Jasper has agreed to pursue the sale of carbon credits accumulated through its composting programs.

Council agreed by a 4-2 decision on Jan. 19 to investigate selling carbon credits accumulated through the town’s composting program. Coun. Rico Damota and Mayor Richard Ireland opposed the decision. Coun. Gloria Kongsrud was absent.

The vote means Jasper will enter into a contract with KC Environmental in an attempt to sell carbon credits accumulated through its composting program.

Environmental stewardship co-ordinator Lori Rissling-Wynn said the town could earn about $50,000 in net profits through the sale of credits accumulated from 2002 from its biosolids composting program, and another $8,000 to $10,000 from its kitchen organics program.

Rissling-Wynn said there are pros and cons to the program, but that the decision ultimately fell to council.

Coun. Brenda Zinck said she recognized there are issues with the program, but the municipality will have a greater ability to sway legislation if they participate in the program.

“If you don’t participate, how do you provide constructive feedback,” Coun. Zinck said.

Coun. Mike Day said the program will benefit the people of Jasper, as the town will continue to compost regardless of the legislation.

“We’re not going to stop composting. What possible harm could it do?” Coun. Day said.

Rissling-Wynn said the program won’t change Jasper’s composting program, which will expand. Council agreed to purchase $40,000 worth of compost bins in the capital budget.

Coun. Ralph Melnyk said the program presented a long term solution.

Mayor Richard Ireland was still unimpressed with the program, stating in its current form, it does little to cut carbon emissions, as it is centred on intensity-based targets as opposed to outright reductions. He suggested the proposed legislation only seeks to manage carbon credits as opposed to cutting them outright.

“Why would we opt into a program knowing it only deals with intensity based targets,” Mayor Ireland said.

He also suggested carbon credits could have a lasting value, and could be considered an asset to sell at another time.

“There’s nothing to say the value is lost if we don’t jump now,” Mayor Ireland said.

Coun. Damota said he also wasn’t comfortable with the plan, as his research had indicated deeper problems with selling carbon credits.