2/28/08

Reducing carbon emissions the goal of local car dealer

Rodland Toyota recently launched the first program in Puget Sound to offer customers the opportunity to make hybrid cars carbon-neutral “plus.”

Through February 29, customers will receive free carbon offsets when they purchase a Toyota Prius. For as little as $5 per month, current Prius and hybrid Camry owners can make their vehicles carbon-neutral “plus.”

Carbon offsets allow businesses and individuals to offset greenhouse gas emissions from their cars or buildings. For an even more positive impact, people can help reduce more emissions than their lifestyle produces by offsetting 110 percent of their emission footprint, becoming carbon-neutral “plus.” Money generated from the purchase of carbon offsets funds clean energy solutions like solar, wind and methane-capture projects.

A Seattle company, NetGreen, is partnering with Rodland Toyota to ensure that $15 in carbon offsets will reduce a ton of greenhouse gas.

“We all have emissions that are unavoidable,” said NetGreen’s Linda VerNooy, “and the carbon offset program allows individuals to offset that impact by helping to fund clean energy elsewhere.”

Buzz Rodland, owner of Rodland Toyota, asked NetGreen to evaluate his dealership’s emissions from electricity and heating, resulting in the purchase of carbon offsets to reduce 219 tons of greenhouse gas. NetGreen has certified the Everett dealership as carbon-neutral.

Going beyond auto emissions, Rodland Toyota and NetGreen are encouraging local residents and businesses to consider their entire impact on the earth’s resources. NetGreen’s Web site, www.achievenetgreen.com, provides an emissions calculator to estimate greenhouse gas created by your home and automobiles, with carbon offset purchases available on the site.

“Companies like Rodland Toyota can make a real difference to the health of our planet, both by being carbon-neutral in their own operation and by encouraging their customers to become carbon-neutral as well,” said VerNooy.