Advisory: Local Governments Call on Obama, Congress to Support Local Climate Action

*** MEDIA ADVISORY for December 8, 2008 ***

 
City and County Leaders Nationwide to Call on President-elect Obama and Congress to Invest Green Economic Recovery Dollars in Local Climate Action

 Initiatives Provide Opportunity for Green Jobs, Energy Independence,

Emissions Reductions

 Washington, D. C. – Local officials from across the country will call on President-elect Obama and Congress to invest economic recovery dollars and long-term resources to fund local government projects that stimulate the economy, create green jobs, reduce energy consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

 WHAT: Next Week is Local Climate Action Week

Local Climate Action Week will: highlight examples of local government innovation, draw attention to ready-to-go energy and climate projects that need federal recovery dollars, outline opportunities for the federal government to invest in local government innovation, and effectively illustrate the important role local governments will play in creating America’s Green Energy Economy.  Hundreds of local elected leaders will join with Climate Communities (www.climatecommunities.us) and ICLEI USA (www.icleiusa.org) to release Empowering Local Government Climate Action: Blueprint for President Obama and 111^th Congress. 

NOTE: Contact us to receive an embargoed copy of the Blueprint, a list of green recovery projects, local event details -- or to talk with a local government leader.

WHEN: Blueprint release: December 8^th; Events Dec. 8-12.

WHY:  Local governments have been at the forefront of the U.S. response to climate change and energy independence for more than a decade, yet there are no federal programs that support their efforts. Local Climate Action Week will bring their voice, vision and innovation to the forefront.

WHERE: Cities and counties holding events and/or making press announcements include (as of December 3, 2008):

Sacramento County, CA

Santa Cruz, CA

Sonoma County, CA

Town of Fairfax, CA

Stamford, CT

Washington, DC

Boynton Beach, FL

Gainesville, FL

Savannah, GA

Dubuque, IA

Story County, IA

Annapolis, MD

Montgomery County, MD

Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw County, MI

Blue Earth County, MN

Chapel Hill, NC

Charlotte, NC

Fayetteville, NC

Mecklenburg County, NC

Keene, NH

Asbury Park, NJ

Freehold, NJ

Neptune, NJ

Monmouth County, NJ

Nassau County, NY

Westchester County, NY

Arlington, TX

El Paso, TX

Albemarle County, VA

Alexandria, VA

Arlington, VA

Charlottesville, VA

Fairfax County, VA

Loudoun County, VA

King County, WA

Spokane, WA

Tacoma, WA

Dane County, WI