by Ted Fischer
May 22, 2006

“When it comes to energy and environment, the issues have always been on our doorstep,” said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley at the National Summit on Energy and the Environment May 10-11 in Chicago. “Mayors are the ones who get it; they understand what is needed,” Daley said. “With no energy policy and everyone afraid to talk about energy issues, that leaves us all in a predicament.” Daley, host of the two day Summit, kicked off the meeting by welcoming mayors and the business community.

Daley told the audience that he hoped the meeting could address the pressing energy and environmental issues facing the nation. “Globalization is here,” he said. “We need to learn to compete!” Daley told mayors that pursuing best practices on energy, environment and green technology was just one way for cities to come together and solve problems on the same level.

“I am pro-business, and we all need to ask ourselves how each new law affects our communities. Every year a new law can be passed and enforced, but how long will it be until a company picks up and moves because of the constant changing laws,” Daley said. “What we all need to do is sit down with the business community and see how it could affect them financially and locate a common ground that is environmentally friendly. Architects and engineers need to be educated on the importance of green technology through green building seminars,” he added.

Daley also stressed the importance of alternatives to the automobile. “Cities need to work on public transportation infrastructure. As gas prices rise, this will become a very important commodity to your city,” Daley said.