Local Governments Head to D.C. to Forge Local-Federal Partnership on Climate and Energy Policy

More than 100 local government climate and energy leaders from across the country will converge on D.C. May 18-20 as part of the Local Climate Leadership Summit. The Summit will take place as the House Energy and Commerce Committee considers landmark climate and energy legislation sponsored by Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA).  Climate Communities and ICLEI USA are working to ensure that federal climate and energy policies recognize and support the critical role of local governments in reducing energy consumption, creating new green jobs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.  

WHAT:
Local Climate Leadership Summit (www.localclimateleadershipsummit.org), hosted by Climate Communities and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability.

WHO:
Elected officials and staff from more than 100 cities and counties.  Speakers include representatives from the White House, federal agencies, and Congress.

WHEN:    
May 18-20

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Monday May 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Capital Hilton:  Session featuring key climate and energy leaders from the Obama Administration including:

• Ron Sims, HUD Deputy Secretary

• Van Jones, White House CEQ Special Advisor for Green Jobs

• Gil Sperling, Department of Energy, Manager of Weatherization & Intergovernmental Programs

• Rob Brenner, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air & Radiation, Director of Policy Analysis and Review

Monday May 18 at 12:00 p.m. at the Capital Hilton: Lunch keynote by Edward Mazria, Founder and Executive Director, Architecture 2030, “Multiply Your Stimulus Dollars: 14x Stimulus Plan”

Monday May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital Hilton:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Special Announcement on new Climate Showcase Communities demonstration grants for local governments.

Tuesday May 19 at 9:00 a.m. at 2203 Rayburn House Office Building – Press Conference:  Local government leaders and Members of Congress will discuss the critical role of local governments in reducing energy consumption and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.  Invited Members of Congress include:  John Dingell (D-MI), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), John Barrow (D-GA), Bruce Braley (D-IA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).  Local government leaders from Washtenaw County, MI; King County, WA; Snohomish County, WA; Tacoma, WA Monmouth County, NJ; Savannah, GA; Dubuque, IA; and Sacramento County, CA, will participate.

Wednesday May 20 at 12:30 p.m. at the Capital Hilton:  Keynote address from White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley


MEDIA ACCESS: All sessions of the Summit (private meetings on the Hill excluded) are open to credentialed members of the press. To register please visit: www.localclimateleadershipsummit.org or contact annie.strickler@iclei.org.