Rocky to tout city's green, clean efforts

The United Nations is apparently developing an affinity for Salt Lake City's globally thinking mayor.

For the second time in three years, Anderson has been invited to speak at the U.N.'s annual environmental caucus, the Conference of Parties. This year's big event is in Buenos Aires and is the 10th anniversary of the COP.

Anderson will spend four days in Argentina, Dec. 11-14, and will speak several times about what Salt Lake City is doing to be a more environmentally friendly city.

Anderson's trip is being paid for by a federal grant awarded to the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, which runs a Cities for Climate Protection campaign in which Salt Lake City participates.

At the council's U.S. headquarters in Berkeley, Calif., Bob Price said Salt Lake City is "the vanguard" of environmentally friendly U.S. cities.

"Salt Lake City is on of the premier participants in our Cities for Climate Protection campaign," he said. "Really, a lot of credit for that goes to Mayor Anderson."

Under Anderson, Salt Lake City Corp. has purchased renewable wind power, put low-watt bulbs in city light fixtures and replaced green, yellow and red traffic-light bulbs with more energy-efficient alternatives.

The city is also working to keep its vehicle fleet clean and has purchased three-wheeled natural gas vehicles for many of its parking enforcement officers.

It's the second time Anderson has been asked to speak at the conference. In 2002, again at the council's request, he attended the conference in New Delhi. After spending a few days in India, he became an advocate against the sex trade of young girls in that country.

In New Delhi, Anderson told the conference how one city can make a difference to help the environment worldwide.

Lisa Romney, Anderson's administrative assistant for environmental relations, said Anderson's recognition shows Salt Lake City is a good environmental example for other cities to follow.

"He will be there to present how we are doing and show support for climate protection among the cities in the United States," she said.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com