Mayors think green at N.Y. summit

Leaders of the world's biggest cities, which produce the most greenhouse gases, explore how to cut emissions.

from the May 14, 2007 edition

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One of Seattle's latest initiatives involves financial incentives for people to turn in their gas-powered lawn mowers for electric mowers. "Each gas-powered mower puts out 80 pounds of carbon a year, so this is something individuals can do and make a difference," he says.

The mayor of Austin, Will Wynn, will meet with business leaders to describe how the city is trying to cut emissions – in what he calls "the most polluted state in the nation." "We start with conservation," says Mr. Wynn. "The cleanest energy is energy you don't have to produce."

Austin gives away tens of thousands of compact fluorescent light bulbs, pays for weatherization for residents, and buys solar shades (screens for heat control), says Wynn. But one of his more innovative approaches is the installation of "programmable thermostats."

"We have the ability to turn off the air conditioning for no more than 10 minutes per hour, but it saves a bunch of money," he explains. "When we have peak demand, we turn the A/C off – shave down demand in a modest but measurable amount."

The mayor of Salt Lake, Rocky Anderson, will be on a "Wealth from Waste" panel. Salt Lake City has vastly increased its recycling program and its recovering of methane from landfills. One unusual program involves a law firm that is renovating a mansion for its offices. It will use heat from sewer pipes to heat the offices.

"The payoff is in 8 to 10 years so you come out economically ahead," he says.

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