Encouraging the Use of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
Adopted at the 74th Annual Meeting in 2006
WHEREAS, American over-reliance on foreign oil is a growing and serious threat to the national security and economic vitality of the United States;
WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's population, is responsible for producing approximately 25 percent of the world's global warming pollutants; and
WHEREAS, petroleum combustion accounts for about 40% of all U.S. CO2 emissions
WHEREAS, oil is only used to generate 2% of American electricity;
WHEREAS, recent, well-documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40 percent decline in Arctic sea-ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past decade; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global warming pollution; and
WHEREAS, the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the meeting and urged mayors from around the nation to join this effort;
WHEREAS, plug-in hybrid vehicles can dramatically reduce reliance on imported oil and decrease greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants generated by vehicles;
WHEREAS, plug-in hybrid technology can accomplish reductions in greenhouse gas reductions and reliance on oil more quickly than other emerging technologies;
WHEREAS, plug-in hybrids can be manufactured with flexible fuel engines thus increasing business for American agriculture;
WHEREAS, plug-in hybrid vehicles will also help American citizens and businesses save on fuel costs
WHEREAS, the City of Austin is leading the Plug-In Partners campaign to encourage automakers to manufacture flexible fuel plug-in hybrids and to demonstrate a demand for such vehicles;
WHEREAS, Cities all across America are providing leadership in fighting climate change;
WHEREAS, American cities working together can effectively address challenges facing our cities and our nation; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the Plug-In Partners initiative and urges mayors from around the nation to join this effort. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges automakers to manufacture flexible fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages its mayors to submit "soft" or "advance" fleet orders to the Plug-In Partners initiative, which only commit the City to seriously consider the purchase, but shows interest to automakers; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages its members to support federal and state legislation that funds incentives, demonstration projects, and fleet orders for plug-in hybrid vehicles.