Boulder CO. Boulder has had a Climate Action Plan since 2004, making it one of the first cities in the country to have one. In 2006 the City passed Climate Action Plan Tax Initiative which became the U.S.’s first, and so far only directly voter-approved carbon tax. The tax charges consumers based on their fossil-fueled electricity consumption. The revenue collected is used to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. In 2013 Boulder residents voted overwhelmingly to stop buying electricity from its investor-owned-utility and to municipalize its energy purchasing. Boulder, in this manner, focuses heavily on reducing energy demand and promoting distributed generation, while maintaining rates comparable or less than neighboring utilities. Boulder is a member of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance. View the video “Meeting Boulder’s Energy Challenge Head on” www.youtube.com
