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Resolution 412-2011 RESOLUTION NO. 412 -2011 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO ACCEPT THE 2012 STATE ENERGY AND CLIMATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM OF THE SE FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE FOUR COUNTY COMPACT. WHEREAS, there is consensus among the world's leading scientists that global climate change is among the most significant problems facing the world today; and WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has determined that climate change, in conjunction with changes in land use and demographics, will affect important human dimensions in the United States, especially those related to human health, settlements and welfare; and WHEREAS, Florida is considered one of the most vulnerable areas in the country to the consequences of climate change with Southeast Florida on the front line to experience the impacts of climate change, especially sea level rise; and WHEREAS, it is a valid public purpose for local and regional governments, and Southeast Florida as a whole, to give significant consideration to adaptation strategies designed to protect public infrastructure, property, water resources, natural areas and native species, and basic quality of life; and WHEREAS, Broward, Miami -Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties (Compact Counties), as the four counties who are party to the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, have demonstrated national and international leadership through the formation and execution of the Compact; and WHEREAS, Monroe County adopted Resolution 022 -2010 on January 20, 2010, pledging to work with other counties party to, among other things, work in close collaboration to develop joint position statements on proposed State legislation and energy /climate policies; and WHEREAS, the state legislative policy statements shall be provided to the 2012 Florida Legislature Delegation representing, in part or in whole, districts within the area covered by the County: and WHEREAS, it serves a public purpose for Monroe County to accept the 2012 State Energy and Climate Legislative Program of the Compact ; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY: As an ongoing effort to develop and collaborate regionally on energy /climate issues, Monroe County, in conjunction with the Compact Counties, affirms its support for the following state policies as part of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counties 2012 State and Federal Legislative Program. 1JPage 2012 State Policies: 1. Adaptation Action Areas: SUPPORT - greater incorporation of adaptation strategies in the development of state climate energy policies, legislation, and appropriations priorities. SUPPORT - legislation which complements and enhances the utilization and implementation of Adaptation Action Area comprehensive plan designation in law for areas that experience coastal flooding and that are vulnerable to the related impacts of sea level rise. SUPPORT - programs and efforts that provide technical assistance and funding to local governments to aid the integration of adaptation planning in local comprehensive plans. 2. Electric Generation Fuels: OPPOSE - policies, legislation and incentives designed to facilitate the construction or expansion of coal -fired electric generation within the State of Florida as a strategy for "fuel diversity." 3. Energy Efficiency: SUPPORT - energy efficiency and renewable energy finance options to advance greenhouse gas emissions goals, alternative and renewable energy technologies, and green sector economic development. SUPPORT - stringent energy efficiency and conservation targets set by the Florida Public Service Commission pursuant to the Florida Energy Efficiency & Conservation Act, as amended. OPPOSE - policies and legislation designed to undermine energy efficiency and conservation targets contained within the Florida Energy Efficiency & Conservation Act, as amended. 4. Energy Finance Options: SUPPORT - energy finance options that provide both local and regional opportunities, including legislative action to allow local governments to access a portion of the State's Qualified Energy Conservation Bond allocation, in accordance with Department of Energy Guidelines. 5. Everglades: SUPPORT - policies, legislation and funding that will provide for the complete implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan as fundamental to Everglades Restoration, but also the vitality of local water resource management efforts given the overall contributions of the Everglades to regulated water storage and aquifer recharge which will become increasingly important under variable climate conditions and in the face of sea level rise. Wage SUPPORT - greater recognition of the role of Everglades Restoration in planning for economic and environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, including the impacts of sea level rise and extreme weather, such as droughts and floods. 6. Infrastructure: SUPPORT - funding for adaptation planning and investments in the areas of water management, water supply, transportation and other projects that provide hazard mitigation and serve to reduce immediate and long -term risks to infrastructure. 7. Renewable Portfolio Standards: SUPPORT - state policies that promote alternative energy use such as renewable energy portfolio standards for utilities and tax credits for homeowners installing small—scale renewable systems. 8. Transportation Investment Priorities: SUPPORT - the recognition of areas identified as Adaptation Action Areas, or other areas subject to the impacts of sea level rise in the prioritization of future transportation infrastructure projects funding. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 16th day of November, 2011. Mayor . David Rice Yes Mayor Pro Tem Kim Wigington Yi Commissioner Heather Carruthers Yes Commissioner George Neugent Yes Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Yes - BOARD OF COUNTY N \� COMMISSIONERS f'�> 23 OF MONROE COUNTY, _ ., �b W FLORIDA = i n 3 :� CD . 40 ` t " Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk Mayor MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY Deputy Clerk AP' ROVED AS TO FO M: NA L E . 1 ... : — A :-. ti, 6y ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY Date /cam — "Y - c4Jl_ _._.__ 3IPage October 27, 2011 BI • COUNTY SOUTHEAST FLORIDA -QV F L O R I D A MIAM CLIMAT k J COUNTY CHANGE • ' V '"• aP ZORIO SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMPACT COUNTIES 2012 STATE ENERGY AND CLIMATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Background: For the purposes of continued regional collaboration and joint advocacy with the Compact Counties of Broward, Palm Beach, Miami -Dade and Monroe, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners renews support for the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counties 2011 State and Federal Climate Legislative Program and affirms support for the 2012 Legislative Program as detailed below. The 2011 Program outlined the climate policies, appropriations and priority positions jointly supported by the Compact Counties which included support for a State renewable energy portfolio standard and opposition to any efforts by the Legislature to lift the ban on oil drilling within Florida's territorial waters. As an ongoing effort to develop and collaborate regionally on energy /climate issues, Monroe County, in conjunction with the Compact Counties, affirms its support for the following state policies as part of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counties 2012 State and Federal Legislative Program. 2012 State Policies: 1. Adaptation Action Areas: SUPPORT - greater incorporation of adaptation strategies in the development of state climate energy policies, legislation, and appropriations priorities. SUPPORT - legislation which complements and enhances the utilization and implementation of Adaptation Action Area comprehensive plan designation in law for areas that experience coastal flooding and that are vulnerable to the related impacts of sea level rise. SUPPORT - programs and efforts that provide technical assistance and funding to local governments to aid the integration of adaptation planning in local comprehensive plans. 2. Electric Generation Fuels: OPPOSE - policies, legislation and incentives designed to facilitate the construction or expansion of coal -fired electric generation within the State of Florida as a strategy for "fuel diversity." State Legislative Policy Page 1 { E 3. Energy Efficiency: SUPPORT - energy efficiency and renewable energy finance options to advance greenhouse gas emissions goals, alternative and renewable energy technologies, and green sector economic development. SUPPORT - stringent energy efficiency and conservation targets set by the Florida Public Service Commission pursuant to the Florida Energy Efficiency & Conservation Act, as amended. OPPOSE - policies and legislation designed to undermine energy efficiency and conservation targets contained within the Florida Energy Efficiency & Conservation Act, as amended. 4. Energy Finance Options: SUPPORT - energy finance options that provide both local and regional opportunities, including legislative action to allow local governments to access a portion of the State's Qualified Energy Conservation Bond allocation, in accordance with Department of Energy Guidelines. 5. Everglades: SUPPORT - policies, legislation and funding that will provide for the complete implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan as fundamental to Everglades Restoration, but also the vitality of local water resource management efforts given the overall contributions of the Everglades to regulated water storage and aquifer recharge which will become increasingly important under variable climate conditions and in the face of sea level rise. SUPPORT - greater recognition of the role of Everglades Restoration in planning for economic and environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, including the impacts of sea level rise and extreme weather, such as droughts and floods. 6. Infrastructure: SUPPORT - funding for adaptation planning and investments in the areas of water management, water supply, transportation and other projects that provide hazard mitigation and serve to reduce immediate and long -term risks to infrastructure. 7. Renewable Portfolio Standards: SUPPORT - state policies that promote alternative energy use such as renewable energy portfolio standards for utilities and tax credits for homeowners installing small —scale renewable systems. 8. Transportation Investment Priorities: SUPPORT - the recognition of areas identified as Adaptation Action Areas, or other areas subject to the impacts of sea level rise in the prioritization of future transportation infrastructure projects funding. State Legislative Policy Page 2