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Home My WebLink About2014-19 In Support of Fossil Fuel Divestment RESOLUTION NO. 2014-. ( A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT RECITALS: A. The climate crisis is a serious threat to current and future generations here in Ashland and around the world. B. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report found that global warming is already causing costly disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world. C. One hundred and fourteen (114) governments in the world have signed the International 2009 Copenhagen Agreement that any warming above a 2°C (3.6°F) rise would be unsafe. Furthermore, scientific analysis suggest that humans can only emit about 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to maintain that limit. D. For the purposes of this resolution, a "fossil fuel company" shall be defined as any of the two hundred publicly-traded companies with the largest coal, oil and gas reserves found at the Fossil Free Indexes (http://fossilfreeindexes.com/). E. In its "Unburnable Carbon" report, the Carbon Tracker Initiative found that fossil fuel companies possess proven fossil fuel reserves that would release approximately 2,795 gigatons of C02 if they are burned, which is five times the amount that can be released without exceeding 2°C of warming. F. The City of Ashland believes that its investments should support a future where all citizens can live healthy lives without the negative impacts of climate change. G. The City of Ashland does not now directly invest in any fossil fuel companies. THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Oregon Short Term Fund Board should review and consider divestment of directly held or commingled assets that include holdings in fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds. SECTION 2. The PERS Board and the Oregon Investment Council should review and consider divestment of directly held or commingled assets that include holdings in fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds. SECTION 3. The City shall send a copy of this Resolution, along with a cover letter signed by the Mayor, to the Oregon Short Term Fund Board and PERS Board urging them to review and consider their position on divesting their holdings from fossil fuel companies. SECTION 4. The State Legislature should consider enacting state legislation that requires consideration of divestment of statewide retirement funds (PERS) from fossil fuel companies and such investments in the future. The City shall send this resolution and a letter of support for consideration of future divestment legislation to elected state officials. Page 1 of 2 SECTION 5. This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this day of 2014, and takes effect upon signing by the Mayor. Barbara Christensen, City Recorder , 2014: SIGNED and APPROVED thisL'2-day of a*sz r J Stromberg, Mayor Reviewed as to form: k"t, c-_ David Lo , City Attorney Page 2 of 2 CITY OF ASHLAND October 27, 2014 Jeff Merkley, US Senator 10 South Bartlett Street Suite 201 Medford, OR 97501 Dear Senator, Enclosed you will find a Resolution in Support of Fossil Fuel Divestment approved by the City of Ashland Council on October 21, 2014. The Resolution directs my office to send to our State of Oregon elected officials. Sincerely, Barbara Christensen City Recorder CITY RECORDER'S OFFICE Barbara Christensen, City Recorder/Treasurer 20 E Main Tel: 541-488-5307 Ashland, Oregon 97520 Fax: 541-552-2059 Fr www.ashland.or.us TTY: 800-735-2900 CITY OF ASHLAND October 27, 2014 Ted Wheeler, Oregon State Treasurer 350 Winter Street, NE Suite 100 Salem, OR 97301 Dear Mr. Wheeler, Enclosed you will find a Resolution in Support of Fossil Fuel Divestment approved by the City of Ashland Council on October 21, 2014. The Resolution directs my office to send to our State of Oregon elected officials. Sincerely, Barbara Christensen City Recorder CITY RECORDER'S OFFICE Barbara Christensen, City Recorder/Treasurer 20 E Main Tel: 541-488-5307 Ashland, Oregon 97520 Fax: 541-552-2059 www.ashland.or.us TTY: 800-735-2900 CITY OF ASHLAND October 27, 2014 Ron Wyden, US Senator Federal Courthouse 310 W 6th Street, Room 118 Medford, OR 97501 Dear Senator, Enclosed you will find a Resolution in Support of Fossil Fuel Divestment approved by the City of Ashland Council on October 21, 2014. The Resolution directs my office to send to our State of Oregon elected officials. Sincerely, Barbara Christensen City Recorder CITY RECORDER'S OFFICE Barbara Christensen, City Recorder/Treasurer 20 E Main Tel: 541-488-5307 Ashland, Oregon 97520 Fax: 541-552-2059 www.ashland.or.us TTY: 800-735-2900 JEFF MERKLEY COMMITTEES: OREGON APPROPRIATIONS BANKING, HOUSING, 'United states senate AND URBAN AFFAIRS BUDGET WASHINGTON, DC 20510 ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS October 31, 2014 Ms. Barbara M. Christensen lctv ~s City Recorder City of Ashland B y 1 Z 20 East Main Street Ashland, OR 97520-1850 Dear Barbara, Thank you for contacting me to share your support for addressing climate change. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. Addressing climate change is one of the most important priorities for our nation and our planet. The alarming rate at which we have been burning fossil fuels and releasing carbon into the atmosphere over the last several decades is unsustainable. It poses a major threat to our natural resources, economy, and public health. We must act immediately to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. I was pleased that in June, the Environmental Protection Agency released the Clean Power Plan, taking the most significant step to reduce carbon pollution in our nation's history. Under this plan, states will cut carbon pollution from power plants - the single biggest source of carbon pollution - 30 percent by the year 2030, making our energy system cleaner, more efficient and more affordable. While curbing carbon emissions from power plants is an important step, we must still work to further deploy renewable energy and energy efficiency, technologies, and to implement innovative solutions to tackle climate change. That is why in addition to promoting clean energy tax credits and incentivizing renewable energy production, I have supported increasing gas mileage requirements for cars and trucks and investing in and deploying electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. I have also proposed legislation to help lower energy bills for Oregon families by giving them the opportunity to invest in energy efficient home renovations. Changing the way we use energy is essential if we are to ensure a sustainable future for America, and [ will continue to push for these programs in order to achieve that. I have also heard a variety of suggestions from Oregonians on the best ways to address the causes and mitigate the impacts of climate change. These ideas range from climate resiliency funds and carbon taxes, to the need to protect biodiversity and promote organic agriculture, among others. I value this input, and as a member of Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change, as well as the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I will incorporate this feedback as I work with my colleagues to combat climate change. Please know that I will continue to fight to protect our environment, economy, and public health from the adverse effects of climate change. 313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING 121 S.W. SALMON STREET WASHINGTON, DC 20510 SUITE 1400 (202) 224-3753 PORTLAND, OR 97204 FAX (202) 228-3997 (503) 326-3386 FAX (503) 326-2900 Thank you, again, for your input. I hope you will keep sending your thoughts and observations my way. All my best, J'# A . Jeffrey A. Merkley United States Senator JM/rw