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EECBG Letter of Support US Conference of MayorsTHE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS ~~ 1620 EYE STREET, NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 TELEPHONE (202) 293-7330 FAX (202) 293-2352 TDD (202) 293-9445 URL: www.usmayors.org TO: USCM Executive Committee & Advisory Board All Mayors ~~ FROM: Tom Cochran Executive Director and CEO SUBJECT: Report on Funding for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program DATE: March ?, 2008 We are making progress in our campaign to secure funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, but we still need your h~l I am pleased to report that in the first formal Congressional action in our campaign to secure appropriations for the EECBG program, the Senate Budget Committee included funding for this new initiative in its Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution, thanks to the leadership of Senate Debbie Stabenow (MI) and others. In addition, bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letters in support of EECBG funding are now circulating in both the House and Senate. Senators Richard D. Lugar (IN), Robert Menendez (NJ) and Bernard Sanders (VT) are circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter inviting other Senators to join with them on a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders supporting $2 billion in appropriations for the EECBG program. Similarly, Representatives Albert Wynn (MD) and Michael Turner (OH) are asking their House colleagues to sign onto their letter urging House Appropriations Committee leaders to provide full funding for the EECBG program. We have two requests. If you have not vet written to Members of your Congressional dele ag tion - Senators and Representatives -please do so and urge them to join on these "Dear Colleague" letters, as noted in the attached sample letters. Also, if you have not already done so, please complete the very quick electronic registration form to help us follow-up with your staff on funding for the block grant program and related energy/climate issues. To complete this form, please go to - www.usmayors.or lockgrantcontacts. Please send copies of your letters to Debra DeHaney-Howard (ddehaney(a~usma, oy rs.org) or Judy Sheahan (jsheahan ,usmayors.org). You can also fax copies to (202) 293-2352. If you have any questions, please call either Debra or Judy at (202) 293-7330. Attachments Sample Letter to House Members on EECBG Funding March _, 2008 The Honorable U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative I am writing to solicit your help to secure full funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which was enacted in the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" [P.L. 110-140]. Specifically, I would call your attention to the "Deaz Colleague" letter from Representatives Albert Wynn and Michael Turner inviting you and your other House colleagues to join with them on a letter to House Appropriations Committee leaders urging full funding for the EECBG program. With a weakening economy increasingly burdened by rising energy costs, we believe prompt funding commitments to this program will reduce energy use and ease energy price pressures, as local and state leaders work to chart a new course of increased energy independence, greater energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, this block grant will enable cities and counties throughout the U.S. to undertake many thousands of locally-based energy efficiency, conservation and production initiatives. Therefore, we urge your support for an appropriation at the authorized level of $2 billion to promptly launch this program to begin securing the national economic benefits that will occur. A strong funding commitment to this program will enable my city to accelerate locally- developed energy initiatives that will result in greater energy efficiency, increased conservation and new energy supplies. The block grant program structure gives us the flexibility to undertake a range of activities, such as building and home energy conservation programs, fuel conservation programs, alternative fuels development, building retrofits for increased energy efficiency, planning and zoning adjustments, and alternative energy programs. I strongly urge you to support funding commitments for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. If you have any questions, please contact my staff at or U.S. Conference of Mayors' staff, Debra DeHaney-Howard or Judy Sheahan, at (202) 293- 7330. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Sample Letter to Your U.S. Senators on EECBG Funding March _, 2008 The Honorable United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator I am writing to solicit your help to secure full funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which was enacted in the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" [P.L. 110-140]. Specifically, I would call your attention to the "Deaz Colleague" letter from Senators Richard D. Lugar, Robert Menendez and Bernazd Sanders inviting you and your other Senate colleagues to join with them on a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders urging full funding of the EECBG program. With a weakening economy increasingly burdened by rising energy costs, we believe prompt funding commitments to this program will reduce energy use and ease energy price pressures, as local and state leaders work to chart a new course of increased energy independence, greater energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, this block grant will enable cities and counties throughout the U.S. to undertake many thousands of locally-based energy efficiency, conservation and production initiatives. Therefore, we urge your support for an appropriation at the authorized level of $2 billion to promptly launch this program to begin securing the national economic benefits that will occur. A strong funding commitment to this program will enable my city and other local governments throughout the state to accelerate locally-developed energy initiatives that will result in greater energy efficiency, increased conservation and new energy supplies. The block grant program structure gives us the flexibility to undertake a range of activities, such as building and home energy conservation programs, fuel conservation programs, alternative fuels development, building retrofits for increased energy efficiency, planning and zoning adjustments, and alternative energy programs. I strongly urge you to support funding commitments for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. If you have any questions, please contact my staff at or U.S. Conference of Mayors' staff, Debra DeHaney-Howard or Judy Sheahan, at (202) 293- 7330. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, .~ ~~~itc~ ~~~5 ~~a~~ ~;~,3a~~;vr E r~~v, ~~; ~~; ~~:~ February 28, 2008 Dear Colleague: We urge you to join us in signing onto a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development to request that they fully fund the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Black Grant program authorized in last year's energy bill. This program has strong support from the United States Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, sa you may have already heard from your local officials, ar you span will. The nation's energy crisis is burdening our economy. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program is a key component of responding to the crisis, making our country more energy efficient and. energy independent, and strengthening our economy. Additionally, the program will help form a new partnership with cities, counties, and states on our energy challenges. Authorized at $2 billion annually, the program is results-oriented, with recipients reporting each year on their energy efficiency gains. In addition, the program puts the decisions in the hands of local officials sa that they can meet the specific energy needs of their community. In support of our local officials, and far many other reasons, we are encouraging the Committee to fully fund this valuable program. If you would like to sign the letter, please contact Hal Connally in Senator MenendeL's office (4- 4744) or Jessica Maher in Senator Sanders' office (4-~ 141). Thank you. Sincerely, ~ t,,., ROBERT MEN ' 'DES RICHARD G. LUGA BERNA SANDERS United States S ar United States Senator United States Senator r~it~ ~~~~,~ ~cr~~~ Dear Chairman Dorgan and Ranking Member Domenici: We respectfully request that you include full funding in the Fiscal Year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Black Grant program as authorized in the Energy independence and Security Act of 200'7. Our country faces an energy crisis that affects national security, our national and global economy, and the planet as a whale. City, county, ,and state governments are ready to step up and address this problem, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grrant program allows them to do just that. 'I'bis new partnership program. is exactly what local of~ieials throughout the U.S. have been. urging Congress to embrace --an opportunity to expand on the success of local initiatives to increase energy efficiency, expand renewable energy supplies, and facilitate new employment opportunities. Authorized ai $2 billion annually, beginning with the current fiscal year, the law ensures that these resources are results-oriented, with recipients reporting each year on their energy efficiency gains. "these grants can be used for a variety of purposes, as determined by local officials who know best how to meet the specific energy needs of their communities. Possible uses include: developing and implementing efficient energy and conservation strategies; developing programs to conserve energy used in transportation; updating building codes and inspection procedures; installing renewable energy technology on or in government buildings; replacing tragic signals and street lighting with energy-efficient technology; energy audits; conservation programs; smart-growth planning and zoning; and installing technology designed to capture greenhouse gases. A strong commitment to this newly-authorized program is critical, especial)}r at a time when national economic growth is slowing and local revenues arc declining due to weakening real estate markets. To sustain the significant progress already being made by many localities and to support even broader local action to secure greater energy savings and other gains for the nation, we urge you to provide the fully-authorized level of funding for this program in the Fiscal Yeaz 2009 Appropriations process and through other available funding opportunities for this program. We thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, cc: C:hairnian Byrd Ranking Member Cochran ~17t~i~111I~tDlt, ~ fi 2L1~1:t SUPPORT LOCAL EFFORTS TO SAVE ENERGY AND FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING Fund local city, county, and state energy conservation programs and renewable generation March 7, 2008 Dear Colleague: Please jour us in sending a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development to request full funding far the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program authorized in last year's Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6j. Our nation's energy challenges require immediate action. The Energy Ef~`iciency acid Conservation Block Grant (ECBG) program will help form a new Federal partnership with cities, counties, and states to address our energy and emissions challenges. Authorized at $2 billion annually for five years, the probnam will help Iocal governments develop and implement comprehensive energy efficiency strategies to help the nation meet its energy and climate protection goals. Recipients must report each year on their energy savings and work to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions, to ensure maximum program effectiveness. The probnam will support local efforts to reduce energy usage, promote efficiency, and conserve valuable energy resources. ECBG grants will give local governments funding and assistance to: implement energy conservation programs for homeowners and businesses; reduce vehicle usage through smart planning, traffic flow improvements, and telecommuting; increase material conservation; and locally generate electricity with renewable energy technology like solar, wind, and fuel cells. Block grants provided by this program will help create and grow new energy- efficient communities, foster a nationwide market for renewable and efficient technologies, and achieve significant energy savings across this country. This pro~•am provides local governments with the support they need to strengthen and expand their energy probnams, and is supported by the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, acrd the U.S Conference of'Mayor•s, as well as state and local leaders across the country. Please ,join us in calling for the full funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conselvativn Block Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2009. To sign on or receive more information, please contact Ridg Mills in the office of Rep. Albert Wynn at 5-8699, or Stacy Barton in the office of Rep. Mike Turner at S-64b5. r ~;~.._ , ALBERT R. WYNN Member of Contness Sincerely, /t ~ ~ MICHAEL K. TURNER Member of Congn•ess PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Cnnrt~l•>e~~ >af #I~e ~iti#lel ~~~#.e~ ~1~~~~t~t~t~~~, ~~* ~n~-~~ March _, 2008 Dear Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson: We respectfully request that you include full funding in the Fiscal Year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant prol,~ram as authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Our country faces an energy crisis that affects national security, our national and global economy, and the planet as a whole. City, county, and state governments are ready to step up and address this problem, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program allows them to do just that. This new partnership prol~ram is exactly what local officials throughout the U.S. have been urging Congress to embrace --an opportunity to expand on the success of local initiatives to increase energy efficiency, expand renewable energy supplies, and facilitate new employment opportunities. Authorized at $2 billion annually, beginning with the cuixent fiscal year, the law ensures that these resources are results-oriented, with recipients reporting each year on their energy efficiency gains. These lnants can be used for a variety of purposes, as determined by local officials who know best how to meet the specific energy needs of their communities. Possible uses include: developing and implementing efficient energy and conservation strategies; developing programs to conserve energy used in transportation; updating building codes and inspection procedures; installing renewable energy technology on or in government buildings; replacing traffic signals and street lighting with energy-efficient technology; energy audits; conservation programs; smart-growth planning and zoning; and installing technology designed to capture lneenhouse gases. A strong comtmitment to this newly-authorized probnam is critical, especially at a time when national economic growth is slowing and local revenues are declining due to weakening real estate markets. To sustain the significant progress already being made by many localities and to support even broader local action to secure g~rcater energy savings aiid other gains for the nation, we urge you to provide the fully-authorized level of funding for this program in the Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations process and through other available funding opportunities for this program. We thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, cc: Chairman Obey Ranking Member Lewis PRINTED ON RECYClEO PAPER