Nashville Expands Free Parking To Altfuel Vehicles

In Tennessee, the Nashville Metro Council has expanded its free downtown parking plan for "clean technology" vehicles powered by electricity, gas-electric hybrids, or biofuels because it was felt that not enough people would be able to afford those vehicles, making the policy more or less useless. The free parking is being extended to drivers who buy carbon credits from NGOs doing environmentally friend projects in the Nashville area.

The Metro Council approved the program on June 7, six months after it voted to allow free parking for drivers of "clean technology" vehicles powered by electricity, gas-electric hybrids or biofuels.

Councilman Charlie Tygard, the sponsor of the newest program, said he thinks the law approved in December will have limited impact because most people can't afford to buy such vehicles.

"The goal is to make this program available to any citizen if they're willing to invest in carbon offsets," Tygard said.

Participants will have to buy the offsets from a "qualified nonprofit organization" that meets certain standards and uses the money for environmentally beneficial projects in Nashville. They also will have to buy a $10 sticker from the Davidson County Clerk's office.

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