By Virak Kchao and Debra DeHaney-Howard
July 14, 2008

Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told the nation’s mayors that, "If this country is serious about battling global warming, our mayors must be at the forefront of that fight." Lautenberg called on the mayors to continue their strong support for his efforts to pass comprehensive climate change legislation that would provide an "assured funding stream" for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, during his address June 21 at the opening plenary session.

Lautenberg praised Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer for his leadership on the organization’s 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America, noting that one of the key points calls for establishing an energy block grant program. Lautenberg said, "The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program was a fundamental aspect in hastening the change to combat global warming. The two billion dollars each year from the energy block grant program would help cities to develop smart growth urban projects, build green buildings, and improve mass transit."

Lautenberg also praised mayors on taking the stance to find solutions and working towards greening their cities. He said, "Leadership of the cities will be the first step to guiding the nation to reducing green house gases. Not only will these green initiatives help our cities be a clean place but also improve the economy. Funding into green technology would increase infrastructure and further investment by private companies which will lead to new jobs."

Citing recent abnormal weather conditions, including recording flooding in Iowa, droughts causing wildfires in California and more intense hurricanes over the past several years, Lautenberg said, "Scientists are warning us that this crisis is upon us right now and time lost makes us more vulnerable. With ocean levels rising; many of our nation’s cities are under great threat…mayors are the key to combating global warming." Noting that climate change is considered a world problem, Lautenberg said, "Finding solutions start at a local level."

Lautenberg also spoke on the economics of making cities more energy efficient. "Green leads to green. When you invest in green, environmentally friendly technology and development, it will attract new jobs and new investment. There are new green jobs in construction, engineering and design that will help us fight global warming and improve our economy," he said.

In concluding his remarks, Lautenberg spoke about the "congestion" and "stagnation" of the nation’s highways and skyways. He said, "One clear solution to these problems is rail travel, an energy efficient way to travel that is critical in our fight to reduce carbon emissions." He noted that both houses of Congress have passed Lautenberg bill to provide Amtrak with $14 billion to modernize and expand the passenger rail service.