November 19, 2007

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center released its 2007 Climate Protection Strategies and Best Practices Guide, featuring U.S. cities’ efforts to conserve energy and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that threaten our planet. The new report was released during the Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Summit, held in Seattle on November 1 and 2.

The Guide is based on information submitted to the Mayors Climate Protection Center by mayors who applied for the First Annual Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards, announced in June during the Conference’s 2007 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, and by mayors who participated in the Seattle Summit.

During the special field hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming that concluded the Summit, Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer submitted the document for the panel’s official record of the proceedings. Mayor Palmer, joined by Conference Vice President Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz, Conference Advisory Board Chair Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, testified before the Select Committee on the numerous programs U.S. cities have undertaken on climate protection.

The Climate Protection Strategies and Best Practices Guide describes the successful approaches that 52 mayors and their cities have taken to conserve energy and other natural resources, acquire clean energy, and adopt products and practices that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions known to contribute to climate change. Many describe initiatives that reduce emissions generated by city government operations; others describe initiatives that encourage city residents and local businesses to conserve. Because the approaches described range so widely, they are presented in the Guide under one of three headings: Cross-Cutting Initiatives; Regional Initiatives; and Focused Initiatives.

Cross-Cutting Initiatives describe comprehensive, multi-faceted approaches taken by cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among the 18 cities highlighted in this section, the ALBUQUERQUEGREEN program, spearheaded by Mayor Martin Chávez, includes a public education and outreach initiative, including messages that are conveyed through a web site — www.albuquerquegreen.com; summits focusing on sustainable energy, economic development, and best practices; billboards, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and a Green Guide; and stakeholder-driven task forces.

In Baltimore, Mayor Sheila Dixon has implemented a comprehensive energy conservation program in which Baltimore is working to reduce the consumption and cost of its energy by 1) examining utility billing and promoting efficiency, 2) aggregating the purchase of electricity with surrounding counties, and 3) implementing energy reduction projects. To date, $700,000 has been saved as a result of scrutinizing billing. An employee awareness program is also being used to encourage employees to turn off energy consuming devices when not in use.

Among other notable cross-cutting initiatives is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Plan NYC, a comprehensive Energy Management Plan in Lexington (KY), spearheaded by Mayor Jim Newberry, and Mayor Marty Blum’s Sustainable Santa Barbara Program.

Regional Initiatives describe efforts made by cities to work with other local and state governments and businesses to achieve conservation and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Five cities submitted a regional initiative to the Guide. For instance, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory initiated the Clean Air Works! Campaign, a collaborative proactive program addressing air quality in an eight-county, two'state air quality non-attainment area. The program engages businesses in educating and motivating employees to utilize alternative methods of commuting and helps businesses change operations and practices to improve air quality.

In another example of the Guide’s regional programs, Mayor Douglas H. Palmer established the Trenton Green Initiative, a new public-private partnership to lead and coordinate specific action steps in the short term and to also develop strategic plans for long range climate protection goals. The partnership is unique in that it brings together a critical core of stakeholders including: the city and county governments; the state utility regulatory agency; the state environmental protection department; the state labor and work force development department; the state’s largest energy supplier; and community-based community development and environmental organizations.

Also of note in the Regional Initiative section is the work of Arlington (TX) Mayor Robert Cluck on the Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition and Irvine (CA) Mayor Beth Krom’s action in the Community Energy Partnership.

Focused Initiatives generally provide specific examples of energy or resource conservation programs or projects undertaken by cities, usually as part of broader-based conservation efforts. Contributions to the Guide range from a green roof on Atlanta’s City Hall to a public-private partnership in Waukesha (WI) in which the city leveraged its limited financial resources and the increasing demand for more energy-efficient and cost effective services, with a local company’s ability to manage infrastructure systems.

In between, another example of a focused initiative includes Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Solar Thermal Grant Program in Chicago. The goals for this program are to help recipients reduce natural gas consumption and costs and increase funding programs for especially sensitive populations such as seniors and low income residents. The program reduces greenhouse gas emissions by offsetting demand for natural gas used for domestic hot water and space heating.

Other examples of focused initiatives include:

• Electricity Demand Initiatives in Colorado Springs

• Tree Planting Programs in Fort Wayne (IN)

• A Renewable Wind-Generated Energy Initiative in Northbrook (IL)

• Green Building Ordinance in Rohnert Park (CA)

• A Green Ribbon Biodiesel Initiative in Tacoma (WA)

For an online version of the entire guide, please visit www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/bestpractices.