Mayors Make Environmental Moves

Mayors Make Environmental Moves

Jun 22 - USA TODAY

Cities in 36 states are going "green," mainly by running cars on alternative fuel and installing energy-efficient streetlights and traffic signals, says a survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors out today.

Less than half, though, have taken tougher steps to require energy-efficient homes and businesses.

The survey, compiling the responses of 134 cities, is the first snapshot of how cities are trying to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to offset global warming.

"The survey shows that there are no cookie-cutter solutions," says Trenton, N.J., Mayor Douglas Palmer, president of the mayors conference. "Cities, no matter what size, are coming up with innovative ways to reduce energy."

The survey found:

*Three-quarters of the cities are replacing vehicles with hybrids or using biofuels such as ethanol. San Francisco runs 40% of its fleet on biodiesel and in September will recycle waste oils from restaurants into biodiesel for city vehicles.

*Six in 10 require that new city government buildings be energy efficient, and four in 10 require developers to build green. Santa Cruz, Calif., mandates that new construction be energy efficient.

*64% use renewable energy such as solar, wind or gases released in landfills to meet some of their energy needs. Albuquerque captures methane from decomposing garbage to power machines that clean water under a landfill.

Going green can pay. Albuquerque saved more than $2 million on its $36 million utilities bill.

Joe Shacter of the Environmental Law & Policy Center says cities are on the right track but they need to do more to require businesses to be environmentally friendly.

"Cities need to step up with the political will to do the things that will take more funding and more time to implement," he says.

Money is an issue, particularly in smaller cities. Fayetteville, Ark., Mayor Dan Coody says he lacks funds to replace all vehicles with hybrids, but the city encouraging alternatives to driving by creating bike trails and lanes

"If we had more money, we could do more," Coody says.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is pushing Congress to create a grant program for cities' green projects. The advocacy group ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, which helps cities develop green projects, is starting a revolving loan fund for cities.