Despite Whitehouse Reluctance, Seattle to Adopt Kyoto Limits
SEATTLE, WA, July 25, 2001 - Although President Bush has rejected the emission limits spelled out in Kyoto Protocol, Seattle officials announced Monday that they will meet greenhouse gas reductions targets established by the 1997 accord.
On the heals of successful talks in Bonn, Germany that detailed the future of the Kyoto Protocol, Seattle has pledged to meet the Kyoto goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by seven percent from 1990 levels and aims to reduce emissions by as much as three times that amount. The city - nicknamed the "Emerald City" - has a reputation for being environmentally progressive with its urban forests and relatively "green" electricity and waste programs.
"We are sending a message to the federal administration that it is time to act, just like the rest of the world," Mayor Peter Schell told reporters.
Seattle plans on meeting local increases in the demand for electricity through conservation schemes and the purchasing of wind power, so that the increase in demand will not increase emissions. The city will offset its total emission load by reducing traffic, recycling industrial waste and heat and planting trees. The policy commits Seattle City Light - the city's public electric utility - to a policy of zero net greenhouse emissions.
Rejecting President Bush's assertion that the Kyoto Protocol would seriously harm local economies, officials said that their plans will cost City Light about $3 million each year, just a small percentage of the half billion dollar annual budget. The utility has sold all its share of a coal-fired power plant and will fully mitigate emissions - totaling 600,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year - from all of its other fossil fuel resources.
Seattle hopes other US cities will join its efforts and plans on eventually bringing its arguments directly to the White House. "
Add Seattle to Chicago, LA, NY & other cities that are going green.
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