HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2016-010WHA TCOM CO UNTY CO UNCIL A GENDA BILL NO. -2016 118
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Ass i ned to:
Originator:
3/1/2016
3/8/2016
Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head: l.a
l0
Prosecutor:
Purchasinq /Budget:
f
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Resolution supporting solar industry jobs and economic development in Whatcom Cc
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Resolution supporting solar industry jobs and economic development in Whatcom County
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION.•
3/8/2016: Approved 7 -0, Res. 2016 -010
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res. 2016 -010
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
PROPOSED BY: Buchanan
INTRODUCTION DATE: March 8, 2016
RESOLUTION NO. 2016 -010
SUPPORTING SOLAR INDUSTRY JOBS AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IN WHATCOM COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes the tremendous
potential for our community to position itself as an regional and national leader in
solar panel development, manufacturing, and installation; and
WHEREAS, investments in solar production incentives have created between
1,100 and 2,400 jobs in Washington state, at least 120 of which have located in
Whatcom County as of 2015; and
WHEREAS, recent research conducted by the United Way indicates that
nearly 42 percent of Whatcom County households are struggling to meet basic
needs on current income levels, and that continued growth in living wage job
opportunities is necessary to sustain communities in Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, economic growth created by state investments in solar
production has been evaluated by the Western Washington University (WWU)
Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR); and
WHEREAS, findings from research by the WWU CEBR indicate that the solar
incentive policy generates $6.82 in local wages and $15.84 of total economic
activity for each $1 invested by the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, findings from the research also indicate that the average
compensation for jobs in the solar industry tend to be at living wage levels, with an
average hourly rate of $25 in the installer industry segment; and
WHEREAS, production incentive policies have resulted in dramatic growth of
the solar energy sector, with 2,146 photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in the first
three quarters of 2015, compared to 647 PV systems installed in all of 2011, there
has been an estimated 55% year- over -year increase in solar installations during the
last four years; and
WHEREAS, both solar installers, manufacturers, and utilities have indicated
a need for extension of this policy in order to continue to sustain solar industry
growth, though the increasing competitiveness of solar energy systems has allowed
for a substantial decrease in production incentive rates and an elimination of sales
tax exemptions; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes the significant impacts
that global climate change will have on our local citizens if strong and immediate
actions are not taken to control it; and
WHEREAS, 196 countries from around the world recently met in Paris and
negotiated an agreement to keep global warming "to well below 2 °C above pre-
industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C
above pre - industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks
and impacts of climate change "; and
WHEREAS, there is much that state and local governments can do to set
into place policies that help reduce climate change; and
WHEREAS, accommodating and encouraging the growth of solar power
production is critical to establishing energy independence and reducing the need for
climate emissions.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council
supports legislative efforts at the state level to renew and extend the solar
production incentive to drive solar industry job growth both in Whatcom County and
throughout Washington state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that our state legislative delegation from the
40th and 42nd legislative districts are requested to join with the Whatcom County
Council in support of proposed legislation to renew and extend the solar production
incentive.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council supports
restoration of incentive rates necessary to ensure industry growth continues, such
as those proposed in the original version of House Bill 2346 introduced by
Representative Jeff Morris.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council pledges to
continue to support efforts to sustain and grow living wage jobs in clean energy and
other sustainably minded industry sectors.
APPROVED this 8th day of
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APPR YE6aAS9'r0' FORM:
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
March 1 2016.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY,
--IrSHIN C��r,
uchane(n, Council Chair