By Judy Sheahan
June 4, 2007

Congressmen Albert Wynn (MD) introduced the bipartisan Energy and Environment Block Act of 2007, H.R. 2447 on May 24. The Energy and Environment Block Grant (EEBG) is a top priority of the Conference of Mayors and is included in the 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America which was adopted by the Conference of Mayors in January.

As U.S. Mayor goes to press, there were nine cosponsors to Wynn’s legislation, including Representatives G.K. Butterfield (NC), Russ Carnahan (MO), Eliot Engel (NY), Alcee Hastings (FL), Jay Inslee (WA), Patrick Kennedy (RI), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Michael Turner (OH), and Anthony Weiner (NY). Additional cosponsors are needed and mayors are asked to contact their Representatives and urge them to sign onto the bill.

The House subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the Energy and Commerce Committee is tentatively scheduled to mark up their energy efficiency bill the week of June 4 when Congress comes back from their Memorial Day recess. Currently, the EEBG is not part of the larger energy efficiency bill. A strong showing of cosponsors on H.R. 2447 and additional pressure on members would encourage the inclusion of the EEBG proposal into the larger package.

EEBG is modeled after the very successful Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development where money goes directly to cities, counties and states. The new program is designed to assist local and state governments to develop and implement comprehensive energy and environmental strategies that focus on energy efficiency, conservation, and alternatives while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As Congress debates national strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, EEBG emphasizes a bottom-up, community-based approach in helping the nation meet its energy and climate protection goals. To date, over 500 mayors have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging their commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent from 1990 levels.

“Representative Wynn’s bill will result in actions by communities throughout the country that will seriously begin to address the global warming crises before this nation and the world,” said Conference of Mayors President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer.

Wynn said, “I am proud to spearhead an effort that tackles global warming on the local level. This block grant legislation is a critical part of a broader national strategy to increase our energy efficiency and curb greenhouse gas emissions. I am committed to working alongside mayors, county leaders and Governors nationwide to combat global climate change challenges that we face today. Local leaders know that these block grants will benefit our nation and will ensure progress on our energy and climate protection objectives.”

“This is a pivotal time for our nation given the scale of our energy and climate challenges,” said Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran. “This legislation will enable mayors to do for energy and climate what CDBG has done for community development.”

The House bill authorizes $4 billion in FY 2008 - 2009, $5 billion in FY 2010 - 2011, and $6 billion in FY 2012. Seventy percent of all funds would be directed to cities with populations of 50,000 or more and counties of 200,000 or more based on a formula, set by the Secretary of Energy considering residential and daytime population. States would receive the remaining 30 percent of the funds and would be required to pass through at least 70 percent to provide subgrants to units of local governments that are not eligible under the population formula.

The Department of Energy Secretary can disburse $200,000 or 20 percent of the grant (whichever is greater) to the local and state government to assist them with the development of an Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection Strategy. The local and state government must submit and receive approval by the Secretary of Energy of this strategy which establishes goals for increased energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in that jurisdiction.

Eligible activities that the EEBG can be used for include the following:

• Determining 1990 and present levels of greenhouse gas emissions;

• Conducting energy audits and weatherization programs;

• Creating financial incentive programs for energy efficiency retrofits;

• Implementing building and home energy conservation programs including changing building codes and inspection services for public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to promote energy efficiency;

• Developing transportation fuel conservation programs, alternative fuel technologies and infrastructure; and

• Promoting land use guidelines that result in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

A version of the EEBG passed on May 2 out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is part of a bipartisan energy package, S. 1321. Senators and former mayors, Robert Menendez (NJ) and Bernie Sanders (VT) were instrumental in securing that the block grant language was included in the Senate package. The Senate bill may be brought to the floor in early June, after the Memorial Day recess.

The Conference of Mayors strongly encourages mayors to contact both the House and Senate and register your support for the EEBG. For additional information about the bill, see the Conference of Mayors website at usmayors.org.