BERKELEY: CITY REPORTS LOWERED EMISSIONS

05/15/07 5:50 PDT

BERKELEY (BCN)

The city of Berkeley reported today one of the largest decreases in greenhouse gas emissions documented by any U.S. city, according to the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

Berkeley was able to lower emissions across all sectors by an average of 9 percent between 2000 and 2005, the city reported.

An independent analysis of carbon emissions, whose data was used by the city, found reduced emissions for the same time period in the commercial and residential sectors. Within those sectors, emissions fell by more than 13 percent. Within the transportation section, emissions dropped by 2.7 percent.

The lowered emissions add up to 61,000 fewer tons of carbon in the atmosphere- the equivalent of taking more than 12,000 Ford Taurus sedans off the road, according to the city.

"This report is very hopeful news," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. "It shows that the people of Berkeley take global warming seriously and are prepared to take meaningful action to make reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."

Bates said the city is finding innovative ways to save money and meet voter-adopted Measure G, which calls for 80 percent emission reduction by the year 2050. The measure was adopted in November with voter support of more than 81 percent.

The measure directs the mayor to work with the community to prepare an emissions reduction plan with specific targets by the end of 2007 for submission to the city council, according to the city.