Mayor Chávez Represents The Nation's Mayors
Washington, D.C. – Albuquerque (NM) Mayor Martin J. Chavez will testify on behalf of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) today, Monday, April 23, 2007, before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources regarding S. 1115 -- legislation that includes specific language supporting cities’ efforts to build upon their growing grassroots initiatives aimed at reducing energy use and curbing carbon dioxide.
In January, Mayor Palmer unveiled a 10-Point Plan, Strong Cities, Strong Families, for a Strong America, that called upon Congress to enact an Energy and Environmental Block Grant, modeled after the highly successful Community Development Block Grant.
Additionally, the Conference established a Climate Protection Center and more than 460 mayors have signed the Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. These 460 mayors and others in cities all around the country are already taking action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels.
This new legislation now pending before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee provides new federal funding directly to Mayors, County Executives and Governors to support programs that improve community energy efficiency, helping the nation curb its energy dependency and thereby reducing carbon dioxide.
