WASHINGTON — For efforts launched on the eve of the 2002 Olympics to help reduce "greenhouse gases," Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has won the Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman gave Anderson the Award Tuesday night — Earth Day — as part of the Earth Technologies Forum, a national conference highlighting technological progress in protecting the environment.
Anderson is also scheduled to make a formal speech and presentation to the conference today about city efforts to help slow global warming.
Drusilla Hufford, director of global programs for the EPA, issued a statement saying her agency was "proud to herald the work of Mayor Anderson as a leader in climate protection."
She said his efforts — highlighted to the world as part of the Olympics — benefited "not only the citizens, the environment and the businesses of Salt Lake City but served as an inspiration for many other cities both in the United States and abroad."
The nomination by the EPA for the award to Anderson listed several initiatives by the city as it seeks by 2012 to reduce greenhouse gases by 7 percent below the city's 1990 levels. Those steps include:
Installation of 861 LED traffic signals that use less electricity, saving 241 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and $32,901 in energy costs each year.
Installing more efficient lighting in the City-County Building, saving 344 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and $33,368 in energy costs annually.
Switching to bio-diesel fuel for airport ground service equipment, saving an estimated 229 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Seeking to buy electricity generated by wind power for the city.
Seeking to convert the city's fleets to 100 percent alternative fuel vehicles.
Increasing recycling efforts; seeking a landfill gas project; pushing a high-performance buildings initiative; and pushing an urban forestry effort.
From his hotel in Washington, Anderson said he was delighted with the award.
"We're thrilled at the recognition and also at the opportunity to serve as an example to local governments worldwide in demonstrating what local governments can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Anderson said.
Contributing: Brady Snyder
E-MAIL: lee@desnews.com