Things to do in Boulder when you're dead (and being carbon sequestered)

In a moved that is no doubt surprising people that hate taxes Boulder, Colorado the country's first anti global warming municipal carbon tax. That is right, the city of Boulder, Colorado decided to tax themselves (based upon electricity used) a whopping $.0022 per kWh.

Estimates say that Issue 202 will raise the annual electric bill per household $16 to $20 dollars and around $46 annual increase for businesses.

The people of Boulder hope to raise $1,000,000 (That is one million smackers, American) that will be collected by the utility Xcel Energy who will put the funds towards "energy audits". These energy audits will advise property owners (maybe some renters too) how to save energy by utilizing more efficient lighting, better insulation and more energy efficient equipment/electronics.

Most of Boulder's electricity is produced via coal and those in Boulder who opt for green power (such as wind power) will not be subject to this tax.

Boulder is rather progressive when it comes to environmental issues after adapting the Kyoto Protocol (remember that one, the agreement most industrialized countries signed but not the good ol' US because we didn't believe in global warming?) and even created their own gigantic 71 page Climate Action Plan (available in pdf).

I have to admit to being a little bit jealous. I think these resident proposed and created environmental plans not only make a lot of sense but as more and more municipalities start holding themselves accountable the outlook for everyone starts to look a little bit brighter. I am a little disappointed that Boulder is getting their power from a coal plant in the first place but I shall not throw stones as I live in Ohio and even with our proliferation of nuclear power plants I know we still have plenty of coal going up into the air around here.

Hopefully this will act as inspiration and incentive to all those cities out there that are looking for ways to sell themselves as a more progressive, environmental city without too much of a tax (industry would cringe at this though) and create a plan that would put money back into energy incentives. Boulder hopes to save over $63 million in the long term. As long as the "long term" is less then 63 years, they might just come out ahead.

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Thanks to the lovely Marjie for sending this one along.