By Amanda Estes

Staff Writer

    In an effort to reduce the threat of global warming, South Portland could become the next “Cool City.”

    A program of the Sierra Club, “Cool Cities,” asks
communities to demonstrate their support for renewable energy sources
and energy conservation by signing the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection
Agreement. During Monday’s workshop, the city council considered
joining the several communities in Maine and the 648 cities nationwide
that have already signed the agreement.

    The council will determine whether to authorize
Mayor Claude Morgan to sign the agreement at the Sept. 5 meeting.

    “We’ve just started and already it’s gained a lot of
momentum, “ said Kathy Robertson of the Maine Chapter of the Sierra
Club during her presentation to the council.

    Robertson said the Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club
is part of Maine Partners for Cool Communities, which is a group of
Maine organizations that can help communities with efforts to improve
their environment and public health, while boosting the economy with
new technology.

    Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels created the U.S. Mayor’s
Climate Protection Agreement in February 2005 following the enactment
of the Kyoto Protocol, which the United States refused to ratify. The
agreement calls for communities to meet or exceed the goals outlined in
the Kyoto Protocol including reducing pollution levels to seven percent
below 1990 levels by 2012.

    Acting City Manager Jim Gailey said he would obtain
a letter from a representative at the congressional level or department
of energy after Councilor Jim Soule requested an opportunity to hear
“from the other side” about why the federal government refused to
ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

    “I think we need to think globally and ask why the U.S. did not engage in Kyoto to begin with,” he said.

    Morgan echoed some of Soule’s concerns and said the
Kyoto inclusion was “unfortunate” as it “makes it political.”

    Although unsure what body would represent the “other
side,” Robinson said the Senate’s refusal to ratify Kyoto was due to
the belief it would be “too onerous on the economy” and its
restrictions for countries such as China and India were lax.

    Councilor Jim Hughes suggested the council consider
signing the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Office of
Innovation’s Governor’s Carbon Challenge, which together with the Maine
Public Utilities Commission, provides information about clean energy
and energy efficiency.

    Hughes said the Governor’s Carbon Challenge is
“Kyoto free,” but he added signing the mayor’s agreement was not a
matter of agreeing or disagreeing with the Kyoto Protocol.

    Belfast, Biddeford, Portland and Saco were the first
Maine communities to join “Cool Cities.” Boothbay Harbor, Freeport,
Falmouth, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Rockland and Yarmouth have followed
suit.  

    Once a community signs the agreement, they are asked
to form a “Cool City” committee to organize an energy audit, create a
solutions plan and then implement action. Robinson said it is best to
“take action with the low hanging fruit first” and then move onto
bigger issues.     

    Robinson said Freeport has implemented an energy
saving policy in municipal buildings by not setting thermostats below
74 degrees in the summer or above 68 degrees in the winter. Kennebunk
has also implemented a policy that all new appliances must be Energy
Star certified. Promoting the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED
building standards should also be a priority.  

    Other points of action include implementing a
no-idling policy, converting fleets to hybrid vehicles, creating more
bicycle and motorcycle police patrols, offering incentives for
carpooling and promoting public transit and walking as alternative
methods of transportation.

    According to the agreement, communities should also
adhere to land use policies that reduce sprawl and preserve open space.
 

    Installing more efficient LED lights in traffic
signals and exit signs. Robinson said 80 percent of the traffic lights
in Portland are LED and Keene, New Hampshire has experienced an annual
savings of $38,000 and 15 tons of carbon dioxide since installing LED
lights.

    Robinson also encouraged the use of renewable energy
such as solar and wind power. She said South Portland’s “advantageous
spot near the ocean” might be ideal for harnessing wind power.

    “I think this is a step in the right direction,”
said Councilor Maxine Beecher. “Once we have a resolve, it’s easier to
educate and encourage our constituency.”

    Gailey said the city has been successful in its attempts to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

    Last winter, Representative Jane Eberle sponsored a
law that provides loans for energy efficient improvements to city and
school buildings. Gailey said he has drafted a request for proposal or
RFP for an energy audit.

    Regarding transportation, Gailey pointed to a switch
to biodiesel fuel for the municipal fleet and the city’s commitment to
purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles that get at least 30 miles. 
Last year, the city also purchased carbon credits to offset the
electricity for the lighting of the Christmas tree in Mill Creek Park.
This year, Gailey said the city purchased 11,175 light bulbs that will
provide a 90 percent savings in electricity consumption.