E&E News: Cities are buying EVs in bulk for government fleets

“Most cities have taken the approach of ‘Let’s be as ambitious as possible and start to socialize and change the norms around light-duty and medium-duty vehicles,'” said Kate Wright, executive director of the nonprofit group Climate Mayors.

Climate Mayors has worked with the Electrification Coalition, another nonprofit, to set up a purchasing cooperative for cities that are looking for electric models. That’s important for smaller municipalities that may not have the staff or the time to search for EVs.

Smart Cities World: The EV boom is here, and mayors are taking the wheel

Mayor of Madison and and Chair Emerita of Climate Mayors, Satya Rhodes-Conway, says the time is now to leverage unprecedented federal funding to ensure a clean transportation future.

Work on Progress: Prioritizing resilience to extreme weather and climate change is creating new clean energy jobs

In this episode of Work in Progress, Mayor Justin Bibb of Cleveland talks about how a coalition of American mayors are attacking the impact of extreme weather and environmental challenges in their communities and are bolstering their local economies by creating clean energy jobs.

U.S. Green Building Council Q&A: Kate Wright, executive director of Climate Mayors

Listen to a conversation with Kate Wright on how Climate Mayors supports cities and communities.

With nearly $700 billion in funds from the Infrastructure and Investment Act and Inflation Reduction Act now moving through a political pipeline that stretches from Washington, D.C., to all 50 states and the nation’s more than 19,000 municipalities, the U.S. is accelerating its strategies to fight climate change. Climate Mayors, a bipartisan organization whose members are dedicated to demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities, is playing a vital, front-line role in this effort.

Providing leadership and strategic direction for the organization’s activities is its executive director, Kate Wright. USGBC recently spoke with her about the organization and the work that lies ahead.

Wright provided insight on several topics, including

• The opportunities in 2024. “We see this year as a pivot point, where we’ve demonstrated leadership for a decade, we have ambitious climate action plans, and now we have deep support from the federal government to move at a scale and a pace that we haven’t been able to.”

• Building up the resilient communities we need. “We have a number of tools and science that backs up the climate impacts that we can expect. We have the information, and so now it’s really about making sure that our social structure and our infrastructure is resilient enough to keep up with those impacts.”

• How Climate Mayors supports members. “We are getting the word out about grant programs. We’re helping our cities navigate that. We’re providing technical assistance. We’re providing peer learning opportunities and best practices and working to ensure that those benefits are being seen in the communities that our mayors serve.”

WLOS: Asheville mayor joins push to finalize strong emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles

Asheville mayor Esther Manheimer joined 75 mayors across America who signed a letter to the Biden administration to finalize strong emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

The rule would make the transition to electric heavy-duty vehicles like, trucks or buses, quicker across the country.

"As Mayor of Asheville, I signed on to the mayors’ climate letter," Manheimer said in a written statement. "The City of Asheville has a 100% renewable energy goal for municipal operations by 2030 and to support Buncombe County’s communitywide goal by 2042. The City of Asheville and Buncombe County are just two of the many local governments in North Carolina that have adopted climate goals. These ambitious goals are vital to addressing the climate emergency."

CleanTechnica: Climate Mayors Urge Biden Administration to Finalize the Strongest Possible Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Reduce Pollution & Improve Air Quality for Cities

75 members of the Climate Mayors organization and Electrification Coalition urge President Biden to protect public health, address the climate crisis, and align with the heavy-duty vehicle industry’s commitment to transition to zero-emission vehicles

Smart Cities World: How local governments in the US are tackling climate change

Climate Mayors looks back at 2023’s notable local climate action wins in the US, considering energy, transportation, resilience, extreme weather and innovation.

Spectrum News: Climate coalition begins solar power campaign in NE Ohio

The campaign was announced by America Is All In, which describes itself as “the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action.” The release notes that they will be seeking to bring attention to the benefits solar power when it comes to cost, specifically citing the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.

“We’re helping Ohio go all in on solar. The clean energy revolution is here,” said Gina McCarthy, managing co-chair of America Is All In, in the release. “Working with teams on the ground, we'll be talking directly to communities about how they can take advantage of the historic opportunities available through the Inflation Reduction Act to ditch fossil fuels once and for all and enjoy clean, affordable, and reliable solar power. Investing in solar means good-paying jobs right here in Ohio and cleaner air for generations to come.”
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“Cleveland is proud to be at the forefront of climate action. We were the first city in Ohio to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050, a community-driven target, and this campaign by America Is All In will go a long way in helping us deliver on that target,” said Justin Bibb, Cleveland mayor and chair of Climate Mayors. “We are going to make sure that everyone in Cleveland, especially our historically disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods, are able to enjoy the benefits of solar energy, from lower energy bills to cleaner air.”

Ideastream: Cleveland Mayor Bibb elected as chair of bipartisan Climate Mayors collaborative

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb will be stepping into a new role as chair of Climate Mayors, a bipartisan organization that includes hundreds of mayors from across the country.

As chair, his priorities include centering racial equity and climate justice in this role, Bibb said, to ensure all residents are involved in and benefit from the decision-making process.

“It's so critical that we, as the mayors, talk about a work, wages and wealth agenda as it relates to the green economy so that we can ensure that every resident can be a part of this transition and that we leave no resident behind,” he said.

Cleveland Plain Dealer: EV charging stations, renewables, and more: Newly-named Climate Mayors Chair Justin Bibb lays out Cleveland’s 2024 climate goals

Mayor Justin Bibb has been chosen as chair of Climate Mayors, a national organization of mayors who are focused on tackling climate change at the local level.

In announcing his new role on Tuesday, Bibb laid out several climate priorities for Cleveland in 2024, including an expansion of the EV charging network, more renewable energy use at city buildings, and the creation of a long-term decarbonization plan.

“This is our moment as cities and mayors to really lead the way to advance economic and climate justice in our respective communities,” Bibb told fellow mayors and the press during a virtual Climate Mayors meeting on Tuesday.

“I’m seeing it firsthand now as mayor of Cleveland,” he said. “It’s going to take an all-of-government approach, working with the private sector and other key government organizations to truly implement the climate solutions our residents need and deserve.”

Philanthropy News Digest: Philanthropy is the key to ensuring cities’ climate benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act

While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provide unprecedented levels of funding for climate action, challenges remain for local governments. Of the $369 billion for climate and resilience funding in the IRA, only $37 billion, or 9 percent, will be split between states, counties, cities, and tribes, with the largest portion going to states. And nearly all of the funding for cities is through competitive grants and not the direct and more flexible formula funding that states receive.

These programs put the same demands on cities as they do on states, while providing far less money to already resource-constrained local governments. In addition, cost-share requirements exacerbate this issue for smaller cities and those with fewer resources. While local governments may receive only a small portion of IRA funds, $227 billion will be available as tax credits to businesses and $43 billion for individuals.

This is where the philanthropic community can and must step in. Philanthropy can play a pivotal role in ensuring that cities and the community-based organizations that local leaders work with have access to grantwriters, technical assistance, and pathways to collaborate with local, state, and tribal governments. With this support, Americans will be able to see the tangible benefits of lower energy bills, new job opportunities, and more resilient communities.

Washington Post: White House defines ‘zero-emission’ buildings, hoping more get built

The new national resilience strategy comes as the nation reels from a string of costly disasters, including devastating wildfires in Maui and Hurricane Idalia in Florida. Scientists say climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, fueling a rise in calamities that cost the nation at least $1 billion each. Idalia became the 23rd “billion dollar” weather disaster to strike the United States this year, eclipsing the previous record of 22 set in 2020.

“2023 has set a new record for the most billion-dollar disasters in U.S. history, and that’s beginning to feel like the new normal,” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, the mayor of Madison, Wis., and chair of Climate Mayors, a bipartisan coalition of more than 750 mayors committed to climate action.

“When disaster strikes, it’s local government that has to pick up the pieces. We’re the ones on the front lines,” Rhodes-Conway said on a call with reporters Wednesday previewing the summit. “And the Biden administration gets that.”

The Hill: We need to build on the Inflation Reduction Act, not reverse it

For decades, local leaders have had a front-row seat to what the changing climate means for the future of our families and our economy. That’s why we’re focused on deploying people-first solutions and delivering results for the long-term. Today, that means breaking down political barriers to ensure our communities can benefit from the provisions in the IRA, now and for years to come.

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While the national discourse may be rife with polarization, on the local level we know the true impact of climate leadership: affordable clean energy, pollution-free air and meaningful climate justice. Because we are so close to the action, mayors know first-hand that locally deployed solutions like those above create lasting impacts on communities. By lowering energy costs, creating jobs and improving public health, local leaders are reshaping lives for the better.

Smart Cities World: Furthering the role of local leadership in US climate action

Kate Wright, executive director of Climate Mayors, details the unique role of mayors in furthering urban climate action, explaining how communication can bring them closer to communities to make the most of unprecedented federal funding.

Smart Cities Dive: On clean energy tax credits, mayors want clearer federal guidance

But direct pay is still new terrain for localities. In June, the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service proposed guidance to help eligible entities understand the scope and eligibility requirements of the IRA provisions. The Climate Mayors’ letter was submitted during the public comment period on this proposed guidance, although cities have been thinking about how they can use direct payments since the IRA was enacted last year, said the organization’s policy director, Meghan Pazik. 

“The overall top line of the letter was ‘Try to make the guidance as simple as possible for cities but also these now eligible entities,’” Pazik said.

In the letter, the mayors repeatedly noted their appreciation of the incentives and proposed guidance. The letter acknowledges that the Treasury, in particular, “faces an immense challenge in rolling out a program that is so new to the agency so quickly” while complying with various requirements and nuances. 

But the letter is also clear about some of the challenges localities face in using the incentives. “In addition to the feedback and comments we have provided, it is critical that the Administration understands the limited capacity of localities and the need for as much clarification and specificity as possible when it comes to eligible projects, eligible entities, and the process to receive elective payments,” the letter says.

Smart Cities World: City climate investments: a year of US urban climate action

In an overview of climate action progress in the 12 months since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed into law, Climate Mayors, C40 and USDN reflect on how federal funding has progressed urban climate action.

Smart Cities World: US mayors sign letter to “turbocharge” local climate action

More than 50 US mayors have signed a letter to the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (Treasury) laying out a set of recommendations regarding a new programme that will allow cities to benefit from clean energy tax credits and help them “turbocharge” local climate action.

C-Span: Satya Rhodes-Conway on the Inflation Reduction Act and Investments in Cities

More than 50 US mayors have signed a letter to the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (Treasury) laying out a set of recommendations regarding a new programme that will allow cities to benefit from clean energy tax credits and help them “turbocharge” local climate action.

Utility Dive: Booming EV sales amp up the pressure on cities and companies to meet charging demand

City leaders are “very much thinking about how to equitably deploy” charging infrastructure in low- and medium-income areas, said Climate Mayors’ policy director, Meghan Pazik, in an interview. She added that many cities are already working to deploy EV charging stations and electrify their municipal vehicle fleets. 

Pazik also pointed out that the newly proposed EPA standards will help cities accelerate their climate action plans and meet their climate goals. “Cities are just trying to think through what makes sense for their city,” she said.

Cap Times: Madison Mayor Rhodes-Conway to serve as chair of U.S. Climate Mayors

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is the new chair of the U.S. Climate Mayors, a bipartisan network of over 500 mayors across the country committed to climate leadership in their respective cities, the group announced Wednesday.

Rhodes-Conway is the first female leader of Climate Mayors, a group founded in 2014 aimed at creating local climate leadership and building partnerships for federal and global climate action. Hundreds of members have signed the Climate Mayors letters committing to the Paris Agreement and calling on Congress to invest in a green and equitable economic recovery.

Rhodes-Conway described the group as “small but mighty.” But in order to meet the challenges of climate change, she would like to see Climate Mayors grow and tell its stories of action.

“Climate is the defining issue of our time,” Rhodes-Conway said at a Wednesday press conference. “This is a critical time for climate action in cities. The federal government is making unprecedented investments in climate action and, as we all know, cities have long been leaders in actually taking action on climate on the ground.”