Colorado Energy and Politics News – Part I

I got behind the news late last week and into the weekend, so this the first of two roundups of items I saw.

State Representative Sara Gagliardi (D-JeffCo) introduced a bill (HB09-1331) that promotes low-emitting cars and trucks. It makes changes to the existing tax credit for purchases of vehicles using alternative fuels, for purchase of idling reduction technologies or for conversion of vehicles to use alternative fuels.  I heard a segment on the Ed Schultz show earlier this afternoon about an idling technology that I’ll have to look into.  It sounded like it would reduce the amount of fuel burned from 1 gallon per hour during idling to 1 gallon per 20 hours, but I could have heard the improved ratio incorrectly.

Carbon Trust Selected to Implement Colorado’s Voluntary Carbon Fund

Gov. Ritter’s Energy Office selected The Climate Trust to implement the Colorado Carbon Fund. The Colorado Carbon Fund was designed to provide high quality, verifiable carbon offsets for consumers concerned about climate change.

Consumers can mitigate their own carbon emissions by helping to fund offset projects, which, according to The Climate Trust and the Governor’s Energy Office, quantifiably reduce greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. One aspect of this program I particularly like: the Colorado Carbon Fund will only spend funds on greenhouse gas reduction projects that are developed in Colorado. That keeps those projects local, which is admirable. There are other projects that develop projects nationally and internationally, The Climate Trust being one of them.

From the GEO’s press release:

Tom Plant, GEO Director. “Carbon offsets are a part of a three step process for consumers to engage in a sustainable energy lifestyle. First is measurement of emissions; second is reduction of emissions through efficiency and renewable energy; third is offset of the remaining emissions through the Colorado Carbon Fund. Taken as a package, the Colorado Carbon Fund’s voluntary carbon offsets will help us to meet our greenhouse gas emissions goals from the state’s Climate Action Plan.”

The Climate Trust will work with GEO staff over the next several months to develop the framework for the Colorado Carbon Fund including defining funding opportunities for in-state offset projects, developing web-based carbon footprint calculators, and creating the offset tracking and retirement system. The official launch of the Colorado Carbon Fund is anticipated for late summer 2008.

Here is something from the press release that’s confusing:

Colorado residents who offset over 50% of their vehicle’s emissions will qualify to purchase a “Carbon Neutral Colorado” license plate through legislation recently passed by the Colorado General Assembly.

How ironic is that? I fail to see how this “reward” encourages positive behavior. It makes it seem like the Fund is only a feel-good measure, which I don’t necessarily think it is. Overall all though, a good plan is being set up here.