Zero Carbon is the Goal for Woodstock
Randolph Horner, renewable energy developer, on the roof of town hall
Mayor Bloomberg is not the only one going green. Woodstock, New York wants to be America’s first carbon neutral city by 2017. The Telegraph reports:
Woodstock town hall’s large flat roof is blotted out by 112 solar panels – an early manifestation of the town council’s resolution last month to become the first American community to be “carbon neutral” – that is, to achieve no net emission of carbon dioxide – within a decade.
Down on the main street below, however, a steady trail of enormous sports utility vehicles and flat-bed trucks – at least 50 per cent of the morning traffic through the pretty little town in upstate New York – provides an obvious reality check on the optimism of America’s environmental movement.
A particularly vast SUV rumbles past, its driver possibly off to do the
weekly shop. “I agree that when we see a monster like that, it’s fair
to ask how we’re ever going to offset all this consumption,” he said. “Well, that’s America’s challenge.”Locals will be encouraged to do everything from fit energy efficient light bulbs and ride bicycles, to fit solar panels and take advantage of tax incentives to make their homes more energy efficient.
CNN added:
Residents can keep their cars as long as they produce enough clean power to offset their emissions.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
