R10-107
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1 RESOLUTION NO. RIO- /01
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3; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH,
4 FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF IMMEDIATE
5 CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO AUTHORIZE
6 LEGISLA TION ALLOWING PROPERTY ASSESSED
7 CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS; AND PROVIDING AN
8 EFFECTIVE DATE.
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11 WHEREAS, utility bills represent a major cost of operating costs for home and
12 business owners;
13 WHEREAS, persistent unemployment, particularly in the construction industry,
14 continues to burden our families and communities;
15 WHEREAS, energy security and reliance on fossil fuels continue to threaten public
16 health and the environment;
17 WHEREAS, residential and commercial buildings consume nearly 40% of all
18 electricity and are responsible for 40% of U.S. annual carbon dioxide emissions;
19 WHEREAS, investing in cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy
20 improvements to homes and businesses can save energy, cut utility bills, create thousands of
21 local jobs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
WHEREAS, the upfront cost and potentially long payback periods prevent property
owners from making otherwise cost-effective clean energy improvements;
WHEREAS, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs are an
innovative local government solution to help property owners finance energy efficiency and
renewable energy improvements - such as energy efficient boilers, upgraded insulation, new
windows, solar installations, etc. - to their homes and businesses;
s \CA\RESO\R~so - PACE.doc
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1 WHEREAS, twenty-two states have passed laws enabling local governments to
2 develop PACE programs.
3 WHEREAS, White House and the U.S. Department of Energy strongly support
4i P ACE, have dedicated $150 million to develop local PACE programs and issued guidelines
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51 to ensure that PACE programs meet safety and soundness requirements and adequately
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61 protect both bond buyers and property owners; and,
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7 WHEREAS, despite PACE's great promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency
8 (FHF A) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on July 6th issued
9 statements that immediately forced existing PACE programs to halt operations and froze the
1 development of dozens of PACE programs nationwide.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
1 THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
1 Section I. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as
1 being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution upon adoption
1 hereof.
1 Section 2. The City of Boynton Beach hereby urges the State of Florida
1 congressional delegation to support legislation that clearly guarantees local governments the
1 right to assess special taxes for clean energy programs and restore the promise of PACE.
1 .Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage.
s \CA\RESO\R~so - PACE.doc
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1 PASSED AND ADOPTED this ~ day of August, 2010.
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3 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
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2 ATTEST:
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2 Ja et M. Prainito, MMC
2 ty Clerk
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SICAIRESOIReso - PACE.doc