Letting the market work, and paying to help problems you are partly responsible for is good economics, good business, and an all around good thing.
Science Watch: A way to pay if you pollute
SMUD invites users to atone for harmful emissions, fund green projects.
By Edie Lau - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, March 4, 2007
Responsibility for global warming is about to get personal in Sacramento.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District plans soon to start a voluntary program in which customers can calculate their greenhouse gas emissions -- then atone for the pollution by paying into local green energy and carbon storage projects.
"It enhances our customers' understanding of how their lifestyle impacts global warming," said Paul Lau, SMUD manager of customer strategy. "We want to empower customers to be part of the solution."
The program is modeled after "carbon offset" programs now cropping up nationwide.
A handful of businesses started the trend a decade or so ago, countering emissions by funding environmentally friendly projects such as solar or wind energy installations and reforestation.
The pace of participation has quickened in recent years, bringing offset programs to individuals. SMUD is taking the trend one more step in a new direction by emphasizing local use for the green bucks generated by customers.
