In 2006, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter signed the Mayor’s Agreement on Climate Change. Since then, the city has taken steps to improve efficiency and sustainability, including a compost and revamped recycling program.
Now, the city is looking for help from its citizens to push for renewable energy in their homes and businesses.
“We want to be able to walk the talk," says Public Works Director Steve Burgos.
He says right now, Boiseans get their energy from a mix of electricity, natural gas and geothermal energy. Burgos says they want to move to renewable sources by 2040, but not just for the environmental reasons.
“As we start to get off fossil fuels, we’re keeping all that money that’s now leaving our local economy to go to foreign countries, to go to other states – we’re keeping all that local if we’re producing the energy locally.”
Over the last couple years, city officials have been working to come up with a draft plan with stakeholders, including Idaho Power. Burgos says now, it’s time to hear from the public. The city is holding a series of public meetings, beginning Tuesday at the Library! at Hillcrest. Click here for the full schedule of public meetings.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
Copyright 2018 Boise State Public Radio
