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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 200%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">June 2, 2017</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 75px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian Treece
<br />City of Columbia Mayor
<br />573-874-7222
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<br />Barbara Buffaloe
<br />Office of Sustainability
<br />573-817-5025</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:200%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Columbia Mayor Brian Treece commits to climate change initiatives</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Friday, June 2, City of Columbia Mayor Brian Treece joined over 80 U.S. mayors to strengthen local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission and combat climate change. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Climate change is a major concern in the Midwest, and has a direct impact on insurance losses, insurance premiums and economic competitiveness," Treece said. "Columbia is encouraged by the partnerships forming with other cities, universities, and businesses to support creating good jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By signing on to </span><a href="http://www.climate-mayors.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Climate Mayors</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> -- a coalition of U.S. mayors working together -- Columbia joins regional neighbors St. Louis and Kansas City in keeping commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the local environment and economy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Columbia has long been a leader in sustainability," Treece said. "Working together to address climate change is part of the City's culture and values."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2004, Columbia was the first Missouri city to adopt a </span><a href="https://www.como.gov/WaterandLight/Electric/renewableenergyportfolio.php"><span style="font-weight: 400;">renewable energy portfolio</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> ordinance - expecting 15 percent of energy consumed from renewable resources this year. The </span><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/codemaster/attachment.php?ordid=16127"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was signed in 2006</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> which implemented a culture of sustainability within municipal operations. The </span><a href="http://www.como.gov/sustainability/awards/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mayor's Climate Protection Awards</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> was established in 2014 to recognize local businesses and organizations that walk the talk for sustainability. The City of Columbia 2016-2019 Strategic Plan
sets a </span><a href="http://www.como.gov/strategic-plan/category/social-equity/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">goal to reduce carbon emissions</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in Columbia. Columbia also received a </span><a href="http://www.como.gov/sustainability/star/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">3 STAR certification</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2016 recognizing sustainable leadership and the opportunities for improvement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The recent action by the White House to withdraw from the Paris Agreement does not stop Columbia's efforts," Treece said. "And it should motivate all of us to support action on climate change."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By signing on to Climate Mayors, Columbia is committing to adopting, honoring and upholding the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Signatories will intensify efforts to meet their cities' current climate goals, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Treece will ask the Columbia City Council to support this initiative at the Monday, June 5 City Council meeting and to support directing staff to establish goals and metrics for reporting progress.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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