Sierra Club Commends Haralson

The Norman Transcript

Editor, The Transcript:

The Red Earth Group of the Oklahoma Sierra Club congratulates and commends Norman's mayor Harold Haralson on being the first Oklahoma mayor to sign the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. As of Dec. 2, 192 mayors signed the agreement. Under the agreement, participating cities commit to three actions:

· Strive to meet or beat Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects and public information campaigns.

· Urge state and federal governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat greenhouse gas emission reduction targets suggested for the Kyoto Protocol -- 7 percent reduction from 1990 levels to 2012.

· Urge the Congress to pass the Bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act. The act would establish a national emission trading system.

According to Norman's Environmental Service Coordinator Debra Smith, the city has begun taking action in several areas. Norman's "2025 Plan" and Greenbelt Commission are addressing the issues of sprawl and land use. Our City Forester has overseen the planting of hundreds of trees to promote a healthy urban forest. Trees increase shading and help absorb carbon dioxide.

Norman is working toward increased fuel efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by the city's fleet of vehicles. The city manager has asked for a 30 percent reduction in fuel usage. The Fleet Department and a specialty formed committee have been asked to submit ideas and make suggestions on ways to accomplish this goal. One hybrid vehicle was recently purchased, and the savings in fuel costs will help determine possible purchases of additional hybrids.

Opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems are being evaluated. The city currently has the ability to recover methane from its wastewater systems for use as a power source, but has no means of storage. Therefore, at this point, energy from this source is only used as a backup.

Also in the beginning stages are efforts to promote transportation options for citizens and to increase Norman's rate of recycling.

As these practices become more established, additional measures are planned to be added to Norman's pro-environmental operating procedures.

The Sierra Club applauds Mayor Haralson's leadership in signing the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. We thank him for being concerned for our future and for turning his concern into action.

RED EARTH GROUP NORMAN SIERRA CLUB