As part of his effort to reduce greenhouse gasses and promote the goals of the Kyoto Treaty, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced a new $37 million program to reduce carbon emissions in Seattle. The goal is to reach the Kyoto target of reducing carbon emissions by seven percent by 2012. Funding would be provided in large part by a tax increase on the ballot in November.

As currently proposed, however, the plan is likely to spend nearly twelve times more for carbon reduction as nationally recognized programs to reduce and offset carbon emissions. The inefficiency of the program not only costs Seattle taxpayers, but also misses opportunities to reduce carbon emissions beyond the amount projected in this plan.

Read the full Environmental Watch here