Join the "climate conversation" at Sandpoint Mayor Ray Miller's Citizen Blog  
http://sandpoint-mayor-raymiller.tripod.com/CITIZENSBLOG/
 
SANDPOINT, Idaho  ~  Mayor Ray Miller became the first mayor in
North Idaho to sign the U.S. Mayor¹s Climate Protection Agreement Thursday,
committing his city to cutting greenhouse gases that contribute to global
warming.
 
"Taking steps to save energy just makes good sense," Miller said to a crowd
of high school students, business leaders and supporters attending in the
blustery pre-Earth Day weather at Sandpoint City Beach. "Whether you¹re
doing it for the economy or for the environment, it just makes sense to do
these things."
 
Miller joins five mayors in southern Idaho and another 453 mayors across the
country who have signed the agreement, and formalized their commitment to
become more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gases.
 
Miller also announced Thursday that the city has hired Avista Utilities to
do an energy analysis of the city¹s facilities and has contracted with an
engineering firm to determine how to capture and convert to energy methane
gas at the wastewater treatment plant.
 
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement urges federal and state
governments to take action to address global warming, and commits the city
to become more energy efficient, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and
educate the public in order to meet or exceed the goals set forth by the
Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate change.
 
Coldwater Creek founder and CEO Dennis Pence attended Thursday's ceremony to
praise Sandpoint and emphasize the importance of clean energy for the
planet¹s future. Coldwater Creek was awarded the 2006 Green Power Leadership
Award for offsetting 100 percent of its energy use by purchasing wind power.
 
Miller was asked to sign the agreement by Climate Change Action Network
(ClimateCAN) and the Idaho Conservation League.
 
"The climate is changing. We need to act swiftly and decisively to reduce
our global warming pollutants, and we need to prepare for the changes that
are to come," said KarenLamb, interim director for ClimateCAN.
 
"ClimateCAN is thankful to be working with a mayor who is as
forward-thinking as Mayor Miller," she said.
 
ClimateCAN is a new grassroots organization in Idaho dedicated to promoting
policies and practices that increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse
gases. The group formed following a fall conference on climate change
sponsored by the Idaho Conservation League, whose mission is to protect
Idaho¹s wildlands, clean water, clean air and quality of life.
 
"Idahoans live close to nature and we can¹t help but notice the impacts of
global warming from shrinking snowpacks and river runoff, to more frequent
droughts and forest fires," said Susan Drumheller, North Idaho Associate for
the Idaho Conservation League.
 
"The scientific jury has determined that global warming is real, it¹s
happening," Drumheller said. "But I¹m heartened by the fact that Mayor
Miller is taking a leadership role in helping North Idaho face up to this
challenge."
 
As part of the agreement, Sandpoint will create a Climate Action Plan to
guide decisions and policies that will help it to achieve its goals. One of
the first steps is to conduct a baseline inventory of the city¹s global
warming pollutants so it can identify where reductions can be made.
 
The city won¹t be undertaking the work alone, however. ClimateCAN has made a
commitment to assist with any research and logistics necessary to create the
plan, drawing from both its membership and a strong network of national
resources. ClimateCAN is committed also to educating the public on how the
community as a whole can become part of the solution.
 
"ClimateCAN looks forward to working with the Mayor Miller and the city on
this venture, as well as with the community and, hopefully, the county,"
Lamb said.
 
The group has held education events to involve everyone in protecting the
planet's future. Individual actions can be as simple as replacing
incandescent light bulbs with florescent light bulbs or consolidating
errands to use less gas.
 
"Collectively, we will all make a difference. We must take action to protect
the quality of life we enjoy now for our children and grandchildren," Lamb said.
 
Miller challenged community members to get involved by joining a "community
conversation" on a new website he's created, http://sandpoint-mayor-raymiller.tripod.com. 
 
For more information about the U.S. Mayor¹s Agreement, go to www.coolmayors.com