARBON DIVIDEND ACT OF 2021 (H.R. 2307) AS AN
IMPORTANT APPROACH TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND EXPAND THE
ADOPTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 75% of total
U.S. greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions are caused from fuel combustion for the production of
energy; and
WHEREAS, special report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change concluded that carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels
by 2030, and reach net zero by 2050 in order to stabilize a 1.5 degree Celsius temperature
increase to prevent disastrous effects on global climate, ecosystems, and human societies; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government's Fourth Climate Assessment ("Assessment"),
released in November 2018, reported that the impacts of climate change are already being felt in
communities across the country and that more frequent, intense impacts are expected; and
WHEREAS, the Assessment described that GHG emissions from human activities are the
main contributor to observed climate change and its hazardous impacts; and
WHEREAS, any and all efforts possible must be made to prevent a 1.5 degree Celsius
increase in average global temperature, and cities must play a major role in reaching this goal;
and
WHEREAS, holding the increase in global average temperature to these levels would
significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change; and
WHEREAS, House Resolution No. 2307, entitled "Energy Innovation and Carbon
Dividend Act" ("H.R. 2307"), was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2021
to assess a national fossil fuel carbon fee on fossil fuels on the producers or importers of fossil
fuels based on the greenhouse gas content of the fuel and allocate a portion of the collected fee
as dividend payments to all U.S. households; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 2307 sets the carbon fee rate at $15 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent
(CO2e) emissions and proposes a yearly increase in the carbon rate fee of $10 per ton of CO2e
each year, with the possibility to adjust the carbon rate fee depending on the rate of targeted
emissions reduction; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City") has already taken steps to aggressively
address climate change and renewable energy, and to reduce our community' s carbon
emissions, by completing an annual citywide and government operations GHG emissions
inventory, streamlining the permitting process for solar installations, and providing a PACE
Program for residents and businesses to fund energy-efficient home improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City's annual GHG inventory demonstrates that the majority of emissions
community wide and in government operations are a result of energy consumption; and
WHEREAS, the City is currently developing a climate action plan which includes setting
GHG emissions reduction targets and prioritizing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
community wide; and
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2019 the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution
No. 2019-31040, declaring a Climate Emergency, urging the State of Florida and the U.S.
government to declare a Climate Emergency, and requesting regional collaboration on an
immediate just transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate; and
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2021, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution
No. 2021-31575, endorsing several pledges (Under2 Coalition, United Nations (UN) Climate
Change's Climate Neutral Now, and C40 Race to Zero) to further commit to GHG emissions
reductions while planning for the challenges of climate change; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2021, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No.
2021-31664, recognizing the effects of climate change caused by human activity, and approving
the City's joint effort with the City of Miami, Florida, to establish a climate action goal to achieve
net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission support H.R. 2307, as it encourages market-
driven innovation of clean energy technologies and market efficiencies to help reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby declare
support for the Federal Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2021 (H.R. 2307) as an
important approach to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the adoption of
renewable energy.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13 day of 06449`jP✓ 2021
ATTEST:
OCT 1 5 2021
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(sponsored by Commissioner Micky Steinberg)
Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
—C:)?—
City Attorney( Qr 6—:31 — Z)
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Date'
Resolutions - R7 G
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: October 13, 2021
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DECLARING SUPPORT FOR THE FEDERAL
ENERGY INNOVATION AND CARBON DIVIDEND ACT OF 2021 (H.R. 2307)
AS AN IMPORTANT APPROACH TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND EXPAND THE ADOPTION OF
RENEWABLE ENERGY.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROU NDIHISTORY
The Energy !nnovation and Carbon Dividend Act is bi-partisan national climate legislation introduced
by Representative Ted Deutch (D -FL -22) as House Resolution 2307 ("H.R. 2307'). H.R. 2307 has
79 current co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, including 28 original co-sponsors. This bill
imposes a fee on the carbon content of fossil fuels which include crude oil, natural gas, and coal and
it is imposed on the producers or importers of the fuels. The fee is calculated by multiplying the
greenhouse gas content of the fuel by the carbon fee rate. Per H.R. 2307, the carbon fee rate begins
at $15 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2021, and then increases by $10 each
year after that. The carbon fee rate is subject to additional modifications based on the rate of
targeted emissions reduction. The collected fees go into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund to be utilized
for administrative expenses and to pay dividends to U.S. citizens or lawful residents.
The City of Miami Beach has an extensive legislative history of adopting policies that support
community -wide GHG emissions reduction and is currently developing a Climate Action Plan
(CAP) which prioritizes actions that should be implemented to reduce GHG emissions and
further sets short-term GHG emissions reduction targets to achieve net -zero emissions by
2050.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
Less than half of Miami Beach residents are satisfied with the City's efforts to be a green or
sustainable city. Reducing GHG emissions is an important step to increasing satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Administration recommends adopting the resolution.
Page 685 of 1095
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item. pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
Strategic Connection
Environment & Infrastructure - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat.
Legislative Tracking
Environment and Sustainability
Sponsor
Commissioner Micky Steinberg
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
® Resolution
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