ITEM 6-J
Council Meeting: July 11, 1989 Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Recommendation to Adopt Resolution in Support of
State Legislation to Regulate Ozone Depleting
Activities
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that City Council adopt the attached
resolution in support of AB1718, coauthored by Assembly Members
Hayden and Vasconcellos. This bill would require the phase out
of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in commercial products
manufactured, packaged, or sold in California and require the use
of CFC recycling equipment in servicing motor vehicle air
conditioners.
BACKGROUND
In 1984, scientists discovered a continent-sized hole in the
ozone shield over Antarctica that has since been determined to be
caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a class of chemicals widely
used in industrial and consumer products. Ozone holes have so
far been confined to the Antarctic, and, to a lesser extent, the
Arctic. But recent measurements of the ozone layer in other
parts of the globe indicate that worldwide depletion of the ozone
shield has begun. The ozone layer filters out much of the sun's
harmful ultraviolet radiation which causes skin cancer, immune
system damage, and increased risk to plant and animal life.
California emits 5 percent of the total global emissions of
ozone-depleting chemicals.
CFCs are used as coolants in air conditioners and refrigerators;
foaming agents in foam insulation, packaging, and cushioning;
solvents that clean solder from electronic components and grease
from sheet metal; and sterilants that sanitize medical
instruments in hospitals. Similar chemicals called halons, which
are up to ten times more potent than CFCs as ozone depleters are
used in fire extinguishers.
Automobile and truck air conditioners account for approximately
37 percent of CFC-12 (freon) use in the United States and
approximately 17 percent of all CFC use. Currently, when a
vehicle air conditioner is serviced, the freon gas is drained
and vented into the atmosphere during servicing. New equipment
which can remove and recycle CFCs from mobile air conditioners
has been developed. These machines, known as "Vampires," cost
between $1500 and $4000 and are designed to replace existing air
conditioning servicing equipment. AB1718 would require
installation and use of CFC-12 recycling equipment in all garages
and automobile service centers in California by January 1, 1991.
AB1718 would also require labeling of all products containing
CFCs; and prohibit sale of residential fire extinguishers using
halon and medical sterilants by January 1, 1990.
DISCUSSION
All City of Santa Monica truck and vehicle air conditioners are
serviced by a private air conditioning service and repair
facility located in Culver City. There are approximately 20 air
conditioning systems or package air conditioning units in
City-owned buildings which are serviced by private contractors.
Halon-based fire extinguishing systems have been installed in the
City's computer room and the telephone switch room where
electrical fires must be quickly extinguished.
Since all of the City's mobile air conditioning units are
serviced by outside contractors, there is no need at this time
for the City to purchase a freon recycling system. The ban on
sale of residential fire extinguishers containing halon would not
effect the fire extinguishers located in the computer room and
telephone switch room. Fire extinguishers containing dry
chemicals are the preferred substitute for residences due to
their superiority in fighting household fires and their lower
cost.
An ordinance requiring repair shops in Los Angeles to recycle
freon is now before the Los Angeles City Council pending
resolution of enforcement issues. The ordinance would require
the installation and use of CFC-12 recycling equipment in all
proprietary garages and automobile service centers in the City of
Los Angeles. Mayor Bradley is recommending the law go into
effect by January 1, 1990. In addition, the ordinance would
place a ban on the sale of small 12 or 14 ounce cans of freon
which will assist in ending the practice of replenishing freon in
vehicles as an alternative to repair of leaky air conditioners.
Staff will continue to monitor AB1718 and the City of Los Angeles
ordinance to assess the need for further City action to prevent
ozone depletion. Without participation on a County or regional
basis, action by Santa Monica alone to require freon recycling
systems in all automobile air conditioning repair shops would
have little impact on this problem and could place an excessive
burden on small Santa Monica businesses.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget/financial impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached
resolution supporting AB1718.
Prepared by: Stan Scholl, Director of General Services
Susan Munves, Administrative Analyst
RESOLUTION NO.
(CITY COUNCIL SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA MONICA IN SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1718
WHEREAS, the release of ozone-depleting chemicals into
the atmosphere is causing a significant and immediate global
crisis, in that such chemicals are depleting the ozone shield
which protects earth from destructive ultraviolet rays; and
WHEREAS, it is vitally necessary that the State of
California take immediate action to eliminate the manufacture,
use, and emission of ozone-depleting chemicals; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1718 has been introduced into
the California State Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1718 would, on or after January
1, 1991, require the use of recycling and recovery equipment in
the servicing of vehicle air conditioners having CFC
(Chlorofluorocarbon) coolants, and prohibit or require the
labeling of those coolants when sold in specified small
quantities; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1718 would establish a specified
date upon which there would be a general prohibition upon the
manufacture, assembly, packaging or sale of any product
containing specified CFCs, halons, or other halogenated
chemicals,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Santa Monica strongly supports
the passage of Assembly Bill 1718.
SECTION 2. The City of Santa Monica urges the
Legislature to consider an even earlier implementation date for
the provisions in Assembly Bill 1718.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall mail a copy of this
Resolution to the Governor, State Senators, and Assembly Member
Hayden.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the
adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the
same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________
ROBERT M. MYERS
City Attorney