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A task force developing a plan to reduce Bozeman’s carbon footprint is proposing everything from building large-scale alternative energy facilities to charging people who use plastic bags.
The 15-member Mayor’s Community Climate Task Force has compiled a list of more than 30 ways the city can encourage or require its citizens to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The Bozeman City Commission listened to preliminary recommendations from the task force during its regular meeting on Monday night. Commissioners did not take any action and are slated to further tweak the plan at another meeting Jan. 18, before later deciding whether to approve it.
Scott Bischke, a chemical engineer and citizen representative on the task force, told commissioners Monday that to make a sizeable dent in its carbon footprint Bozeman needs to look at where it gets its energy.
He asked commissioners if they’re willing to look at ways to supply the community with its own alternative energy. The task force’s plan suggests building city-operated facilities to generate electricity from the sun, wind or biomass.
“The only way we’re going to make big improvements is to produce our own power,” said Anders Lewendal, task force member and chairman of the Southwest Montana Building Industry Association.
However, task force members admitted the cost of such an endeavor would be daunting.
They also suggested a number of ways to conserve energy, though they admitted that conservation alone likely won’t solve the problem.
Task force members are proposing the city adopt a 5-cent fee for use of plastic bags. People who tote their purchases home with store provided plastic bags could be charged 5 cents for each one they use.
They’re also recommending the city adopt an anti-idling ordinance, similar to those in other states. The Vermont Legislature is considering a statewide ban on vehicle idling in excess of two minutes.
Other recommendations in the plan include:
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