Senate Energy and Climate Bill Invests in Mayors' Climate Protection Efforts
Posted on: Wednesday, 30 September 2009, 11:47 CDT
Future Funding for Energy Block Grants, Green Jobs Included in Bill
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement of Trenton, NJ Mayor Douglas Palmer, Past President of The U.S. Conference of Mayors:
"On behalf of the Nation's Mayors, I want to thank California Senator Barbara Boxer and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry today for their action on federal energy and climate legislation that will help reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions and help create a new green economy in America.
"Global warming is real and demands our immediate response. It is in our national interest to act now and exhibit our global leadership.
"We are especially pleased that the Senate has responded to our request that the bill include a provision for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. By doing this, these Senate leaders are acknowledging the important role cities play in creating green jobs and achieving energy independence and climate protection. The Conference has worked long and hard to establish this innovative program as a cornerstone of our national climate protection strategy.
"In these hard economic times, we know that many people are without jobs and are struggling. This bill will help jump start new green industries that will create new jobs at a time when they are desperately needed. These green jobs are the future of our economic competitiveness.
"We thank Conference President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and USCM Vice President Burnsville, MN Mayor Elizabeth Kautz for their leadership on this issue. They led mayors to Capitol Hill this summer to push for a partnership with the federal government on energy and climate protection. We are pleased that the Senate plan responds to the mayors' call for support.
"Mayor Nickels has led the nation and its mayors in the green movement. On Friday, October 2, 2009, Mayor Nickels will announce in Seattle the 1,000th mayor (representing over 86 million Americans) to sign The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement -- a pledge by mayors all across the country to take bold action to significantly reduce carbon emissions in their cities in line with Kyoto Protocol standards.
"The nation's mayors know that a successful plan in this country for reducing our energy consumption and promoting greater energy independence begins in cities and other local communities. Mayors are leading by example in the fight against global warming. We urge the Senate to swiftly act to address this global crisis."
The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,139 such cities in the country today, each represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor.
SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors
Source: PR Newswire
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