The city of Boston emerged yesterday as one of the few cities in the US pledging to tackle the global warming problem. Mayor Menino announced a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s 400 buildings and 2,000 vehicles by 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012 and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Here are some highlights of the plan:
- the city must buy at least 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2012
- city vehicles must burn 5 percent less fuel by 2012
- Boston hopes to offer no-interest loans to residents and businesses for the installation of more energy efficient technologies, like fluorescent bulbs—a program worth a potential $500 million
The energy efficiency trend seems to be gaining momentum in Boston-Cambridge; last month, the city of Cambridge launched a smaller version of the Boston program.
And Boston is requiring private builders meet energy efficiency standards.
Recent comments on this blog
Science events this week: Talking heads, Rachel Carson and monogomy
Guest Post: Science is about passion. Find yours.
HIV Research: How the Berlin Patient led to the Boston patients