By Debra DeHaney-Howard
May 11, 2009

U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran thanked New Jersey mayors for their strong support of the Conference-led effort to launch a new energy block program during remarks before the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM). He praised the leadership of the state’s Congressional delegation, especially Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, and Representative Frank Pallone for their many efforts to enact and fund the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program.

“We’ve come a long way on the energy block grant. Last year we were talking about getting the block grant funded, and this year we are talking about implementation. I want to give special thanks to Senators Menendez and Lautenberg and others who played key roles in enacting and funding the energy block grant program,” Cochran said during the April 30 plenary session.

Cochran also cited the significant environmental legacy of New Jersey officials during his remarks to more than 300 mayors and hundreds of other public and private officials who participated in the 46th Meeting of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors held April 29 through May 1 in Atlantic City. “The state of New Jersey has much to be proud of, from EPA Administrators Christine Todd Whitman and Lisa Jackson, Mayor Bollwage’s work on brownfields, and now the energy block grant program through the great work of Mayors Palmer, Bollwage, Wahler and many of you here today. We now have resources at the federal level to implement energy efficiency programs not only in communities in New Jersey but across the nation.”

Recognizing the leadership of New Jersey mayors in supporting the Conference’s Mayors Climate Protection agreement, Cochran said, “We now have more than 900 mayors who have signed our climate protection agreement and that number includes many mayors from New Jersey who are in this room.”

In addition to the EECBG program, Cochran discussed the work of the nation’s mayors on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, specifically key Conference priorities providing direct funding to cities, such as the Community Development Block Grant program and COPs program. “Last year, we were with you, we knew change was coming. It is amazing what has happened in 100 days. These things just didn’t happen. This is what we [mayors] did,” he said.

At the luncheon session, Cochran joined with NJCM’s board of directors, including the organization’s incoming President Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler, and U.S. Conference of Mayors Past President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer. Other guests included New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, selected members of the Governor’s cabinet, and other New Jersey dignitaries.

During his remarks, Wahler also recognized Menendez and Lautenberg, Pallone and others for their leadership in enacting and funding the EECBG program, describing it as the “right move governmentally and the right move environmentally.”

Acknowledging the work of The U.S. Conference of Mayors under Palmer’s leadership, Wahler said, “For many years we have held a close partnership with The U.S. Conference of Mayors, and we thank them for their work on the energy block grant, under the leadership of Doug Palmer. Thanks to Doug and Tom Cochran, the Conference had a 10-Point Plan, which included the energy block grant program.”

Wahler, who also serves as Chair of the Conference’s Membership Committee, encouraged his colleagues to join the national mayors’ organization. “The Conference of Mayors is our voice in Washington. Because of the Conference, you don’t have to hire a Washington consultant you have it in the Conference of Mayors,” he said. Wahler also urged the mayors to attend the upcoming 77th U. S. Conference of Mayors Annual Conference to be held June 12–15 in Providence.

At the session, Governor Corzine stressed that his budget supported the key issue priorities of his Administration, including energy and environment, education, and public safety, despite unprecedented declines in state revenues. “I believe if we work together, we will come through this turbulent time and come out stronger,” he said. Praising President Obama and his leadership on the economy, he told the mayors that, “New Jersey has benefited economically from the President’s program.” Corzine also praised the Congressional delegation, especially Menendez and Lautenberg, for their work on the ARRA package and the added financial support it provided to the state during this critical time.

During a special May 1 panel on energy efficiency and renewable energy, Cochran joined with other business leaders and state officials to discuss federal and state resources available for energy efficiency and conservation as well as renewable energy development. Cochran urged mayors to engage at both the federal and state levels to secure funding for energy initiatives at the local level, especially funding opportunities under the EECBG program. “We are ready at the local level – cities, counties and states,” he said.

Before adjourning the three-day meeting, the new slate of NJCM officers for 2009-2010 was sworn in, with Wahler becoming the organization’s new President, taking the gavel from outgoing President Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr. Assuming positions as Vice Presidents were: Neptune City Borough Mayor Thomas A. Arnone, Lambertville City Mayor David M. DelVecchio, and Port Republic City Mayor Gary B. Giberson. During his remarks, Wahler said, “It is an honor to serve as President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and to have your colleagues across the state say they want you to be their leader.”