By Debra DeHaney-Howard
July 27, 2009

Conference Past President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, Alexandria (VA) Mayor William D. Euille, and Burlington (VT) Mayor Robert Kiss testified July 14 before a key Senate climate panel, calling for Senate action on climate legislation that includes a strong funding commitment to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.

“This is an issue that really touches each and every one of us. I have confidence in this committee, and in the Congress and Senate…that you will have dialogue, you will go and battle your points. But at the end of the day, we need to have a red, white, and blue and green energy policy that will have as the centerpiece not only reducing carbon emissions but also putting money in the grassroots level, into cities through the energy block grant, not just one year but for forty years, so that we can use that money and plan appropriately and so we can also use some of that money to do the kinds of things for small businesses as relates to revolving loan funds and can help their businesses go green too,” said Palmer who testified on behalf of the Conference of Mayors.

The hearing, which focused on the economic benefits and green job growth potential of clean energy and climate-related policies, was a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and its Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy. “Providing incentives for clean energy is a win-win solution for our country — it helps to address the threat of global warming and it builds the foundation for long term recovery and prosperity. Right now, our states, cities and counties are leading the way in adopting smart policies to drive the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (CA) during her remarks. Touting the benefits of Senate action, Boxer emphasized that climate legislation will provide incentives for clean energy that will create jobs, increase our energy efficiency, save families and businesses money in energy costs and drive technological innovation.

Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), chair of the Green Jobs and New Economy Subcommittee and an original champion of the EECBG program, said, “A great deal of exciting and innovative work has been taking place in states and cities throughout our country in breaking our dependence on fossil fuel and foreign oil, in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and, in the process, moving us to the creation of millions of good paying jobs in the years to come.”

Citing the Conference's 2008 report on green jobs and metro areas, Sanders said there are an estimated 770,000 green jobs in America today and the potential for millions more in the future. “These are good-paying, domestic jobs that put people to work while turning the tide against global warming and pollution,” he noted.

“We've got to do this [climate legislation]. The cost of inaction is going to hurt future generations.  If we do not do something now, parts of Florida may be underwater and parts of Trenton, New Jersey may be underwater. The economic tsunami this would create would overshadow any kind of discussion that we're having as relates to gloom and doom forecasts. We can't afford not to do something,” Palmer said.

During his remarks, Palmer explained how an EECBG funding commitment in the climate legislation would spur green jobs development and advance national climate goals. “Congress needs to fund the Energy Efficiency Block Grant so that cities can move forward on energy efficiency programs that will grow green jobs and a greener economy. Green jobs show the public that climate protection is about growing the economy while greening America.” Palmer explained how his city will be using EECBG funding, noting projects to upgrade traffic lights with light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures and the energy retrofitting of municipal buildings.

Kiss told lawmakers that, “I see a strong and successful connection between climate-related policies, economic growth and job creation. Burlington is ahead of the curve in building a public infrastructure that encourages the creation, retention and growth of green collar jobs and supports business growth, in general, within a green frame.” Kiss described key Burlington projects that highlight the city's commitment to making it a sustainable community, including its energy and conservation renewable program.

“In Alexandria, we recognize that the quantity and sources of energy used by local government, businesses and residents affect our environment and quality of life, and we have committed to managing our energy supply and usage in a sustainable manner,” Euille told the committee.

Explaining his city's sustainability plan, called Eco-City Alexandria, Euille said, “Alexandria plans to use some of its EECBG funding for conversion of the city's street lights and traffic signal to energy efficient LED lamps, expansion of the city's “Green Fleet” program, for support of green jobs training for weatherization technicians and energy auditors and establishment of a green revolving loan program.”

Testifying at the same hearing with the mayors were Governors Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Bill Ritter of Colorado, Chris Gregoire of Washington, John Hoeven of North Dakota, and Arkansas State Representative John Lowery.

In addition to the hearing on green jobs and the economy, the Environment and Public Works Committee has been holding several hearing on other topics and the linkages to climate protection and climate legislation. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker joined Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and others at a July 14 hearing to discuss the role of transportation in climate change and reducing emissions. In his testimony, Becker cited the efforts of his city to change it transportation systems to reduce automobile emissions, calling for increased federal investment in public transportation and urging a strong funding commitment to the EECBG program as the committee develops its climate legislation.

Boxer recently announced her plans to unveil her energy and climate bill on September 8, one day after Congress returns from its August recess. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) has set a September 28 deadline for final action by the six committees with responsibility for writing sections of the comprehensive energy and climate legislation. In addition to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has a significant role in this process, the other five committees are: Agriculture; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; and Foreign Relations.