First, we have reported here that due to the use of natural gas we have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the country. But what does that mean in terms that we can understand?

For each kilowatt hour of electricity generated, approximately 1.2 pounds of CO2 emission is created. A home that uses 1,000 kwh per month would generate approximately 1200 pounds of CO2 emissions per month.

For comparison purposes, lets look at the amount of CO2 emissions generated from automobiles. A gallon of fuel generates approximately 20 pounds of CO2 emissions. A vehicle that averages 20 mpg and drives 1000 miles a month would generate approximately 1000 pounds of CO2 emissions.

The City of Tallahassee electric utility has approximately 90,000 residential customers and the 198,000 people that live in these residences drive approximately 150,000 automobiles.  Based on these numbers it would appear automobiles generate more CO2 emissions than our use of electricity. Lets take a closer look.

For one month, on average, the 90,000 residences generate 54,000 tons of CO2 emissions while the automobiles driven generate 75,000 tons of CO2 emissions. These numbers indicate there are more opportunities to further lower our carbon footprint by reducing automobile emissions than emissions generated by the use of electricity.

Given these numbers, maybe public policies should lean toward making it easier to give up our car 3 or 4 times a month versus cutting our electric use by 10%? 

What do you think would be easier to give up?

You can view the slide presentation here.

Among the facts revealed are:

• The City of Tallahassee has a Carbon Reduction Task Team that investigates the feasibility of implementing policies that reduce carbon emissions in Tallahassee.
• EPER is charged with tracking how the carbon footprint of Tallahassee compares to other municipalities.
• The City of Tallahassee ranks in the top 10 of cities in the United States with the lowest CO2 emission rates.
• The City of Tallahassee’s electric utility has the lowest carbon emissions per MegaWatt hour of power produced in the state of Florida.

The dialogue between the City Commissioners that followed was started by Mayor Marks. The  Mayor commented that  “Tallahassee needs community input on which direction to head on these issues.”

Commissioner Katz followed with the idea of putting out a request for proposal (RFP) for a “solar panel farm” and Commissioner Gillum continued with a view that reducing our carbon footprint was the way to go given the number of alternative energy projects that are looking for support these day.

Commissioner Lightsey had a different view.  She argued that these alternative power projects will increase our already high rates. She was concerned about how higher rates would impact consumers. Mayor Marks responded by saying “this  is why we need community input.”

Mayor Marks also hinted that a structure was being set by the EPER department to facilitate a community dialogue on these issues.

You can view the slide presentation here.

Among the facts revealed are:

• The City of Tallahassee has a Carbon Reduction Task Team that investigates the feasibility of implementing policies that reduce carbon emissions in Tallahassee.
• EPER is charged with tracking how the carbon footprint of Tallahassee compares to other municipalities.
• The City of Tallahassee ranks in the top 10 of cities in the United States with the lowest CO2 emission rates.
• The City of Tallahassee’s electric utility has the lowest carbon emissions per MegaWatt hour of power produced in the state of Florida.

The dialogue between the City Commissioners that followed was started by Mayor Marks. The  Mayor commented that  “Tallahassee needs community input on which direction to head on these issues.”

Commissioner Katz followed with the idea of putting out a request for proposal (RFP) for a “solar panel farm” and Commissioner Gillum continued with a view that reducing our carbon footprint was the way to go given the number of alternative energy projects that are looking for support these day.

Commissioner Lightsey had a different view.  She argued that these alternative power projects will increase our already high rates. She was concerned about how higher rates would impact consumers. Mayor Marks responded by saying “this  is why we need community input.”

Mayor Marks also hinted that a structure was being set by the EPER department to facilitate a community dialogue on these issues.