Mayor Signs Climate Protection Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2006

For more information, contact:
Danise Alano, Assistant Director of Economic Development, City of Bloomington, 349-3477
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

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Bloomington, IN -- Celebrating Earth Day 2006 a day early, Mayor Mark Kruzan officially signed the United States Mayors Climate Protection Agreement today at City Hall. Kruzan joins 224 mayors from 39 states in signing the agreement. The agreement calls for reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the nation and globally.
The agreement stems from the refusal of the federal government to ratify the United Nations Kyoto Protocol that took effect February 2005. "Due to federal inaction, cities throughout the nation are taking local action to reduce global warming pollution," Kruzan said.

"I've long wanted to become a signatory to the agreement," Kruzan said, "but I didn't want to do so until we had a plan of action in place to actually reduce pollution. Today, I'm able to sign a commitment on behalf of the City of Bloomington that is more than symbolic."

On June 13, 2005, the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was passed unanimously by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Since then, mayors across the country have continued to sign on to the accord.

Kruzan noted that the City has already taken environmentally friendly steps toward pollution prevention and reduction. Specifically, he listed:

• The City has initiated an internal city government "Team Green" made up of representatives of every City department and aimed at identifying and implementing energy conservation methods and sustainable practices for all City-owned properties.
• The new City of Bloomington Utilities Department Headquarters will incorporate multiple sustainable features such as a high efficiency electrical design, low flow toilets and sinks, rain cisterns and permeable pavements.
• City vehicles now operate on soy-biodiesel fuel resulting in lower air emissions.
• The creation of the Commission of Sustainability will play key role in public awareness efforts.
• The City's Environmental Commission has undertaken a preliminary greenhouse emissions inventory for the community.

Kruzan also outlined a dozen ways citizens can play a part in helping Bloomington put meaning into the Mayors Agreement:

• Buy organic, locally grown food
• Use cloth bags when shopping
• Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs
• Reduce driving trips
• Compost
• Purchase Energy Star appliances
• Wash clothes in warm or cold water
• Air-dry laundry
• Lobby your legislators
• Make your home more energy efficient
• Increase your understanding of the issues
• Educate others

Learn what you can do to [reduce greenhouse gas emissions|file:What_You_Can_Do.pdf].