By Debra DeHaney-Howard
May 7, 2007

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources April 23, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez praised panel leaders for including an Energy and Environment Block Grant program (EEBG) in a pending energy efficiency bill.

Chavez thanked Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (NM) and Ranking Member Pete Domenici (NM) for their leadership in developing a bipartisan bill that “charts a new direction for federal energy policy.” He also recognized Senators Robert Menendez (NJ) and Bernard Sanders (VT), two former mayors, for their work on the block grant.

Enactment of an energy and environment block grant program to help cities reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions is a top priority of The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 10-Point Plan.

“EEBG addresses the many challenges before us by embracing new policies and incentives for key energy sectors and governmental leaders at every level. It will provide additional new resources to help mayors and other local officials expand their energy conservation programs, retrofit building, increase incentives to adopt new technologies and initiatives and other efforts to promote alternative transportation systems,” Chavez said

Under the measure before the panel, cities of 35,000 or more population and counties of 200,000 or more population would receive formula funding on an annual basis. About seventy percent of all funding would be allocated directly by the Secretary of Energy to these cities and counties. The remaining thirty percent would be allocated to the states, which would be required to pass through at least 40 percent of this funding to communities that do not receive funds directly under the program.

The Secretary of Energy would be directed to develop rules for what communities must do to qualify for funds and further clarify eligible programs and projects that could be undertaken with federal funds. The program is divided into two phases. Under the first phase, qualifying jurisdictions would receive 100 percent federal funding to develop a comprehensive energy reduction strategy.

“Many cities have already taken the first step in establishing very aggressive local goals of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. But, cities can only go so far – we can go all the way with Federal assistance. We have a tremendous opportunity to lead the world on this issue and the world is looking to us be leaders on these issues,” said Chavez.

Chavez also highlighted efforts in his city to address climate change and energy efficiency. He told committee members that “more than 40 percent of the city’s fleet is run on alternative fuels and all new vehicle acquisitions will be fueled with renewable alternative fuels.” Chavez also explained that more than 15 percent of the power used in Albuquerque comes from wind. Solar thermal and photovoltaic panels are used for heating and pumping water at city pools, and the city’s traffic signals have been converted to energy efficient LED’s.

Subsequent to his testimony, which addressed issues in the pending legislation, “Energy Efficient Promotion Act of 2007” (S.1115), the committee incorporated this legislation, including the new block grant program into a larger bill, which the Committee approved May 2.