By Virak Kchao
February 11, 2008

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Environmental Committee held a meeting January 24 in conjunction with the Conference of Mayors Winter meeting to discuss a variety of significant issues including brownfields, water, the Energy Efficiency Block Grant and recycling.

Environmental Committee Vice-Chair Cuyahoga Falls (OH) Mayor Don Robart led the session and urged mayors to sign up in full support of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG). The program would provide funding directly to cities, counties and states to boost local communities by improving energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse emissions and encourage new technology ideas. EECBG would also help in the reclamation of brownfield lands. Most importantly, Robart claimed that this all will assist in city efforts to combat climate change.

Pat Persico, Manager of Corporate Communications at Novelis Corporation, reported accomplishments attained by the Cans for Cash program. Over 191 million used beverage cans were collected. This act prevented the release of over 24 million tons of carbon emissions into the atmosphere or the equivalent of removing 25,000 vehicles off the road.

Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Chair of the Brownfields Task Force, outlined the findings of the most recent brownfields report and discussed the need for reauthorization of the Brownfields Bill to address the underutilization of brownfields and great potential for local economic boost. The latest report showed 160 cities successfully redeveloped brownfield sites and brownfields had the possibility of earning $1.3-3.8 billion in tax revenue. Bollwage pointed out more than 3,000 sites have been mothballed, which are defined as sites where the owners have no intention to redevelop or sell due to environmental concerns. West Sacramento (CA) Mayor Christopher Cabaldon is concerned that standards are too high, which discourage development and promote sprawl. Also stressed by Bollwage was that more attention and effort is needed towards smaller sites since they are more common than bigger sites. Atlanta (GA) Mayor Shirley Franklin said that more federal, state, and local participation was needed to jumpstart brownfields development. Atlanta showed gains of $7 million to $70 million in tax revenue from redeveloped brownfields.

Jim Hanlon, Director of Wastewater Management at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on Planning for Water Supply in a Stressed Environment, showcased the growing concern of water availability due to greater population growth in the United States. Hanlon projected that there is enough water to last the U.S. 100 more years. The U.S. population currently at 333 million people is shown to grow upwards of ten percent by 2020 and 30 percent in next 20 years, which will prove to be a big problem. Hanlon said that innovation on water infrastructure is needed for sustainable practices. This will include better utility management, increase costs, performance requirements, and aging infrastructure will need to be incorporated in decision-making. In over ten years, 36 states have had non-drought related water shortages. Upwards spending of $276.8 billion is needed to fix water infrastructure problems. A water sense program, like the Energy Star program, was recommended to help deal with water issues. Hanlon suggested guidelines be in place for companies to have Water Sense certified products be incorporated into new or retrofitted housing.

Preliminary findings regarding the Municipal Water Resolution focused on the impacts of bottled water consumption on water supply and landfills. It was stated that over 8.3 million gallons of bottled water was purchased in 2006 and 150 billion water bottles were produced last year. Decreasing recycling rates puts a stress on landfills since it takes nearly 1,000 years for the bottles to degrade. Oak Park (IL) Mayor David Pope stated that he wanted the Committee to find alternatives to water bottles. He suggested that more enhanced recycling programs be created to deal with harder land management and storm water issues in the long term. These environmental issues will be furthered discussed at the Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in Miami this June.