Drafter
Clerk 04/18/2017
title
A MOTION relating to public transportation; adopting a feasibility report for achieving a carbon-neutral or zero-emission fleet, as requested by Motion 14633 and approving a feasibility report as required in the 2017-2018 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 18409, Section 132, Expenditure Restriction ER2.
body
WHEREAS, one of the eight goals of the King County Strategic Plan is to "promote opportunities for all communities and individuals to realize their full potential," including the goals to "increase the number of healthy years that residents live," "protect the health of communities," and “improve environmental quality and reduce exposure to hazardous materials”, and
WHEREAS, data from the National Equity Atlas shows that air pollution disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income communities in Washington, and
WHEREAS, transportation is the region's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions, and
WHEREAS, greenhouse gas emissions from diesel fuel contributes particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants that have been linked to increased cases of asthma and lung disease, and
WHEREAS, King County plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as public transportation options impact our economy, our climate and our health, and
WHEREAS, the transit division, also known as Metro has been a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by deploying vehicles that utilize new technologies and reduce fuel use, and
WHEREAS, Metro was one of the first to move to hybrid electric buses in 2004, an early adopter that has made this technology common nationwide, and
WHEREAS, Metro operates one of only five electric trolley systems in the United States and, in 2015, began updating its trolley fleet with vehicles designed to travel "off-wire" for limited distances with regenerative braking and improved energy efficiency, and
WHEREAS, Metro's electric trolley system is powered by carbon-neutral energy from Seattle City Light, and
WHEREAS, the 2015 King County Strategic Climate Action Plan, adopted in Motion 14449, includes goals to double transit ridership by 2040, increase usage percentage of alternative fuels and expansion of transit service through 2020 with no increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and
WHEREAS, in 2016 Metro tested the performance of its first three all-electric battery-powered buses and found them to meet or exceed requirements, and developed a plan for addressing safety, operator, and maintenance concerns in the next generation of buses, and
WHEREAS, on April 25, 2016, Motion 14633 requested the executive to develop and transmit a feasibility report for achieving a carbon-neutral or zero-emission fleet, and
WHEREAS, Metro has prepared the requested feasibility report and the executive has transmitted the feasibility report as set forth in Attachment A to this motion to the council;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. For the purposes of fulfilling Motion 14633, Section C, the council adopts the Feasibility of Achieving a Carbon Neutral or Zero-Emission Fleet Report, Attachment A to this motion.
B. For the purposes of fulfilling the expenditure restriction as required in the 2017-2018 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 18409, Section 132, Expenditure
Restriction ER2, the council approves the Feasibility of Achieving a Carbon Neutral or Zero-Emission Fleet Report, Attachment A to this motion.