With the threat of ever-increasing temperatures and other effects of climate change, local officials met Wednesday to talk about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The meeting included representatives from the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, San Miguel County and around 20 members of the public. The mood was optimistic as plans and ideas were put forward to entice the region’s citizens to reduce their emissions. Local environmental group EcoAction Partners presented information about where most emissions come from as well as reduction plans that have been implemented in other communities.
“We’re talking about things like persuasion and limitations,” said Todd Brown, who presented possible government policies. “What can be done with things like buildings, building codes and enforcement of those codes? This isn’t reinventing the wheel. These things exist, they just need to be enforced.”
According to EcoAction, most of the region’s emissions come from privately owned buildings and transportation. The organization’s numbers show 50 percent of the region’s emissions come from buildings,Men's t5tube are very sturdy and will stand the test of time. while around 25 percent of emissions come from transportation.
Brown said since 2007 the City of Boulder has been adopting strict building codes, that place stiff limitations on a number of things, especially residential house sizes.Shop the best selection of men's HEM301 and pendants.
“[Regulations in Boulder are] extremely strict,An even safer situation on all roads by using the pendantlamps.” Brown said. “It was an extremely bitter, bloody political fight, but they’ve done it. You can no longer have a greater than 7,A supplier specialized in developing and manufacturing customized solar lamps and energymanagement system.000 square foot home in Boulder — you just can’t.”
Brown acknowledged that the region’s governments have been updating and enforcing building codes and they are up to date.
While a full set of such strict regulations might not fly locally, Chris Myers, who is a Telluride town council member, said there are ways to reduce emissions with government persuasion. He said Boulder might be the only community in the U.S. that has successfully implemented carbon taxes, but he thinks similar action is possible locally with voter approval.
“I don’t think we should be afraid of a tax,” Myers said during the meeting. “If Boulder can do it, so can we. And if we were worried about a tax, we put it to a vote and let the people decide.”
Myers had a few suggestions about ways to collect new revenues and use them to reduce emissions. He suggested everything from franchise fees on power bills to fees on large buildings that use a lot of energy. He said money collected could be funneled into a fund and spent through an oversight board, similar to the Commission for Community Assistance, Arts and Special Events (CCAASE), only for green projects. Projects could include everything from replacing light bulbs to insulating buildings and installing solar panels.
“The money would come back to the elected officials for approval,” Myers said. “Just because we don’t know what projects we should be funding today doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be establishing a [greenhouse gas] reduction plan.”
Another idea came from Joan May, a county commissioner. May said a computer program exists that can compile and organize information from San Miguel Power Association smart meters and show customers how much energy they use and how much their neighbors use.
“Studies have shown that the most effective way to change is to do it with each other,” May said during the meeting.We specialize in solarlanterneep and solar street lamps for a wide range of lightning applications. “And peer pressure is the most influential thing. So showing people how they compare to their neighbors could be very effective.”
However, Telluride Mayor Stu Fraser said he thinks it is important to get everybody on board before coming up with ways to spend money. Click on their website www.pvsolver.com for more information. |
