By Angela Lui and Debra DeHaney-Howard
July 14, 2008

Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA), Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced June 21 to mayors that the House Appropriations Committee acted on the FY’09 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, providing an initial commitment of $295 million to support the startup of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program — a top priority for the Conference of Mayors. "This is a significant down payment towards your goal of working to create more energy efficient programs in your cities and the first cut of the federal financial commitment towards a new partnership between the cities and the federal government," Fattah said.

Fattah praised the Conference of Mayors for making the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program a top priority in its 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America. He also praised the mayors for urging their congressional representatives to support full funding of the energy block grant program. "Funds are moving through the Congress and heading your way," he said. Noting that, "These would be the first dollars to be awarded for energy efficiency grants designated to help local efforts in supporting energy efficiency and alternative energy projects…where the federal government can give you (the cities) cash, not a mandate to deal with energy efficiency challenges in your local community," Fattah said.

Commenting on progress made since last January: "When I spoke at your Winter Meeting in Washington, I pledged to work with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to seek funding for the Energy Efficiency Block Grants. I am pleased that the House Appropriations Committee passed its bill, which moves cities one step closer to designing energy efficiency programs that fit their own energy efficiency needs - weatherization programs, wind and solar power, building more energy-efficient schools or police stations," Fattah said. "It is innovation from the ground up, not dictated from Washington," he said. "It’s all about energy efficiency and the mayors get to decide how best to use the grant money," he said.

Fattah told the mayors that the Congressional Urban Caucus, which he chairs along with Caucus Vice Chairman Michael Turner (OH), former Mayor of Dayton, remains committed to working with the nation’s mayors on securing full funding for the energy block grant and other issues. "The Congressional Urban Caucus, which I am leading, is the Caucus where you can go in Washington to be listened to and be heard, and who can deliver on a tangible relationship with the mayors," said Fattah.