Clinton offers his congrats

Oberlin College president Marvin Krislove read the following letter from former President Bill Clinton at a ceremony Thursday, when the city of Oberlin and Oberlin College signed memorandums of understanding to join the Clinton Climate Initiative.

Warm greetings to all those celebrating the entry of the city of Oberlin and Oberlin College into the Climate Positive Development program. I regret that I'm unable to be there in person, but I'm pleased to have this occasion to thank you for joining people around the world who are creating sustainable communities -- ones that use clean energy instead of fossil fuels and implement intelligent and efficient practices in water use and waste management.

I am very excited about Oberlin's plans and the unique partnership involving both the city and the college. All of the city's infrastructure will be powered using clean energy. Public buildings and the college will become more energy efficient, and privately-owned buildings and homes will have the opportunity to do so as well. Oberlin will stand as an inspiring example of revitalizing the Rust Belt while creating green collar jobs. My Foundation's Climate Initiative and the U.S. Green Building Council are proud that Oberlin is joining the 17 projects already striving for Climate Positive status, showing that small cities are capable of big deeds.

Best wishes for a wonderful event and for much success in your important efforts.

Bill Clinton