Statement: Climate Mayors and C40 Cities Applaud the Climate and Health Benefits for Cities from the EPA’s Final Power Plant Rule

April 25, 2024 – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a final rule that sets limits on carbon emissions from existing coal-fired and new gas-fired power plants. These standards will reduce carbon pollution and other harmful pollutants, which will help to protect public health and address the disproportionate impact of pollution on historically underserved communities.

The EPA’s final rule will help the United States achieve its goal of reducing national carbon emissions by 50-52% by 2030. As the second largest source of carbon dioxide pollution nationally, limiting emissions from the electric power generation sector is critical to address climate change and reach our national targets. The new standards for power plants will reduce harmful pollution such as nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5), while strengthening the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for coal-fired power plants and reducing hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. This will not only address climate impacts but will improve public health, avoiding more than 360,000 cases of asthma symptoms in 2035 alone.

Local governments and their community partners have been leading the effort to set ambitious emissions reduction targets and address the existence of harmful pollutants. In 2023, Climate Mayors and C40 Cities called on the EPA to adopt ambitious standards. Cities such as Madison, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Cleveland have created climate action plans to control carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy solutions. Our members are also committed to addressing the disproportionate impact of carbon pollution and pollutants on historically underserved and overburdened communities. The EPA’s latest emissions limits will help cities achieve their climate goals and ensure cleaner air for all communities.

“Today’s rule from the EPA is a much-needed measure to tackle air pollution in our communities and improve the health and safety of our residents,” said Kate Wright, Climate Mayors’ Executive Director. “With stronger pollution limits, our country will shift away from dangerous fossil fuels to clean energy solutions that are better for our economy and health. We welcome the EPA’s rules, which will undoubtedly strengthen the existing efforts of mayors and local leaders to create cleaner, healthier, and more thriving cities across the U.S. Climate Mayors remains committed to working with the EPA to continue reducing planet-warming emissions while addressing the impacts of air pollution on our communities.”

“Too often, lower income and communities of color bear the brunt of pollution, and suffer the most devastating impacts of extreme weather exacerbated by carbon emissions,” said Kate Johnson, Head of US Federal Affairs for C40 Cities. “The EPA’s final rule on power plant emissions is a major step forward in our shared work to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for millions of Americans.. Along with leading mayors across the country, C40 Cities looks forward to building on this rule to ensure clean air for all.”

Climate Mayors and C40 Cities Shine a Light on EPA’s $7B Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Announcement for Expansion of Local Solar Investment

April 22, 2023 – On this Earth Day, Climate Mayors and C40 Cities celebrate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) award of another $7 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). The funding adds to the recent announcement of $20 billion for clean energy projects. This final tranche of funding from the Solar For All program has been granted to 60 state, territory, Tribal government, municipality, and nonprofit awardees to help enable over 900,000 low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.

The unprecedented program specifically directs funding for states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to support low-income and disadvantaged communities to invest in residential solar power. As cities account for nearly 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, providing access to affordable clean energy is critical to both local and global emissions reductions goals.

There is no climate progress without climate justice. Low-income and disadvantaged communities have disproportionately higher energy burdens than the national median. The EPA’s work to support communities and their clean energy transition is vital in securing an equitable and healthy future for all. We look forward to seeing localities activate billions of dollars to deploy community solar projects and close the gap for accessing solar energy.

“Clean energy is a key component to addressing climate change and increasing community resilience. The new Solar For All funding will support historically overburdened communities with clean, affordable, and reliable energy to power a healthier and more sustainable future for American families,” said Kate Wright, Executive Director of Climate Mayors. “We are excited to support our mayors to meet this moment and put this unprecedented funding into action.”

“Funding from the EPA’s Solar For All program will transform lives in cities across America.” said Kate Johnson, Head of US Federal Affairs at C40 Cities. “Projects funded by this program will help alleviate the burden of high utility bills for lower income households and create good jobs – all while slashing climate pollution. We look forward to working with mayors to implement clean energy projects and build a stronger, more inclusive future for all.”

Climate Mayors Board of Directors Welcomes Three New Members and Thanks Outgoing Member Roger Kim

Climate Mayors wishes to express gratitude to our outgoing board member Roger Kim who served on the board from 2017-2023. His leadership has played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of our organization, and their impact will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy. Roger Kim was the former Senior Advisor to the Mayor of San Francisco where he was responsible for issues related to climate change, energy, and the environment, and also served on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Climate + Clean Energy Equity Fund. His valuable insights and commitment to our mission have been instrumental in guiding Climate Mayors, and we are grateful for the time and energy he dedicated to our cause.

As we extend our sincere appreciation for the passion and expertise Roger Kim brought to the table, we also look ahead with excitement and optimism. We are thrilled to welcome new members to our executive board. Their diverse perspectives and wealth of experience will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of our organization.

The Climate Mayors Board of Directors welcomes the following board members:

Kizzy Charles-Guzman: Kizzy Charles-Guzman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Environmental Health. Her team protects people from toxic chemicals by working with communities, consumers, workers, government, and the private sector to demand and support business practices that are safe for public health and the environment. Kizzy has dedicated over 18 years of her career to deliver policy work at the intersection of environmental sustainability, public health, and racial equity on behalf of New Yorkers.

Previously, Kizzy has advised three New York City Mayors in her career; successfully securing over $4 billion dollars in investments to uplift historically underserved and marginalized neighborhoods. She received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Quality Award and a Champion of Change Award from the U.S. White House under President Obama, in recognition of her policy achievements, her contributions to society, her focus on justice, and her dedication to her community. She is a graduate of Carleton College and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Jeff Hébert: A former senior city official and current global thought leader in economic revitalization and climate policy, Jeff Hébert is the CEO of HR&A Advisors, overseeing the company’s strategic direction and operations across its six offices.

Jeff has spent his career developing strategies that adapt and respond to changing economies and environments. Over the past twenty years, he has advised corporations, governments, non-profits, and philanthropies on issues of public policy, economic development, and climate resilience.

Since joining the firm in 2019, Jeff has served on the firm’s Management Committee and since 2020 as HR&A’s President, where he was critical to the historic growth of the company’s business and number of employees. He has also been a leader in the firm’s economic development and climate resilience practices with recent projects in New York City, Newark, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Tulsa, and Washington, DC.

Before joining HR&A, Jeff served Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the City of New Orleans in many capacities including as the First Deputy Mayor & Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Resilience Officer, and as Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority in the years following Hurricane Katrina.

Rachel Isacoff: Rachel Isacoff is a Director at The Rockefeller Foundation where she leads the Foundation’s domestic climate solutions work and specializes in bridging economic opportunity and climate equity in the U.S. Outside of RF, she is a council member of the Climigration Network and is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Pratt Institute’s Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment.

Previously, she collaborated with private, nonprofit, and public partners across sectors to develop tools and equity initiatives that support communities on the frontlines of climate change. Most notably she worked on climate adaptation and 100 Resilient Cities strategies at HR&A Advisors, key climate justice and equitable relocation projects at the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama’s administration, and energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions at HUD.

They will join Board Chair Matt Petersen and Board Members Katherine Gajewski, Kelly Shultz, and Laura Spanjian. We extend a warm welcome to our incoming board members and we are confident their insights and leadership will further elevate our organization and propel us towards new heights. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.

Thank you to Roger Kim for your outstanding service, and a warm welcome to our new leaders. With your support, we look forward to achieving even greater milestones in the coming years.

Climate Mayors Team

Climate Mayors, C40 Cities and Urban Sustainability Directors Network Applaud EPA’s $20B Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Announcement and Urge Local Government Partnership

Climate Mayors, C40 Cities and Urban Sustainability Directors Network Applaud EPA’s $20B Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Announcement and Urge Local Government Partnership

April 4, 2023 – Today, Climate Mayors, C40 Cities and Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) celebrated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) award of the initial $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to deploy green capital into clean energy projects that will cut pollution,create good-paying jobs, and deliver benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities. The GGRF – made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – will be granting $14 billion through the National Clean Investment Fund and $6 billion through the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator to national clean financing institutions and non-profit organizations, respectively.

Local governments play a vital role in the development and implementation of clean energy projects. The unique roles cities play, detailed in the report Maximizing the Impact of US Federal Climate Investments, makes them essential partners to GGRF recipients in mobilizing capital to protect community health and tackle the climate crisis. Climate Mayors, C40 Cities and USDN encourage GGRF recipients to work with cities to develop investments into equitable housing, transportation, and clean energy technologies. This funding provides cities newfound financial leverage in standing up projects that will improve the quality of life for residents while also mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.

As we know, there’s no climate progress without climate justice. The National Clean Investment Fund requires 40% of projects to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities, while the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator requires 100% of the projects to take place in and benefit low income and disadvantaged communities. City governments are a key ingredient in achieving the full potential of GGRF funds on the ground – giving way to meaningful and equitable partnerships that can catapult cities into their sustainable and equitable futures. Climate Mayors, C40 Cities, and USDN celebrate the EPA’s dedication to serving communities that have been historically underinvested in.

We look forward to the future announcement of recipients of the $7 billion Solar For All competition. Solar For All is dedicated to expanding the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment. Climate Mayors, C40 and USDN have previously encouraged coordination and partnership with the GGRF program that impacts local communities – we hope to continue working together to make a lasting impact.

“Equitable access to clean and affordable energy is foundational to a sustainable future for cities,” said Kate Wright, Executive Director of Climate Mayors. “This unique fund will allow cities to fully leverage community and private sector partnerships to make historic strides in creating green jobs, reducing air pollution and lowering energy bills for residents. We thank the Biden Administration for making that a possibility, and providing an additional tool to help our Mayors continue to lead the way towards a brighter future.”

“The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is a historic opportunity to invest in communities and create a cleaner and more just energy system for all,” said Kate Johnson, Head of US Federal Affairs at C40 Cities. “Cities are uniquely positioned to ensure that the projects funded by GGRF recipients deliver the maximum benefit to people on the ground – cleaner air, good paying jobs, and lower energy bills. C40 applauds the EPA’s action, and encourages all GGRF recipients to partner with mayors to advance transformative, community-driven projects that will improve people’s lives.”

“Sustainability, climate resilience, and equity are the pillars of a future where every community can thrive,” said Deneine Powell, Executive Director of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. “Through the EPA’s greenhouse gas reduction grant competitions, we are leveling the playing field and ensuring that support and energy equity reach those most vulnerable to climate change. This announcement marks a critical step towards empowering communities nationwide, fostering partnerships that drive innovation in green technology, and securing a healthier, more sustainable environment for all.”