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Denver holding the line on gases
By: Katy Human
The Denver Post
May 18, 2007
The amount of greenhouse gases produced by citizens hasn't changed in 15 years, but it's far from the goal.
Denver residents produce no more greenhouse gases during their everyday lives today than they did 15 years ago, according to a new city inventory of planet-warming gases.
That is a feat few cities can boast of.
Denver, however, needs to emit fewer greenhouse gases to meet Mayor John Hickenlooper's goal of cutting the city's climate footprint by the equivalent of 260,000 cars in five years.
Greenprint Denver, the mayor's sustainability office, released its first greenhouse-gas inventory Thursday, and with it, a list of gas-reducing recommendations by a panel of experts.
City staff will hold a series of public meetings this month and next to describe the proposals.
"Denver's not at the leading edge of this, but we're a fast follower," said Beth Conover, director of Greenprint Denver.
In recent years, cities around the world have pledged to cut per-capita emissions, most aiming for a 10 percent cut below 1990 levels by 2012.
That was Denver's original goal. But a Greenprint panel representing business, environmental and civic interests suggested going further - cutting the city's total carbon emissions 25 percent by 2020. To do that, the group suggested pushing companies to conserve energy and creating a tiered rate structure for electricity and natural gas.
The panel recommended a voluntary airline ticket fee to offset emissions from Denver International Airport flights - money collected would be used in city programs, such as tree planting, that pull greenhouse gases back out of the atmosphere.
The panel also supported a City Council proposal to require energy-smart upgrades on commercial buildings when sold.
For a list of public meetings to discuss the proposals, go to greenprintdenver.org/news/pa_05-17-2007.php.
Article URL: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_5922626
