City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A: Yes on Climate Action Plan Tax Extension

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City of Boulder Ballot Issue No. 2A

Climate Action Plan Tax Extension

Yes

No

In
2002, city council passed a motion to commit the city to reach
emissions levels dictated by the Kyoto Protocol. To do this, Boulder
established the country’s first climate change mitigation tax, which is
now up for renewal.

The tax currently pays for EnergySmart, a program to
assist businesses and residents in making proenvironment changes, like
replacing leaky windows or inefficient lighting.

Since
2007, Boulder’s held steady in carbon emissions — still 27 percent
above the Kyoto line, but about 5 percent less than where we would have
been without the tax.

The
only drawback here is the cost to residents. It would be nice to lower
taxes like this one and make it easier for the not-fabulously-wealthy to
move here. That’s a long-term goal we believe in. But half a cent per
KWH — just $21 per year for an average household — isn’t going to fix
Boulder’s elitism problem. It really might fix a few pollution issues in
the city.

We’re endorsing this issue for its affordability, its past success and the importance of protecting the environment.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com