In Salt Lake City, we have shown how measures to reduce energy consumption and to utilize clean, alternative energy sources promotes a better quality of life, saves taxpayers� money, and is central to long-term economic growth. Sound, effective stewardship over the environment and our natural resources has been a central effort of our administration. Thanks to the work of many people throughout City government and the business and nonprofit communities, particularly the City�s three energetic, dedicated environmental professionals�Jordan Gates, Vicki Bennett, and Stephanie Duer�and Beverly Miller, the Clean Cities Coordinator, Salt Lake City has become a world leader for climate protection and long-term sustainability.

In 2001, we created the Salt Lake City Green program, a comprehensive initiative designed to enhance sustainability, promote public health, and improve the efficiency of government and corporate operations. One critical facet of Salt Lake City Green is our Climate Protection Campaign. There is vast scientific consensus testifying to the reality and dangers of global warming, including unequivocal consensus by thousands of scientists from over 100 countries participating in the International Panel on Climate Change, and the national scientific academies of 20 nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, and Japan. In response to the growing consensus, in 2002, I committed Salt Lake City to reduce emissions of global warming pollution from our municipal operations 21% from 2001 levels by 2012. Already, we have surpassed that target by 148%, six years early, by reducing greenhouse

gas emissions from our municipal operations by 31% from 2001 levels. We have saved money at the same time.

We have made great improvements to our City fleet to save money, improve efficiency, and combat global warming. We got rid of forty-one gas-guzzling SUVs and purchased smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. We now have eighty-nine compressed natural gas vehicles in our fleet. With the increased use of bio-diesel fuel, 31% of all City vehicles now operate using alternative fuels, including 62% of the City�s heavy vehicles. Fifty-two percent of the Airport�s light vehicle fleet and 100% of its shuttle buses operate using clean burning compressed natural gas. Natural gas is domestically produced, it emits almost no criteria air pollutants, and it is far less expensive than normal gasoline.