Hurricane officials plan to join four other West Virginia cities in a fight against global warming.

Mayor Scott Edwards said he would present a resolution to City Council members on Monday to have the city adopt the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement that the United States has not signed.

The mayors of Fayetteville, Morgantown, Oak Hill and Shepherdstown have already signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, in which mayors pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Edwards said joining the other cities would help Hurricane officials get eco-friendly ideas from other mayors and solidify its commitment to the environment.

"If we all do this together, it'll keep it at the top of our list," he said. "We all need to push each other."

Across the country, more than 800 mayors have signed the pledge.

Going green can save the city money, too, Hurricane officials said.

Last month, an audit by the state's Division of Energy found that Hurricane could save $7,300 a year by switching to more energy-efficient ballasts and light bulbs in its municipal buildings, said City Manager Ben Newhouse.

Hurricane officials plan to join four other West Virginia cities in a fight against global warming.

Mayor Scott Edwards said he would present a resolution to City Council members on Monday to have the city adopt the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement that the United States has not signed.

The mayors of Fayetteville, Morgantown, Oak Hill and Shepherdstown have already signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, in which mayors pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Edwards said joining the other cities would help Hurricane officials get eco-friendly ideas from other mayors and solidify its commitment to the environment.

"If we all do this together, it'll keep it at the top of our list," he said. "We all need to push each other."

Across the country, more than 800 mayors have signed the pledge.

Going green can save the city money, too, Hurricane officials said.

Last month, an audit by the state's Division of Energy found that Hurricane could save $7,300 a year by switching to more energy-efficient ballasts and light bulbs in its municipal buildings, said City Manager Ben Newhouse.

The new lighting will cost $12,700, so the city is applying for a state grant to cover half the costs, he said.

Hurricane officials also plan to look at the energy-efficiency of its building insulation; explore using synthetic oil in vehicles; consider installing timed lighting in offices; and having city employees carpool for work-related drives.

"If we need two inspectors to go to a site, why not just ride together?" Edwards said.

They also want more residents to participate in a rain barrel workshop program from the state Department of Environmental Protection. The program teaches people to make their own rain barrels, helping to conserve water.

"Why water your lawn from the spigot?" Edwards said. "The plants don't mind if the water's from your roof."

Eventually, the mayor said he would like the city to help educate all residents about other ways to go green.

"Once we kind of have our plan together, we want to make the public aware that there's different things they can do within their households," he said.

To contact staff writer Alison Knezevich, use e-mail or call 348-1240.