SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 16, 2010 -- BUSINESS WIRE



The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more, hosted a one-day meeting in San Francisco today at the Fairmont Hotel to discuss how cities in California are using federal stimulus dollars to make local communities more energy efficient and to create green jobs.

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, who serves in the Conference's leadership and chaired the session, was joined by host San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Cathy Zoi, The U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and several mayors from the state of California to discuss how Energy Efficiency Block Grants are being used for the first time to support local green projects.

First funded under last year's Economic Recovery Plan and administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program is a newly-created program conceived by the Conference of Mayors designed to assist mayors in reducing city energy use and climate emissions. The program allocates $2.8 billion directly to cities and counties to improve energy efficiency and spur economic growth in the green sector, providing direct formula funding to 215 cities and 13 counties in California.

At a press availability held during the meeting, Mayor Newsom described how he is using San Francisco's block grant funding. "The EECBG program is allowing us to improve energy efficiency in almost 150 buildings serving San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods," said Mayor Newsom. "More importantly, these energy efficiency projects create and sustain green jobs, save people money on their utility bills, and cut the City's carbon emissions by more than 3,000 tons a year."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors began pushing for the energy block grant in 2005 in conjunction with the introduction of a Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement -- a landmark pledge for mayors across the country to take bold action to reduce carbon emissions in cities by 2012. Now, more then 1,044 U.S. mayors -- representing more than 87 million people -- are signed onto the Climate Protection Agreement and are committed to making local economies energy efficient.

Since the Block Grant is a key priority for USCM, the organization will also take its message to Congress this fall with a push to continue the program as means of green job creation in cities and metro areas where jobs are needed most.

"Mayors know that green jobs and the new green economy are the future of America's economic competitiveness," said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, USCM Trustee and immediate past chair of the USCM Environment Committee. "This is why the Energy Block Grant program is at the top of our Mayors' 2010 Metro Agenda for America, our MainStreet investment plan that focuses on putting people back to work and creating an economy that will lead the world for decades to come."

Of the benefits associated with EECBG program, Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director said, "Mayors understand that a successful plan in this country for reducing U.S. energy consumption is grounded in local action, in our cities, counties and regions. California mayors have been leaders on energy issues in this country, and in particular this program, with strong support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others in the California delegation."

"We know that extending the Energy Block Grant beyond the Stimulus Bill will help mayors to build upon successes already in progress and meet the climate protection goals as stated in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement with signatories of 1044 USA mayors," Cochran concluded.

Meeting Participants:

Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco, CA Mayor Bob Foster, Long Beach, CA Mayor Beverly Johnson, Alameda, CA Mayor Kris Wang, Cupertino, CA Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, Monrovia, CA Mayor Anthon Wong, Monterey Park, CA Mayor Jill Techel, Napa, CA Mayor Sue Digre, Pacifica, CA Mayor Tony Santos, San Leandro, CA Mayor Albert Boro, San Rafael, CA Mayor Abram Wilson, San Ramon, CA Mayor Helene Schneider, Santa Barbara, CA Mayor Susan Gorin, Santa Rosa, CA Mayor John Lazar, Turlock, CA Mayor Bill Fulton, Ventura, CA Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, West Sacramento, CA Councilmember, Pedro Gonzalez, South San Francisco, CA Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director

SOURCE: The U.S. Conference of Mayors

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