Lake Tahoe Focuses on Climate Change Initiatives

Articles — By forcechange on January 2, 2009 11:06 am

Underlining the fact that people tend to focus on issues that effect them personally, the Lake Tahoe region in the Sierra Nevadas is joining the fight against climate change.  Like Aspen, the Lake Tahoe area derives much of its revenue from snow-related tourism.  With climate change threatening the very snow pack that supports these activities, Lake Tahoe is implementing a comprehensive plan to help reduce emissions.

Government agencies in the Tahoe Basin are integrating climate change policies into their immediate plans.  The “Climate Change Action Plan,” being developed by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), aims to increase energy efficiencies and to improve the health of the lake itself.  Goals ranging from LEED certified buildings, to solar panel installations, to cleaner transportation initiatives, are all part of the plan. 

Dennis Oliver of the TRPA sums up the situation:

“There’s a of focus on the lake.  After all, the lake is the reason we’re here.  Short of going to Beijing and having them retire their coal-fired factories, Tahoe’s goals are simple: the management of building codes and emissions.”

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