http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004001914_webgreenbuildtax08.html

I like the idea of what they are trying to do, but they're going about it in a "pieces of flare" kind of way ("if you want everyone to wear 37 pieces of flair... then why dont you make the minimum 37 pieces of flair?").

If they want the minimum home to be a green home, then update the code so that all homes built to code will be green homes, then tax homes that aren't up to the energy code (motivator for green renovation), and then give credit rewards to homes that are 30% beyond code requirements, etc. You don't want to punish people for building to code.

Either way, would be a cool idea for Seattle. Cmon mayor, dont let portland out-green us.

^^

How about old (non-green) homes that low-income people live in?

^^

How about old (non-green) homes that low-income people live in?

Those would still be taxed even under their plan. My beef is with the language. Even though those homes meet code, they are still getting taxed more for not exceeding the regular building code. Why not just up the building code?

Those would still be taxed even under their plan. My beef is with the language. Even though those homes meet code, they are still getting taxed more for not exceeding the regular building code. Why not just up the building code?

Besides that, I love the idea. We should take advantage of this opprotunity, with all the new developments/redevelopments going on, to truly make at least 90% of Seattle energy efficient and be able to set a world-class example for a "green-sustainable" metropolis.

Just raise the utility tax; it should accomplsih the same thing. The Portland proposal disgusts me myself. I am sick of giant government intruding into everyone's lives. The market can and will take care of things by itself. Don't believe me? Just look at all of those pig ugly Priuses out there.

Either way, would be a cool idea for Seattle. Cmon mayor, dont let portland out-green us.


Don't you mean out red us?

Just raise the utility tax; it should accomplsih the same thing. The Portland proposal disgusts me myself. I am sick of giant government intruding into everyone's lives. The market can and will take care of things by itself. Don't believe me? Just look at all of those pig ugly Priuses out there.

Let me guess: you're not a fan of hybrids (since most hybrids driven in the U.S. are Priuses)?

Let me guess: you're not a fan of hybrids (since most hybrids driven in the U.S. are Priuses)?

I am a fan of whatever you want to drive, that does not go out of the way to endanger me. I think it is great people buy them; freedom and free markets are grand. I will never buy one; concerns over the battery, doesn't quite pencil out economically unless we see even higher gas prices, the environmental destruction caused by the demand for hybred and solar power batteries, and they are too smugly for me. I can't wait for hydrogen cars myself.

i think this could end up tearing down alot of pretty old homes, one of portland's best aspects imho. would really be a shame.

i think this could end up tearing down alot of pretty old homes, one of portland's best aspects imho. would really be a shame. Agreed, and this will push up the cost of housing in Portland again, forcing more people to move out of the growth boundary area and into formerly rural areas. When I was in Vancouver, WA in Sept. I was shocked at how far the 'burbs had moved out in the 10 years since I moved away.