In January, Boone Town Council created a new position to prioritize sustainability. George Santucci, the first occupant of the sustainability and special projects manager role, took immediate action to begin sustainability operations. “We take a five step approach to eliminating carbon emissions,” Santucci said. “By 2030, our goal is for municipal operations to be net neutral.” Municipal operations refers to Boone’s government operations. Net neutral doesn’t necessarily mean zero carbon or greenhouse gas emissions, but if there is still carbon released by the municipal operations, it has to be offset with something else such as planting trees.
The first steps are the “two monsters,” Santucci said. First is to “green” the electricity and energy being burnt. The town intends to purchase 100% carbon emission free energy. If the budget is approved, Boone will buy 1.6 gigawatt hours in hydropower from New River Light and Power and about 5.3 gigawatt hours in solar energy from Blue Ridge Electric. This will add up to the amount of power the town used in previous years.
To learn more, please read the full article, Boone, App State Aim for Carbon-Free 2050 (PDF)