Environmentally Conscious Real Estate of Cincinnati

The Mayor’s new climate plan came out today and its a step in the right direction for our city.  According to the proposed action plan, we are looking to cut our green house gas emissions 2% each year, using 2006 as a baseline.  Here is an excerpt from the plan:

Cincinnati adopts the following GHG reduction goals:

 

Long Term – Reduce GHG emissions 84% below 2006 levels by 2050.

          Short Term – Reduce GHG emissions 8% below 2006 levels by 2012.

         Medium Term – Reduce GHG emissions 40% below 2006 levels by 2028.

There are other great proposals in it such as:

• The City should participate in the EPA’s National Idle Reduction Campaign and educate the public about the importance of engine idle-reduction practices. – Did you know that idling your car produces more emissions than turning it off and then back on?? Something as simple as turning your car off and not idling could help dramatically!

• The City should collaborate with regional bicycling advocates in order to increase bicycle use as a mode of transportation.

• Reduction of Electric Use in the Residential Sector – In Cincinnati a significant amount of the electricity used by residents is coal generated. A significant amount of GHG can be reduced by no and low cost measures with simple reduction of electric usage.

•  

  Offer “Green Loan” financing for home energy improvements paid for by utility savings, through creation of community-owned Utility Lending Institution (ULI).

• Recommendation: Renewable Energy using Solar Photovoltaic Electric for Use in the Residential, Commercial and Institutional Sectors

   

• Renewable Energy using Solar Thermal Hot Water Collectors for use in the Residential Sector.

   

The list goes on and on.  This proposed plan is very progressive.  Hats off to our city!  Now the big question is are the other cities neighboring Cincinnati going to follow suit with some of this?  I think tax abatements are a good start!  If you don’t live in the city of Cincinnati, but would like your area to start implementing green initiatives, give your council person a call, call city hall, let your voice be heard!