Town officials to converge for climate summit

More than 130 city and town officials from across the state are heading to New Haven on Saturday to attend the Municipal Summit on Climate Action, a day-long forum sponsored by Gov. M. Jodi Rell's Steering Committee on Climate Change.

"We need local officials to assume a greater leadership role on the issue of climate change, and this first-of-its-kind summit is designed to support them in making real and measurable progress," Rell said. "While the challenges posed by climate change may seem daunting, our local leaders are discovering that strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can actually help reduce municipal operating costs, stimulate our emerging green economy and foster healthy and livable communities."

The summit is being supported by the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation. The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is being held at Yale's Kroon Hall, a new building certified as LEED Platinum, meaning it meets strict energy efficiency standards.