By Brett Rosenberg
June 19, 2006

Dozens of mayors gathered at a “mini-plenary session” entitled, “Solving the Nation’s Energy and Environmental Crisis” during the Conference of Mayors 74th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The session built on the momentum developed during last May’s Energy and Environment Summit, hosted by Mayor Richard M. Daley in Chicago. Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill presided over the session that encapsulated much of her presidency’s theme of Cities for a Strong America, which drew considerable attention to the roles cities play in the national economy.

Among the key themes to emerge from the Chicago summit and O’Neill’s Cities for a Strong America program were the need to address the prevailing issues of global climate change and the call for more energy efficient vehicles and buildings. Consequently, amid discussions of mayoral best practices, this session included an expert on the local meteorological aspects of global climate and leaders in the green building industry, as well as mayors on hand to describe some of the best practices on-going in their individual communities.

O’Neill said, “These solutions involving transportation and buildings not only will have a positive impact on climate change but also will have a big impact on reducing our dependency on foreign oil as well as reducing our energy consumption which makes a difference in everyone’s pocketbooks.”

Dr. Heidi Cullen, The Weather Channel’s foremost climate expert, cited a great deal of data that has been accumulated over the last several decades indicate that an increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions are leading to accelerated global climate change. She noted that there has always been much variability in climate in general and local weather patterns in particular, but said that as carbon dioxide levels have increased, so has the average global temperature.

The bottom line, according to Cullen, is that the world is warming and we need to develop policies to manage the risk associated with it. She also mentioned that while there is no direct link to global climate change and last year’s hurricane season, it is likely that climate change will heighten the intensity of storms and droughts that do occur due to the impacts rising sea levels have on general atmospheric conditions.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels gave an update concerning what mayors are doing in their cities to reduce CO2 emissions. Nickels said, “Climate change is caused by us. The question is, what should we do about it?” One solution Nickels said was that by the beginning of June, 238 mayors had signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The agreement compels signatories to take steps in their communities to meet the goals of the Kyoto Protocol, which sets a target of reducing CO2 emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. Nickels applauded these mayors and others who have led the charge on global climate change.

Michelle Wyman, Executive Director of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, spoke of a new partnership between the Conference of Mayors and ICLEI to strengthen mayors’ efforts at confronting climate change. Wyman expressed that “...the actions [mayors] are taking are demonstrating that leaders in the country’s cities can make a difference.”

Transportation plays a major role in the climate change and energy use discussion. Chair of the Conference of Mayors Energy Committee Austin Mayor Will Wynn shared his plans to “electrify the transportation system” in Austin and elsewhere. As a city on the verge of non-attainment with EPA air quality rules, Austin is seeking ways to curb air pollution through a variety of programs including energy efficiency programs and meeting its commitment to abide by the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

The city has implemented a program that encourages the use of plug-in hybrids; that is, vehicles with an added battery that can be recharged through a standard electrical outlet. Although running plug-in hybrids on traditional gasoline is always an option, operating such a vehicle on stored electricity, even within limited ranges, offers fuel economy of 56 cents per gallon. Through a public relations campaign, Wynn and his partners hope to encourage U.S. automakers to make plug-in hybrids available and affordable to the general public. Doing so, according to Wynn, would not only ease CO2 emissions, but reduce other air pollutants, save consumers money, and ease dependence on foreign oil.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory discussed the politics of selling these issues to the public, city councils and state legislatures. McCrory indicated five important points: first, he said, it is crucial to have a firm understanding of what you’re trying to sell. Namely, he said, you’re selling choice – transit as a choice over congestion. Second, he warned against recommending federal transportation resources for programs in which there is little demand or the numbers don’t actually work, that is, “don’t over-promise.” Third, he said that not all transit is equal; light rail is not the only answer, and it’s not always based on fairness or equality. Fourth, according to McCrory, you must, as mayor, involve the private sector. Show them there is money to make based on transportation hubs and other developments. Lastly, he urged that there must be land-use planning to encourage sustainable transit rather than “corridors of crap.” McCrory stated that it’s imperative that the extremes do not guide any issue and those mayors who truly want to be effective look beyond their terms in office.

Carmel (IN) Mayor James Brainard showed how Carmel uses numerous traffic roundabouts to address safety, congestion and environmental concerns. After identifying the differences between roundabouts and traffic circles, Brainard cited safety statistics touting fewer accidents, as well as savings in electricity and construction costs. Roundabouts also provide environmental benefits, considering there are rarely cars idling.

Rick Fedrizzi, President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, and Ward Hubbell, Executive Director of the Green Building Initiative, provided short presentations about the benefits of cleaner, more energy efficient new and renovated building. Both speakers touted the overall long term benefits associated from green buildings, from using cleaner, safer and more sustainable materials, to noticeable increases in productivity in schools, offices and factories.

Fedrizzi noted that several jurisdictions offer incentives to LEED-certified and other green building programs, such as expedited permitting processes and tax rebates. Hubbell added that over the next 20 years, 75 percent of existing buildings will be replaced or remodeled, saying that mayor “...have the opportunity to be the architects of your cities, that it is the right environmental and economic thing to do.

Full copies of these presentations can be found on the website usmayors.org/energy.