BOULDER, CO – In partnership with Xcel, Boulder County, a host of nonprofits, and valued community volunteers, Boulder has reversed the growth of local greenhouse gas emissions, according to City Manager Jane Brautigan in her Daily Camera column. "In 2008, our collective efforts helped keep roughly 81,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. With three years left to reach our goal, we're heading in the right direction," said Brautigan.

Brautigan credits the success to improving energy efficiency and encouraging people to change behavior. Efforts included encouraging transit use, bicycling, and walking, resulting in real reductions to local driving.

The city is also working to become 100 percent energy independent within the next 10 years.

"We have converted 40 percent of our fleet to alternative fuel-vehicles, installed solar systems on three city buildings, and are constructing a one megawatt solar facility at our wastewater treatment plant. We will continue expanding our use of non-carbon energy sources and partnering with Xcel on SmartGrid implementation and other projects," said Brautigan. "We are confident that we can achieve over 60 percent of our goal by 2012 (eliminating 260,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide) through a combination of incentives, requirements, ongoing education, and social mobilization."

The most recent draft of the "Community Guide to Boulder's Climate Action Plan" is available at www.BeClimateSmart.com.