Boulder Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a set of strategies intended to guide community efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Those strategies have focused on improving energy efficiency and conservation in our homes and businesses—the source of nearly three-fourths of local emissions. The plan also promotes strategies to reduce emissions from transportation, which account for over 20 percent of our local greenhouse gas sources.

General information

In November 2006, citizens of Boulder, Colorado, voted to approve Ballot Issue No. 202, authorizing the city council to levy and collect an excise tax from residential, commercial and industrial electricity customers for the purpose of funding a climate action plan(1)City of Boulder R.S. 3–12, accessed 2010-02-02 http://www.colocode.com/boulder2/chapter3-12.htm to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan outlines programs to increase energy efficiency, increase renewable energy use, reduce emissions from motor vehicles, and take other steps toward the goal of meeting the Kyoto Protocol.

Beginning April 1, 2007 and expiring March 31, 2013, the initial tax rate was set at $0.0022/kWh for residential customers, $0.0004/kWh for commercial customers, and $0.0002/kWh for industrial customers. The city council has the authority to increase the tax after the first year up to a maximum permitted tax rate of $0.0049/kWh for residential customers; $0.0009/kWh for commercial customers; and $0.0003/kWh for industrial customers. Voluntary purchases of utility-provided wind power are exempt from the tax.

Allocation and generation of fund

Charge:
Current tax rates for electricity customers (link to 7):

Total Fund:$860,265 in the first year and up to $1,342,000/year thereafter through 3/31/2013
Purpose: Renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7698&Itemid=2844

Incentive authority

Authority 1: Ballot Issue 202 (Climate Action Plan Tax)
Date Enacted:11/7/2006
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Elections/2006/climate_action_plan_ord.pdf

Authority 2: Boulder Revised Code 3-12
Date Effective: 4/1/2007
Expiration Date: 3/31/2013
http://www.colocode.com/boulder2/chapter3-12.htm

See also

• Carbon pricing
• Global Action Plan
• Transition Towns
• Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States
• Chicago Climate Action Plan
• San Francisco Climate Action Plan
• Biodiversity Action Plan
• Obama’s Climate Action Plan

References

• DSIRE Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency accessed 2010-02-02 Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• Spare the Air website
• Managing TitleV Compliance
• Clean air reference website
• Fireplace Rebate Fund
• BAAQMD phone numbers including 800-EXHAUST (800-394-2878) to report smoggy cars