Ultra-liberal Boulder, Colorado has passed the country’s first municipal carbon tax, MSNBC reports. The Boulder tax will raise average home bills $1.33 per month and businesses will pay an extra $3.80 per month, according to the town. The tax will generate about $1 million for the city annually. Utility Xcel Energy will collect the tax.
The money will fund energy audits for homes and businesses. Residents that choose to purchase wind power will not be assessed the tax.
In 2002, The city council adopted the goals of the Kyoto climate treaty and created its own Climate Action Plan.
The carbon tax won with about 58 percent of the vote.