Nov 24 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Cyndy Cole The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff

If Flagstaff wants to get serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions citywide in line with a 2006 pledge, it should tax carbon and trash, said post-doctoral NAU researcher Matthew Hurteau.

His support for this and other measures to combat climate change was echoed Thursday night by many in a crowd of about 50 seeking to weigh in on the city's plans.

But amid a recession, questions about what's legally and politically feasible, and doubt by two council members about the severity of global warming, it appears the city is unlikely to implement costly or sweeping changes next year.

Six of the seven members of the Flagstaff City Council, including the mayor, responded to a series of questions about a range of measures proposed to slow global warming, in line with the City Council's 2006 pledge to cut emissions to pre-1990 levels by 2012.

With no changes, greenhouse gas emissions produced from residents, tourists and businesses across the city are forecast to increase by 52 percent from 1990 to 2020. Most climate scientists believe these emissions are a key component in global warming.

All six of those council members responding said they would give builders tax incentives to construct more energy-efficient buildings, as long as it wasn't a requirement.

Beyond that, the council is split on other recommendations made by a consultant that range from putting more hybrid cars on the streets to requiring businesses and residents to purchase renewable energy.

There are no estimates of what these plans would cost.

Councilwoman Coral Evans did not respond to phone calls seeking an interview.

-- Two councilmen, Joe Haughey and Scott Overton, voted against the proposal to limit greenhouse gases at the city level in 2006 and say it is not the city's top priority or role to combat global warming.

-- A bare majority of four on the council -- Al White, Mayor Sara Presler, Karla Brewster and Rick Swanson -- would require builders to construct more energy-efficient homes and commercial buildings.

Proposals that paid for themselves and ultimately saved homeowners or renters money should take top priority, White said.

Overton opposed this and some of the other proposals, saying, "I don't believe it's the municipal role to dictate how people live their lifestyles."

-- Proposals to require homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of homes during sale or remodel were unpopular with the council.

"I would love to be able to require them, but at this point I don't think we can. Particularly with the economic downturn," Brewster said.

-- Also unpopular was any idea of requiring vehicles in Flagstaff become more fuel-efficient, with several council members saying such a move would also likely be illegal.

"We can do our best as a municipal government to increase our fuel efficiency, but I don't think we can mandate it to automobile owners," Swanson said.

-- Only two of the six, White and Brewster, said they might support requiring residents and businesses to purchase renewable energy.

-- Except for Brewster, who would support a carbon tax on gasoline or electricity sometime in the future, the other council members say they would oppose one or were undecided.

It would not make sense for the city to take such actions independent of state and federal policies addressing climate change, Presler said.

"When one community tries to solve everyone's problems, it may not be as successful as when everyone tries to solve everyone's problems together," she said.

Along the way, all were asked whether they thought global warming was a problem.

Swanson, Presler, White and Brewster said yes.

Haughey, who makes air quotes with his hands when speaking of the "global warming-climate change thing," said global warming "could be, maybe not" a problem, and that the science is not entirely conclusive.

Overton's response was parallel.

"It is not definitively known," he said. "It's still being questioned."

So far, 901 cities have signed onto a pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, though many might not make it.

-- Billings, Mont., is looking at more energy efficiency, and at capturing methane gas from its landfill. The community doesn't have measurements that will indicate whether the community is meeting its goals, said city administrator Christina Volek.

-- Aspen, Colo., plans to become carbon neutral in its city-owned electricity and water utility by 2012, which will cost $4 million extra, said Phil Overeynder, who manages utilities.

Wind, solar and geothermal will all play a part.

Beyond that, the city has set different goals than Flagstaff, hoping to cut greenhouse gases 30 percent below 2004 levels by 2020. It has the largest rural bus system in the country.

Aspen has a tiered electricity billing system. Those that use more pay more, per unit, just as Flagstaff water customers pay much more for using more water than the average household.

-- Moab, Utah, fluctuates between 8,000 and 20,000 in population, given tourism, which has major carbon impacts, just like for Flagstaff.

There, City Hall has set a goal of making city buildings more energy-efficient, though no study has been done on the community's carbon footprint due to the cost, said Mayor Dave Sakrison.

Residents have voluntarily signed up to buy renewable energy at higher rates.

"To tell you that we've dropped our emissions by 25 percent, I can't tell you that. But I can tell you that, through our actions, we've definitely done something," Sakrison said. "Fifteen percent of the population's buying green power for gosh sakes. That's significant."

For more information, or to give the city your opinion, see www.flagstaff.az.gov/climate.

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