City council to discuss climate change pact

The city of Elgin probably isn't the first place you think of when discussing ways to address global warming.

But city officials say that shouldn't stop them from doing their part to protect the environment.

The Elgin City Council tonight plans to discuss the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a non-binding pact intended to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Hundreds of communities already have signed the agreement, which was introduced in 2005 after the federal government decided against signing the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

"There's some economic sense to it," council member Dave Kaptain said. "There's a lot of environmental sense to it. It solidifies our position as a 'green' community."

The idea to sign the climate protection agreement was first raised in June by a member of Elgin's new Slow Global Warming group.

The agreement asks community leaders to meet or beat the emission reduction targets established in the Kyoto Protocol.

That can mean anything from buying fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles for city fleets to using more energy efficient lights, preserving open space and planting trees.

Kaptain said city officials have been doing a lot of these things for years.

For instance, he said, the city has been generating electricity at its wastewater facility for decades.

"I think it's the right thing to do," Kaptain said. "We're getting to be a big city. I don't think it's a big burden on the community. You set some goals. You do the best you can. "

Signing the agreement would be the latest in a series of efforts intended to make Elgin a "green" community.

For instance, city officials are looking to bring in an environmental consultant.

And council members say they've tossed around the idea of using solar power on a limited basis as a heating source at city buildings.

The city council is scheduled to discuss the climate protection agreement during its 6 p.m. meeting at city hall.