Politicians in Al Gore's home state work carbon offsets deal into Nashville parking meters

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"“I’m not doing it for me,” he said."...

6/8/11, "Carbon offset buyers will park free in downtown Nashville," the Tennessean, Michael Cass

"Environmentally conscious drivers now have another way to park for free at downtown meters, as long as they’re willing to pay a different cost upfront.

Drivers will be able to qualify for the benefit in the Central Business Improvement District if they purchase carbon offsets, investments in green energy designed to make up for their vehicles’ emissions of carbon dioxide.

The Metro Council approved the program Tuesday, six months after it voted to allow free parking for drivers of “clean technology” vehicles powered by electricity, gas-electric hybrids or biofuels.

Councilman Charlie Tygard, the sponsor of the newest program, said he thinks the law approved in December will have limited impact because most people can’t afford to buy such vehicles.

“The goal is to make this program available to any citizen

• if they’re willing to invest in carbon offsets,” Tygard said.

Ex-Councilman's group

Participants will have to buy the offsets from a “qualified nonprofit organization” that meets certain standards and uses the money for environmentally beneficial projects in Nashville. They also will have to buy a $10 sticker from the Davidson County Clerk’s office.

Former Councilman Roy Dale, an engineer, started a nonprofit called EarthCredits in 2007. The organization sells carbon offsets averaging about $40, Dale said, and uses the revenue to help fund projects in flood plains, such as wetlands re-vegetation. Tygard said he “picked (Dale’s) brain” but didn’t craft the legislation to benefit Dale, who said he spoke to a number of council members after hearing public dissatisfaction with the parking program that focuses on clean technology vehicles.

Dale said he wouldn’t make any money off the program. He said he would pump all revenues from carbon offsets into green projects.

“I’m not doing it for me,” he said.

Dale said he didn’t know of any other nonprofits selling offsets specifically for the purpose of funding projects in Nashville.

EarthCredits’ first project will create an “eco-park” west of Whites Creek Pike and just south of Briley Parkway on 20 acres in the Ewing Creek flood plain. It will include more than five acres of wetlands and create 8 million gallons of flood storage, Dale said."...

via Weasel Zippers