An interview with Mayor Bruce Morgan of Union.
What kind of energy initiatives is Union pursuing?
In April 2007 we finished converting all of our city’s diesel engine vehicles to run on B20, a mixture of diesel and soybean-based fuels. We’ve also teamed up with private companies – Verde Bio Fuels Inc., Bell Petroleum, and Palmetto State Clean Fuels – to provide E85 for our city’s growing flex-fuel fleet and for city residents. We’re also using GPS (global satellite positioning) technology to map service routes, saving time and money. And we’re conducting energy audits of all our city’s buildings to cut costs.
What has the response been like?
Overwhelming. In terms of direct benefits, our cars and trucks run cleaner and get better gas mileage. But indirectly, there is a whole new attitude in Union about promoting green technologies. Our city council has endorsed the mass production of flex-fuel plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and we’re in discussions with General Motors about obtaining a hybrid Chevy truck. We feel we have an opportunity to promote South Carolina’s green economy.
What does our state have to gain by “going green?”
I think our Congressman Bob Inglis summed it up best in September 2007 when he called our efforts a “triple play.” Union is cleaning up the air, creating jobs by promoting these new technologies, and improving the security of the United States. By reducing their dependence on foreign energy sources, residents of Union are acting on their patriotism.
What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Governor’s Climate Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee?
Our goal is to make recommendations that will support both the environment and the economy. South Carolina has tremendous homegrown energy resources, and a recent study demonstrated that our state ranks third nationally in its potential for manufacturing jobs in solar and wind technologies. And yet today we import most of our energy, which does nothing to develop our renewable energy sector but does a lot to support hostile regimes.
What would you like to see happen at the State House to promote a greener South Carolina?
We were pleased to see the Energy Freedom and Rural Development Act pass last year, as well as the LEED-buildings legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Ritchie and Representative Joan Brady. Our green businesses would benefit from tax incentives that promote biomass, wind and solar energy. And by giving South Carolinians a sales tax exemption for Energy Star appliances, we can help promote greater energy efficiency among residential customers
As of January 2008, six South Carolina mayors have joined the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to lower carbon emissions in their municipalities: Joe Riley, Charleston; Bob Coble, Columbia; Larry Abernathy, Clemson; Knox White, Greenville; Joseph McElveen, Sumter and Doug Echols, Rock Hill.
For more information:
Steve Moore, SCWF, 843-559-1999;
Art Von Lehe, CCL, 843-723-7933;
John Hartz, Sierra Club, 803-586-9711