CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to regulating greenhouse gas emissions in larger existing nonresidential and multifamily buildings; establishing and imposing greenhouse gas emissions intensity targets and reporting requirements; prescribing penalties; adding a new Chapter 22.925 to the Seattle Municipal Code; amending Sections 22.920.010, 22.920.020, 22.920.030, 22.920.120, 22.920.130, 22.920.170, 22.930.010, 22.930.020, 22.930.040, 22.930.050, 22.930.120, 22.930.140, and 22.930.180 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and repealing Section 22.920.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2021 finds that "Global warming of 1.5?C and 2?C will be exceeded during the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades"; and
WHEREAS, Seattle is already experiencing impacts from climate change including more severe and frequent extreme heat and wildfire smoke events, drought, heavy precipitation, sea level rise, and flooding; and
WHEREAS, buildings account for 37 percent of Seattle's core greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and The City of Seattle ("City") has a goal to reduce building GHG emissions by 39 percent from 2008 levels and reach zero net GHG emissions by 2050; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the City Council adopted Resolution 31895 committing to creating a Green New Deal for Seattle further calling for Seattle to decarbonize at an accelerated pace while prioritizing investment in communities historically most harmed by economic, racial, and environmental injustice; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the Washington Legislature enacted the Clean Energy Transformation Act, chapter 19.405 RCW, committing Washington to GHG emissions-neutral electricity by 2030 and 100 percent renewable or non-emitting electricity by 2045; and
WHEREAS, in 2021 the Washi...
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