by Beth Powell and Kara Mertz

As many of us are aware, Boulder is nationally and internationally renowned — for its open space and mountain parks, a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities, its progressive planning and environmental policies, and ample intellectual and spiritual pursuits. In the first two weeks of September, Boulder hosted reporters and photographers from Russia, the U.S. State Department, National Geographic magazine, and the French daily newspaper, Le Monde. Grégoire Allix, the Le Monde reporter who visited Boulder to cover the city’s Climate Action Plan tax and its 2012 Kyoto Protocol goal, wrote a series of articles portraying Boulder as leading our nation in all things environmental. Mr. Allix pointed to former Mayor Shaun McGrath’s appointment to the Obama cabinet. He also described the Boulder City Council decision to increase the Climate Action Plan tax to the maximum level approved by the voters in 2006.

Critical to the success of Boulder’s ambitious Kyoto goal is to engage everyone who lives, works, shops or plays in Boulder, and for all of us to look at our relationship with energy in new ways. “Knowing our power” entails knowing how our daily energy usage contributes to the global greenhouse effect, and that significant, cumulative impact from conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy is a reality.

With little more than three years remaining to reach Kyoto, the solutions city leaders are banking on involve blanketing the city with door-to-door, one-stop-shop energy efficiency services. These programs will be complemented with financial assistance, energy education and web-based tools for those who wish to track our progress toward the community goal. Boulder has long been positioned to truly embody the saying, “think globally, act locally.” Are we ready to get it done? Here’s a snapshot of the plan:

Leadership: The city’s newly formed Department of Community Planning and Sustainability has welcomed into its fold the former Office of Environmental Affairs (OEA). OEA has been renamed Local Environmental Action Division (LEAD), and is in the process of convening local experts to help design and roll out the new climate action plan strategy.

Funding: In July 2009, City Council approved an increase to the Climate Action Plan (CAP) tax to the maximum rates approved by voters in 2006. This doubles the annual budget, allocating $1.6 million annually to implement the new strategy.

Enhanced Strategy: Meeting the goal entails achieving a 25 percent reduction in the amount of fossil fuels Boulder residents and businesses use to produce our energy. It’s safe to say a majority of us understand the importance of energy conservation and believe in the promise of renewable energy, but most of us lead busy lives and lack the time needed to wade through often-conflicting information on the best and most cost-effective behaviors or household investments that will save energy (and money). The new CAP strategy will endeavor to meet residents, business owners, and property owners where they are. Some will start by installing more efficient lighting; some will opt for a new solar PV system using the ClimateSmart™ Loan Program. It matters less where we start but that we start.

In early 2010, teams of trained energy auditors and qualified contractors will go neighborhood by neighborhood, sharing specific information about home energy use and potential cost savings and to offer discounted installation of insulation and other energy-efficiency improvements. The city is also working with Boulder County and a team of finance experts to develop a suite of financing packages that can help pay for efficiency upgrades.

A similar approach will be tailored for businesses to help finance energy efficiency upgrades and improve building comfort and real estate value. The 10 for Change program (a free program of local businesses pledging to reduce their energy use by at least 10 percent) was started in 2008 by local businesses Hogan & Hartson and Cleantech Solutions, with support from City of Boulder staff.

The founding members wanted to challenge their peers to reduce energy use, save money and address climate change in ways that have already provided monetary savings and some good green press, to boot. So far, 55 local businesses have joined the program and some have achieved more than 20 percent savings in less than a year. 10 For Change members host bimonthly networking events, and receive valuable resources and public recognition from the city. The latest episode of local Channel 8’s The Moment show (seen on Channel 8 and archived online at www.TheMomentShow.org) profiles the 10 for Change program and introduces viewers to two local business leaders reducing their carbon emissions while improving their bottom line.

New programs are being designed and piloted in the fall of 2009 and will launch this winter — watch for them! In the meantime, visit www.beClimateSmart.com for information on current programs, available rebates and financing, and tips for reducing your carbon footprint.

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