• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Congressional Urban Caucus Chair Goes National With Call to Build Energy Efficient, Healthy and Sustainable Communities

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 June 2009, 16:59 CDT

Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) calls for full funding of energy block grant and strategies on creating strong metropolitan areas.

WASHINGTON, June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Americans strive for greater energy efficiency and lower energy costs, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), is renewing his call for funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. That's the message he'll take to state, city and local government leaders as he addresses three forums in the next 10 days on how best to advance the Energy Block Grant Program.

"Energy efficiency block grants are an existing and valuable tool for rebuilding our cities and metropolitan areas as green-friendly," Fattah said. "These grants make it possible for local and state governments to fund programs that create more energy efficiency for residents and generate new employment opportunities in their communities."

While $3.2 billion was allocated for the energy block grants in President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the FY2010 budget does not include continued funding for the program.

"That's a major concern as we move to become more energy efficient as a nation," Fattah said. "We need to galvanize our metropolitan areas and their advocates to ensure this valuable program moves back on to the national agenda."

Congressman Fattah will speak about the Urban Caucus, and building stronger cities at the following events:

WHEN: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 @ 10:00 am

WHAT: Energy Rally ~ Congressman Fattah and leaders of the National Association of Counties

WHERE: Cannon Terrace ~ Cannon Building, Capitol Hill

WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 2009 @ 12:30

WHAT: Speak at National Conference of Mayor's Conference about increased funding for Energy Block Grant Program

WHERE: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 @ 8:30 a.m.

WHAT: Congressman Fattah speaks at briefing on release of a report to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan cosponsored by University of Pennsylvania and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities on ways to leverage anchor institutions in building healthy and sustainable urban communities.

WHERE: Room HC - 6, the U.S. Capitol Building

The Urban Caucus, a bi-partisan organization made up of House Members from the nation's largest cities, collaborates with relevant committees of jurisdiction in identifying federal policies to address the social and economic challenges unique to America's metropolitan areas and the families who live there.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category