Pee Dee Group, South Carolina Chapter, Sierra Club
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  Florence, SC 29502
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Becoming a "Cool City," Florence Joins the Magnificent Seven  

Florence, SC ­ Florence became South Carolina's seventh "Cool City" on April 22 when its city council passed a resolution endorsing the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.

 Anita Longan of the Pee Dee Group of the Sierra Club helped provide resources leading to Florence's resolution endorsing the U.S. Mayors Climate Projection Agreement.

 "We would like to give special thanks to the vision and leadership of the Florence City Council, Mayor Frank Willis, and Mr. Drew Griffin, Florence County's Director of Utilities and Public Works," said David Wach, vice-chair of the Pee Dee Sierra Group and a Florence resident.  

Over 800 cities from all parts of the country have now endorsed the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. According to the Agreement, cities strive to meet or beat the 2005 Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions by seven percent from 1990 levels by 2012.  Initiatives passed in the Florence city council resolution include encouraging development and redevelopment of infill rather than urban sprawl, preservation of open spaces, and the creation of walkable neighborhoods, promoting alternative transportation opportunities, emphasizing energy efficiency in new buildings and in the renovation of existing buildings, and encouraging Energy Star appliances in city appliance purchases.  

"The City of Florence has joined a growing national movement to address climate change where it matters most— at the local level," said Sierra Club of South Carolina Director John Ramsburgh. The other six South Carolina "Cool Cities" are: Charleston, Clemson, Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill, and Sumter.  

Other local conservation organizations added their appreciation. Carolyn Jebaily, a Florence resident and Project Director with Conservation Voters of South Carolina said, "It is encouraging to see local leadership make a commitment to addressing global warming and climate change.  Hopefully, this will encourage the same kind of commitment from our leadership at the federal level." And Peggy Brown, Chair of Responsible Economic Development in Florence and Director of Natural Resources for the League of Women Voters of South Carolina observed, "I am proud the City of Florence has taken this step. This campaign is about increasing our energy independence and security through greater efficiency and clean, homegrown energy sources." In addition to its "Cool Cities" campaign, the Sierra Club has also launched a nationwide "Cool Counties" campaign.  In November of last year, the Richland County Council became the first county in South Carolina to endorse the national "Cool Counties" resolution.