By Debra DeHaney-Howard
July 16, 2007

Energy Committee Chair Austin Mayor Will Wynn led members of the Conference’s Energy Policy Standing Committee through several policy debates on a number of energy-related issues. Among the issues debated were energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy sources, and climate protection.

Members of the Committee met June 23 during the Conference of Mayors 75th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles and considered twelve energy-related policy resolutions, including a resolution reaffirming the Conference’s call for Congress to create an Energy and Environment Block Grant (EEBG) program, which is a Conference priority, as first set forth in the Mayors 10-Point Plan by Conference President Douglas H. Palmer during the organization’s January Winter Meeting. The EEBG program, modeled after HUD’s successful Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, would provide grants to cities, counties and States to develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved energy efficiency and energy conservation programs.

In his opening remarks, Wynn said, “Because of the inaction of our federal government on climate protection, mayors are doing what they do best and that is to lead.” He noted that more than 550 mayors have signed The U. S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. Under the agreement, mayors who sign commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels.

Committee members recommended the energy block grant resolution along with eleven other resolutions to the full membership for consideration at the organization’s June 25 Business Session. The full membership unanimously approved the Energy Committees’ recommendations

Following the Committee’s business session on the proposed policy resolutions, members heard from several speakers on a number of energy issues, including energy efficiency and conservation, smart grid technologies and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Program.

Morry Markowitz, Group Director for External Affairs for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), gave a presentation on Investing in America’s Electric Future: Energy Efficiency and Environmental and Climate Protection. Speaking to the growing demand for electricity, Markowitz stated that “demand for electricity is projected to increase by 40 percent by 2030 and that in the demand new power plants must be built.” and stated that the U. S. economic growth is linked to electricity growth.

Markowitz outlined electricity use in the typical U. S. home stating that in 1978 the average total use was 1.07 kW per hour per household where in 2003 the average was 1.30 kW per hour per household. Markowitz reported on the current national fuel mix, noting that different regions of the country rely on different fuel mixes. Markowitz described EEI’s energy efficiency initiatives currently underway. They include: encouraging “smart” and energy-efficient buildings; promoting “smart” and energy efficient appliances and electric technologies; commercializing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVS), accelerating development of “smart” grid; and developing “smart” rates to give customers more control over electricity bills.

Mike Zatz, Chief of the Market Sectors Group for EPA’s ENERGY STAR program also addressed the members. He highlighted The U. S. Conference of Mayors and EPA’s partnership, which aims to help mayors attain their climate protection goals and related environmental objectives. He noted that the ENERGY STAR Challenge, provides mayors with the tools and resources to not only improve their own buildings and operations, but also to reach out to their communities to do the same.  Zatz said, “Cities can serve as a model to motivate the businesses, schools, hospitals, and homeowners in their communities to take simple steps that will reduce their carbon emissions and protect their environment.”

Closing out the committee session was Steve Hauser, Vice President for Strategy for Gridpoint. He briefed committee members on the U. S. power grid and reported that new energy technologies are underway to transform the nation’s power grid into a more interactive system. With demand for electricity expected to increase by fifty percent in the next decade, Hauser noted that studies show that creating a smarter grid through information technology could save nearly $100 billion in less than 20 years by offsetting costs of building new electric infrastructure.

• Adopting EPA’s Energy Star Challenge to Reduce Energy Use in Public and Private Sector Buildings

• Gridwise and Smart Grid Policies

• Endorsing Federal Policies to Increase Residential Energy Efficiency Using Strategically-Planted Trees

• A Resolution to Develop New Models Strengthening Low-Income Home Ownership Integrating Buildings Weatherization, Home Rehabilitation and Related Program Resources

• Promoting Domestic Sources of Energy for America

• Promotion of Clean, Renewable Energy Sources

• Providing Comparable Incentive for the Development of Renewable Energy

• Formation of a Federal Tax Policy for Energy Independence, Clean Technology Development and Climate Protection

• Endorsing The U. S. Mayors Federal Climate Policy Framework

• Supporting the Creation of an Energy and Environment Block Grant

• Promoting the Use of Advanced Technologies on All New Coal Fired Power Plants to Reduce CO2 and Other Pollutants

• Supporting and Promoting Green Schools