Getting Started
January
Sub-archives
Local Governments Make EPA's Green Power Partners Top 50 List
by Adrienne DeAngelo Jan 31, 2011
While much of the buzz has been about Intel and Kohl's -- the top two green power purchasers in the U.S. -- local government made an impressive showing on the list, with the cities of Houston and Dallas continuing to stake out positions in the top 10 with their commitment to wind energy. The much-publicized Top 50 list includes both public and private purchasers, but the EPA also compiles a Top 20 Local Government Green Power Partners list.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its list of National Top 50 Green Power Partner organizations using the most renewable electricity to help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and protect people’s health.
Number of Minneapolis Bikers Ranks 2nd Among Largest U.S. Cities
by Adrienne DeAngelo Jan 29, 2011
A row of 'Nice Ride' Minnesota bicycles. Photo credit: Minneapolis Green Print Beginning in January 2011, Minneapolis achieved the second highest percentage of people biking to work of the 50 largest U.S. cities. Minneapolis was also named America’s best bike city in 2010 by Bicycling Magazine. The city encourages bicycling for all ages to all destinations by providing new and improved bikeways and rider education. 
The Achievement
Los Angeles, CA's 'Green Zone' Plan Is Aimed at Low-Income, High-Pollution AreasNew Report: Smart Growth, Climate Change, and Prosperity
by Natasha Umer Jan 19, 2011
The case for smart growth just got stronger. According to a new report from the Center for Clean Air Policy, smart growth practices leads to wide-reaching economic, health, and climate benefits for a community. From the report summary: In our new report, Growing Wealthier: Smart Growth, Climate Change and Prosperity, the Center for Clean Air In Growing Wealthier we provide examples and studies from around the country, as
well as an annotated bibliography of evidence on smart growth, climate change,
the economy, and sustainability.
Policy (CCAP) considers ten commonsense principles that can help guide new development in ways that respond to emerging market demand and bolster the economy. We find that an inclusive planning process following smart growth principles that yields more walkable neighborhoods with broader options for housing and transportation can help communities, businesses and individuals make money, save money and improve quality of life.
Read more »
View the Report
BuildingRating.org: A New Resource for Energy Performance Rating
by Caroline Keicher Jan 18, 2011
Guest Blogger: Caroline Keicher, Institute for Market Transformation 
This week the Institute for Market Transformation will be unveiling a new online resource that we hope will provide you with everything you ever needed or wanted to know about the rating and disclosure of energy performance in buildings: BuildingRating.org.
Buildingrating.org, at its simplest, is an extensive online library that, for the first time, brings together in one place the extensive array of searchable resources (policy, legislation, research, technical reports, press) available on the topic of rating and disclosing the energy performance of buildings. The site’s interactive map allows users to peruse the types of rating and disclosure policies that have been enacted around the world, and to pull up related documents.
Minneapolis Reaches 6,000 Homeowners with Hands-On Energy Program
by Adrienne DeAngelo Jan 14, 2011
Photo credit: Shiny Things via Flickr In December, 2010, The Community Energy Services program, a collaborative effort between the City of Minneapolis and the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), put 6,000 Minneapolis homeowners on a comprehensive path to achieving energy savings.
The Achievement
ICLEI Applauds Los Angeles for Historic Increase in Renewable Power
by Michael Schmitz, ICLEI California Director Jan 13, 2011
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announces his city's renewable In the nation’s most dramatic improvement among municipal utilities, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), announced last week the achievement of a major milestone: providing 20 percent of the city’s power from renewable energy sources in 2010.City Quadruples Use of Renewable Energy in Six Years
energy success, Credit: Los Angeles Mayor's Office website
In 2005, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the LADWP set what some considered an impossible goal: increasing the utility's use of clean, green renewable energy from 5 percent to 20 percent by the year 2010. Proving his skeptics wrong, Mayor Villaraigosa reports, “We went from worst to first and quadrupled our renewable energy portfolio in a few short years while also keeping our rates lower than other major utilities."
The amount of renewable power provided to customers -- 4,500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) -- is equivalent to annually removing 750,000 homes from the power grid, preventing 2.5 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, or removing nearly 490,000 cars from the road.
The take-home message for other local governments? Stick to your vision of an ambitious, achievable clean energy or emissions-reduction goal, says ICLEI California Manager Jerilyn López Mendoza. “Even if it seems impossible now, in five years it could be.”
Mary Nichols Reappointed as California Air Resources Board Chairman
by Guillermo Meneses, ICLEI Director of Communications Jan 05, 2011
Congratulations to ICLEI USA friend and local government supporter, Mary D. Nichols on her reappointment by incoming Governor Jerry Brown as California Air Resources Board Chairman. Nichols has been a guiding force behind California’s strong regulations to maintain healthy and livable communities that generate clean and more efficient energy sources, as well as green jobs and the development of a thriving green economy. 
From left: ICLEI USA Executive Director Martin
Chávez, CARB Chairman Mary Nichols,
Carbon War Room CEO Jigar Shaw at Center for American Progress
reception.
Where Will You Find Inspiration in 2011?
by Don Knapp Jan 03, 2011
Dear ICLEI Members,
A message from ICLEI USA Executive Director Martin Chávez:
In these challenging times, you can’t afford to overlook any solution or innovation that can help balance a municipal budget, reduce energy costs, or meet a sustainability goal more effectively. But as the pace of innovation quickens, keeping up can seem daunting.
That’s why ICLEI is here, and why we invite you to become even more engaged in our network in 2011. Now more than ever, local governments must work together to share ideas, experiences, and best practices. Look to ICLEI to stay connected to innovation—and to stay inspired.
In 2011, we’re planning tremendous things to support your sustainability work.
Plan B in 2011? National Climate Action Without Climate Legislation
by Art von Lehe, Senior Policy Officer Jan 02, 2011
Welcome to 2011. With the new year comes a new Congress that most certainly will not pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation. With cap-and-trade off the table, many policy experts are now considering a Plan B to lower GHGs through an existing patchwork of legal authority at all levels of government -- including local governments, which play a key role. What might this Plan B look like? Read on for details. And for even more insight, don't miss our upcoming webinar, Plan B – National Climate Action in a Post-Climate-Bill World, on Jan. 26, featuring leading climate policy experts.
