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Climate Mayors Launch National Dialogue on Green and Equitable Recovery

The leadership series will feature conversations in regions across the U.S., highlighting how environmental initiatives will help stimulate local economies, create jobs, improve public health, and reduce carbon emissions in the wake of COVID-19

Read the top takeaways from the series.

Watch the Ohio Valley event's full panel discussion.

Listen to the Great Lakes event's full panel discussion.

Watch the Texas event's full panel discussion.

 Watch the Southeast event's full panel discussion.

JULY 14, 2020 – Today, Climate Mayors, the network of 453 U.S. mayors committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement, announced the Climate Mayors National Dialogue on Green and Equitable Recovery, a virtual speaker series advocating for national leadership to prioritize recovery policies that are environmentally sustainable and socially just in the time of COVID-19. Each livestream event will feature members of Climate Mayors and other leaders from a specific U.S. region, and convene like-minded institutions, partners, and policy makers for a discussion about successful local climate initiatives, and how to drive a just, equitable, and resilient economic recovery. Climate Mayors and partners will also discuss the ways that their sustainability policies prioritize frontline communities and communities of color, who are more likely to be affected by pollution and the negative impacts of climate change.

“When the COVID-19 crisis ends, we have to heed the lessons of this moment in our recovery –– placing communities hit hardest by this pandemic on the path to a more just, sustainable, and healthy future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Chair and co-founder of Climate Mayors. “Hailing from every part of the country, Climate Mayors are leading the response today and stand ready to pave the road ahead with climate action that boosts jobs, spurs equitable growth, delivers cleaner air, and lowers emissions for frontline families.”

The Climate Mayors National Dialogue on Green and Equitable Recovery will kick off later this month in the Southeast with a panel featuring Climate Mayors Steering Committee member Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Climate Mayors member Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Climate Mayors member Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin, and US Representative Kathy Castor from Florida’s 14th District and Chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, moderated by veteran journalist Tom O’Hara of The Invading Sea, a collaboration of 26 news organizations that cover climate change in Florida. 

Watch the full panel discussion. 

Events later in the summer and fall will feature Climate Mayors and partners from the Great Lakes region, Texas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.
For more information on the upcoming Climate Mayors livestream panel discussions, including dates and times as they are announced, please visit www.climatemayors.org.

About Climate Mayors: Representing 72 million Americans from 48 states, Climate Mayors is a diverse network of 453 U.S. city leaders who have committed to fighting climate change. Originally founded in 2014, the network’s ranks swelled to almost 400 mayors in response to the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Climate Mayors commit to taking ambitious action to meet each of their cities’ current climate goals, while working together towards achieving our national Paris targets. Climate Mayors is founded and Chaired by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Co-Chaired by Mayors Sylvester Turner (Houston) and Martin J. Walsh (Boston). For more information, please visit www.climatemayors.org.

Media Contact: Melody Meyer, mmeyer@bpimedia.com; Grace Hemming, ghemming@bpimedia.com

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Climate Mayors Network Announces Steering Committee to Strengthen City Climate Action

Committee will serve to galvanize city climate leadership among Climate Mayors’ 400+ network members city climate leadership increasingly important as federal government has taken a back seat in addressing the global climate crisis.

DECEMBER 3, 2019 – Today, Climate Mayors, the network of 438 U.S. mayors across the country committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement, announced the launch of a new Steering Committee, led by twenty-four mayors who will serve as critical voices within the network and across the country to spotlight climate leadership exhibited in cities throughout the United States. The Climate Mayors’ Steering Committee makes clear that mayors across the country have and will continue to step up and lead on climate, regardless of the decisions made at the federal level. The Steering Committee will work alongside the Climate Mayors’ Chair, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Co-Chairs, Mayors Madeline Rogero, Sylvester Turner, and Martin J. Walsh to highlight the importance of city-led climate action in creating healthier, cleaner, and more equitable and sustainable cities. The Steering Committee will also work to catalyze membership and more deeply engage their regions, as well as showcase the impactful work of existing Climate Mayors and how cities are helping meet the scope and the scale of the challenge posed by climate change. After President Trump announced his initial plans to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris Agreement in June 2017, more than 300 mayors joined the Climate Mayors coalition and pledged to continue working toward the goals of the Agreement in their cities. The network has since grown to over 400 mayors, both Democrat and Republican, who represent cities ranging in size and region and show the overwhelming support for climate action among the majority of Americans.

“Cities across our country and around the world see the impacts of climate change firsthand — and we stand front and center in the fight to address this crisis with every tool at our disposal,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “No matter what happens on the national level, cities know we cannot afford any more debates or delays, so we will continue to act to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, protect our most vulnerable residents, strengthen global health, and create a green economy that works for everyone.”

“Our Steering Committee mayors are climate action leaders, both within their communities and within our network. We appreciate their willingness to step up and support Climate Mayors in building greater political will for action at the federal and global level,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. 

“The strength and moral standing of Climate Mayors is derived from the broad and diverse population we represent,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Whether you are a big city or a small city, in a red state or a blue state, climate change affects us all. Mayors across the country are making a bold commitment to build stronger, more resilient cities and a more sustainable future. We are stronger together and I look forward to working with these mayors as we face this great challenge.”

“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and we need the support of all mayors to truly make a difference on this global issue,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “As a coastal city, Boston is at the frontlines of this crisis, and I look forward to joining my fellow mayors as we lead with plans, solutions and results.”

“The Climate Mayors network is more than four hundred strong, and counting,” said James Ritchotte, Director of Climate Mayors. “We’re excited to have these twenty-four mayors lead us in showcasing the important work of cities and maximizing the collective impact of Climate Mayors across the country who are fighting climate change in their communities.”

The following mayors are members of the Climate Mayors Steering Committee:

  1. Steve Adler (Austin, TX)

  2. Ethan Berkowitz (Anchorage, AK)

  3. Jim Brainard (Carmel, IN)

  4. Michael Cahill (Beverly, MA)

  5. Kirk Caldwell (Honolulu, HI)

  6. LaToya Cantrell (New Orleans, LA)

  7. Melvin Carter (Saint Paul, MN)

  8. Jane Castor (Tampa, FL)

  9. Frank Cownie (Des Moines, IA)

  10. Bill de Blasio (New York City)

  11. Mike Duggan (Detroit, MI)

  12. Buddy Dyer (Orlando, FL)

  13. Kevin Faulconer (San Diego, CA)

  14. Greg Fischer (Louisville, KY)

  15. Kate Gallego (Phoenix, AZ)

  16. Michael Hancock (Denver, CO)

  17. James Hovland (Edina, MN)

  18. Eric Johnson (Dallas, TX)

  19. Lioneld Jordan (Fayetteville, AR)

  20. Tim Keller (Albuquerque, NM)

  21. Ron Nirenberg (San Antonio, TX)

  22. Bill Peduto (Pittsburgh, PA)

  23. Satya Rhodes-Conway (Madison, WI)

  24. Lucy Vinis (Eugene, OR)

Media Inquiries: Carey Hickox, chickox@bpimedia.com
About Climate Mayors Climate Mayors, founded in 2014, is a diverse network of U.S. city leaders who have committed to fighting climate change. In response to the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the network’s ranks swelled to more than 400 U.S. mayors from across the country who have committed to taking ambitious action to meet each of their cities’ current climate goals, while working together towards achieving our national Paris targets. Climate Mayors is founded and Chaired by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Co-Chaired by Mayors Madeline Rogero (Knoxville), Sylvester Turner (Houston) and Martin J. Walsh (Boston). For more information, please visit www.climatemayors.org.

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Climate Mayors Network Announces Steering Committee to Strengthen City Climate Action

Committee will serve to galvanize city climate leadership among Climate Mayors’ 400+ network membersCity climate leadership increasingly important as federal government has taken a back seat in addressing the global climate crisis

DECEMBER 3, 2019 – Today, Climate Mayors, the network of 438 U.S. mayors across the country committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement, announced the launch of a new Steering Committee, led by twenty-four mayors who will serve as critical voices within the network and across the country to spotlight climate leadership exhibited in cities throughout the United States. The Climate Mayors’ Steering Committee makes clear that mayors across the country have and will continue to step up and lead on climate, regardless of the decisions made at the federal level.

The Steering Committee will work alongside the Climate Mayors’ Chair, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Co-Chairs, Mayors Madeline Rogero, Sylvester Turner, and Martin J. Walsh to highlight the importance of city-led climate action in creating healthier, cleaner, and more equitable and sustainable cities. The Steering Committee will also work to catalyze membership and more deeply engage their regions, as well as showcase the impactful work of existing Climate Mayors and how cities are helping meet the scope and the scale of the challenge posed by climate change.

After President Trump announced his initial plans to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris Agreement in June 2017, more than 300 mayors joined the Climate Mayors coalition and pledged to continue working toward the goals of the Agreement in their cities. The network has since grown to over 400 mayors, both Democrat and Republican, who represent cities ranging in size and region and show the overwhelming support for climate action among the majority of Americans.

“Cities across our country and around the world see the impacts of climate change firsthand — and we stand front and center in the fight to address this crisis with every tool at our disposal,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “No matter what happens on the national level, cities know we cannot afford any more debates or delays, so we will continue to act to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, protect our most vulnerable residents, strengthen global health, and create a green economy that works for everyone.”

“Our Steering Committee mayors are climate action leaders, both within their communities and within our network. We appreciate their willingness to step up and support Climate Mayors in building greater political will for action at the federal and global level,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said.  

“The strength and moral standing of Climate Mayors is derived from the broad and diverse population we represent,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Whether you are a big city or a small city, in a red state or a blue state, climate change affects us all. Mayors across the country are making a bold commitment to build stronger, more resilient cities and a more sustainable future. We are stronger together and I look forward to working with these mayors as we face this great challenge.”

“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and we need the support of all mayors to truly make a difference on this global issue,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “As a coastal city, Boston is at the frontlines of this crisis, and I look forward to joining my fellow mayors as we lead with plans, solutions and results.”

“The Climate Mayors network is more than four hundred strong, and counting,” said James Ritchotte, Director of Climate Mayors. “We’re excited to have these twenty-four mayors lead us in showcasing the important work of cities and maximizing the collective impact of Climate Mayors across the country who are fighting climate change in their communities.”

The following mayors are members of the Climate Mayors Steering Committee:

  1. Steve Adler (Austin, TX)

  2. Ethan Berkowitz (Anchorage, AK)

  3. Jim Brainard (Carmel, IN)

  4. Michael Cahill (Beverly, MA)

  5. Kirk Caldwell (Honolulu, HI)

  6. LaToya Cantrell (New Orleans, LA)

  7. Melvin Carter (Saint Paul, MN)

  8. Jane Castor (Tampa, FL)

  9. Frank Cownie (Des Moines, IA)

  10. Bill de Blasio (New York City)

  11. Mike Duggan (Detroit, MI)

  12. Buddy Dyer (Orlando, FL)

  13. Kevin Faulconer (San Diego, CA)

  14. Greg Fischer (Louisville, KY)

  15. Kate Gallego (Phoenix, AZ)

  16. Michael Hancock (Denver, CO)

  17. James Hovland (Edina, MN)

  18. Eric Johnson (Dallas, TX)

  19. Lioneld Jordan (Fayetteville, AR)

  20. Tim Keller (Albuquerque, NM)

  21. Ron Nirenberg (San Antonio, TX)

  22. Bill Peduto (Pittsburgh, PA)

  23. Satya Rhodes-Conway (Madison, WI)

  24. Lucy Vinis (Eugene, OR)

Media Inquiries: Carey Hickox, chickox@bpimedia.com

About Climate Mayors: Climate Mayors, founded in 2014, is a diverse network of U.S. city leaders who have committed to fighting climate change. In response to the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the network’s ranks swelled to more than 400 U.S. mayors from across the country who have committed to taking ambitious action to meet each of their cities’ current climate goals, while working together towards achieving our national Paris targets. Climate Mayors is founded and Chaired by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Co-Chaired by Mayors Madeline Rogero (Knoxville), Sylvester Turner (Houston) and Martin J. Walsh (Boston).

For more information, please visit www.climatemayors.org.

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Climate Mayors Statement on the Trump Administration’s Announcement of Formal Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

NOVEMBER 4, 2019 — Today, the Climate Mayors, a non-partisan network of U.S. mayors working to combat climate change through meaningful actions in their communities, issued the following statement denouncing the Trump administration’s announcement that it will begin formal withdrawal proceedings from the Paris Agreement: “The Trump administration’s announcement reaffirms what we’ve already known: this administration is willing to ignore the realities of climate change and risk the physical and financial health of Americans. “From heavy flooding in the Midwestern plains to intense storms and sea level rise on the coasts, cities across the country are already feeling the impacts of the climate crisis. Despite misguided decisions from the White House, mayors are continuing to step up with innovative and impactful policies to curb emissions from the bottom-up, from deploying more electric vehicles to installing more renewable energy. “From the moment President Trump announced his withdrawal from Paris, our coalition has continued to grow. Now, we represent 435 mayors and over 71 million Americans from both red and blue states, all working together to demonstrate leadership on climate change. No matter what the White House throws our way, Climate Mayors will remain steadfast in upholding the commitments made under the Paris Agreement – and we’ll continue leading climate progress in cities across the country.”

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Climate Mayors Statement on President Trump’s Revocation of California Clean Air Act Waiver

September 18, 2019 – Today, a spokesperson from Climate Mayors issued the following statement around the Trump administration’s revocation of California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act: “President Trump’s announcement today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will rescind California’s authority to regulate pollution from automobiles runs in direct opposition to the EPA’s stated mission and the federal Clean Air Act (CAA), and will be harmful to our residents’ physical and financial health – impacts that we simply cannot afford in the face of a growing climate crisis. We need carmakers to harness their innovation and accelerate the nation’s progress toward a new, clean era of transportation. Instead, today’s decision will stall the progress we’ve already made in cleaning up our transportation sector, the highest-polluting sector in the United States. Under the CAA, California has the authority to adopt stronger pollution standards than those set by the federal government. Other states have not been granted similar authority but can opt to follow California’s motor vehicle emission regulations. Maintaining state authority to protect local communities from pollution has strong support from Climate Mayors across the country who want to take meaningful and ambitious action toward fighting climate change. The administration’s ironic assault on states’ rights will directly harm the more than 118 million people living in 14 states and the District of Columbia that have adopted more stringent vehicle pollution standards in order to protect the health of their communities. But whether or not the White House is on board, this much is clear: the automotive industry is already producing cleaner and, increasingly, more zero-emissions vehicles – not just because they’re good for the environment, but also because of the economic and public health benefits that follow. That’s why companies such as Honda, Ford, Volkswagen, and BMW have already expressed their commitment to maintaining strong emissions standards established in 2012 and currently under threat by the Trump administration. And it’s also why Climate Mayors across the country are making strides in deploying clean vehicles in their cities. The Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative is bringing cities to the table and deploying electric vehicles to streets from coast to coast – and no decision from the White House will stop our progress. As Climate Mayors representing over 71 million Americans in over 430 cities across the United States, we are committed to leading on climate action, no matter who occupies the Oval Office. We will continue our efforts to hasten the transition to more efficient and zero-emissions vehicles because we know it’s what’s best for our residents, our economy, and our environment.”

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Climate Mayors’ EV Purchasing Collaborative Recruits 127 Cities to Purchase Over 2100 EVs by 2020

Collaborative platform announces plans for new national solicitation to add school buses, new purchases will cut annual gas usage by up to 1 million gallons

HONOLULU, HI – (June 27, 2019) –Today, at the second-annual Climate Mayors Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative (“the Collaborative”) announced that more than 127 cities and 15 counties from across 38 states including the District of Columbia have joined the Collaborative and committed to purchasing more than 2100 electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2020.  

By transitioning to EVs, cities are leading by example: helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet, saving taxpayer money, improving public health, and reducing our nation’s dependency on oil. With 127 cities committing to the Collaborative, by the end of 2020 the EV commitments have the potential to:

  • Cut gas usage by up to 1 million gallons each year;

  • Transition to electric up to 25 million miles driven each year; and

  • Add more than $75 million in purchasing power to the electric vehicle market[1].

As part of Climate Mayors’ commitment to grow participation and offerings in the Collaborative, its procurement partner, Sourcewell, will be releasing a new national solicitation for electric school buses by the end of the year, enabling all electric school bus manufacturers to participate and become readily available for any public school system to access at competitive prices. The Collaborative will continue to expand in the future, including to transit buses and other vehicle types. With more than 470,000 school buses operating across the country, transitioning to electric school buses creates a big opportunity to make it easier for school children across the U.S. to travel on a zero-emission bus.

“Expanding the use of electric vehicles in cities and states is not just good for the environment – it’s good for local economies and the health of residents,” said Climate Mayors’ Founder and Co-Chair Eric Garcetti. “In Los Angeles, moving our fleet away from fossil-fuels to electric has led to lower costs for maintenance, operation, and fueling, all while improving air quality and public health. The continued growth of the Collaborative reflects the commitment and leadership of cities across the country to address climate change – but we can’t stop here. This initiave has to reach into every city across the country. I urge my fellow mayors to embrace the future and drive electric.”

“The electrification of Honolulu’s city and bus fleets will go a long way in making our island more sustainable and resilient in the face of the current climate crisis,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “However, it will also improve the natural environment for our residents and visitors by eliminating smoky exhaust fumes and noise pollution from our communities. By coming together under one umbrella with this EV Collaborative, mayors across the country are increasing the purchasing power of taxpayers while also showing love for Mother Nature.”

“Cities across the country are demonstrating critical leadership by committing to transition their fleets to electrification - reducing our dependence on oil, while also improving our nation’s health, and our economic, and national security,” said Ben Prochazka, Vice President of the Electrication Coalition. “We hope other mayors around the country will see this as a call to action and plug their fleets into the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative.”

In agreeing to purchase electric vehicles through the Collaborative, public agencies gain access to competitively solicited electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, as well as innovative leasing options that allow cities to reduce EV costs by accessing state and federal tax credits. The Collaborative also provides support with analysis and best practices for fleet electrification to cities as they consider switching to electric.

With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Collaborative is working with the American Cities Climate Challenge, a group of 25 of the largest U.S. cities who are pursuing ambitious goals to cut emissions and fight climate change from the bottom-up. American Cities Climate Challenge cities represent about 700 vehicles of the commitment.

Launched in September 2018, the Collaborative is a partnership between Climate Mayors, the Electrification Coalition, and Sourcewell, a national transit fleet transition program that works with cities and other public agencies to accelerate the electrification of national ground transit fleets. The Collaborative provides technical expertise to purchasers and a program that reduces the costs and barriers to electrifying fleets.

Contacts:

Carey Hickox (Climate Mayors): chickox@bpimedia.com

Ben Prochazka (Electrification Coalition): bprochazka@electrificationcoalition.org

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About Climate Mayors

Climate Mayors, founded in 2014, is a diverse network of U.S. city leaders who have committed to fighting climate change. In response to the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the network’s ranks swelled to more than 400 U.S. mayors from across the country who have committed to taking ambitious action to meet each of their cities’ current climate goals, while working together towards achieving our national Paris targets. Climate Mayors is founded and Chaired by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Co-Chaired by Mayors Madeline Rogero (Knoxville), Sylvester Turner (Houston) and Marty Walsh (Boston).

About the Electrification Coalition

The Electrification Coalition (EC) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, environmental and national security dangers caused by our nation’s dependence on oil. The EC works through several approaches to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles including consumer education, fleet electrification, public-private partnerships, comprehensive EV accelerator communities, policy advocacy, and innovative program development. Since 2008, the EC has been developing leading best practices to help cities, states, and the private sector influence the adoption of EVs by consumers and fleets.

About Sourcewell

Sourcewell is a self-supporting government organization, partnering with education and government agencies throughout North America. They offer a cooperative purchasing program with over 300 awarded vendors on contract. On behalf of their 50,000 members, Sourcewell conducts competitive solicitations, awarding to the most responsive and responsible vendors. The result of this cooperative effort is a high-quality selection of nationally leveraged, competitively solicited contract solutions to help create efficiencies and meet the ever-challenging needs of current and future member agencies.

[1] https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_emissions_sources.html

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Climate Mayors Statement in Support of Strong Auto Efficiency Standards

Climate Mayors responds to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s April 2, 2018 announcement of proposed weakening of corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards

As mayors representing 69 million Americans, across 47 states (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), with millions of vehicles on our roads, we strongly support the current federal standards on vehicle fuel efficiency and oppose the Trump Administration’s efforts to roll back this important policy.  Today’s announcement leaves the health of American families hanging in the balance while creating uncertainty in the automotive market. The standards adopted by the US EPA in 2011 are saving American drivers money at the gas pump, keeping the country competitive in a sector trending toward zero emissions innovation, and cleaning up the air we all breathe.

As mayors, we are bound by our common commitment to lead in the fight against climate change. Last year 30 Climate Mayors released a joint Electric Vehicle Request for Information (EV RFI) proving to car companies that if they build zero emissions vehicles, we will buy them. These first 30 cities put forward a combined 114,000 vehicles representing $10 billion in industry value. We want these vehicles because they save us money, offer new technologies and services, and protect local communities from harmful air pollution.

We will continue our efforts to hasten the transition to more efficient and zero emissions vehicles. We had long viewed the federal government as a partner on clean cars, but we won’t let it take us backwards.

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Climate Mayors Submit Comments on Proposed Repeal of Clean Power Plan

244 U.S. Mayors from 48 states and territories, representing over 52 million Americans, strongly oppose EPA’s proposed repeal of Clean Power Plan

In a comment letter re-submitted today to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 244 mayors from 48 states and territories voice opposition to efforts by the Trump administration and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, as it would have devastating health and economic impacts on their communities, including exposing Americans to increased air pollution, worsening climate change, and more extreme weather events.  This comment letter was originally submitted to US EPA on February 20, 2018, with 233 signatories. Additional mayors wishing to add their support to this comment letter should email: info@climate-mayors.org to be included.

 March 27, 2018

By electronic mail (a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov) and first-class mail Administrator Scott Pruitt Environmental Protection Agency EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) Mail Code 28221T Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-03551200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 Administrator Pruitt: As mayors from 244 U.S. cities, we submit this letter of comment to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, Repeal of Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units. Collectively, we represent over 52 million residents, in 48 states & territories across the country. We strongly oppose the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, which would put our citizens at risk and harm our efforts to address the urgent threat of climate change. Climate Change is Global but Impacts are Felt Locally Communities across the country are experiencing the effects of climate change today: sea level rise; hotter, longer, and more frequent heat waves; increased extreme weather; and many other harmful impacts. There is broad agreement that the future economic costs of climate change should not be overlooked. On our current path, the annual cost of coastal storm damage is expected to climb to as high as $35 billion by the 2030s; coastal property valued at $66 to $106 billion will likely be underwater by 2050. No one is insulated from the impacts of climate change – people in cities of all sizes, along with suburban and rural communities are all at risk. Residents of our communities have experienced harmful impacts of climate change such as dirtier air, increased heat-related illnesses and deaths, damaged and disappearing coastlines, longer droughts and other strains on water quantity and quality, and increasingly frequent and severe storms and wildfires. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to protect our citizens against the worst impacts of climate change. A peer-reviewed study conducted by EPA projected stark differences between a world in the year 2100 where global warming averages 2 degrees Celsius—a goal for which the Clean Power Plan is critical—and one in which global warming averages 4 degrees Celsius: 57,000 fewer domestic deaths per year due to poor air quality; 12,000 fewer domestic deaths per year from extreme heat and cold in 49 U.S. cities; up to $6.4 billion in avoided annual adaptation costs from severe precipitation in 50 U.S. cities; $3.1 billion in avoided annual damages and adaptation costs from sea level rise and storm surge on the coasts; and up to $2.5 billion in avoided damages from inland flooding. Repealing the Clean Power Plan Would Slow Local Efforts to Address Climate Change. Not only are climate change impacts felt locally — our communities are also where climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts are being implemented. Urban, suburban, and rural communities across the country are reducing their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions by investing in energy efficiency, committing to the use of clean energy resources, and reducing reliance on fossil-fueled energy sources—efforts that protect against climate change, and also support clean air and a vibrant clean energy economy. But the legal authority of cities and other municipalities generally extends only as far as their state governments and federal law allow, and as a result, our local efforts to address climate change are highly sensitive to national policies like the Clean Power Plan, which shape markets, steer state action, and have large direct impacts on nationwide emissions. We would benefit from the support and certainty that a federal framework for reducing the power sector’s greenhouse gas emissions could provide. The Clean Power Plan, by providing such a framework, would enhance ongoing local efforts and enable new local initiatives to improve public health, increase air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy innovation. We would like to reiterate a statement that more than 25 mayors delivered during the course of the Clean Power Plan development: “[W]e cannot act alone. We need the federal government to provide a path forward to making meaningful reductions in carbon pollution while preparing for the impacts of climate change.”As 244 mayors of communities across the U.S., representing over 52 million residents in 48 states & territories we strongly oppose the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, which would put our citizens at risk and undermine our efforts to prepare for and protect against the worst impacts of climate change.

Sincerely,

Mayor Peggy McQuaidAlbany, CAMayor Kathy SheehanAlbany, NYMayor Tim KellerAlbuquerque, NMMayor Ed PawlowskiAllentown PAMayor Gary GoosmanAmesville, OHMayor Sofia PereiraArcata, CAMayor Nancy KaboolianArdsley, NYMayor Esther ManheimerAsheville, NCMayor Steve SkadronAspen, COMayor Keisha Lance BottomsAtlanta, GAMayor Steve AdlerAustin, TXMayor Catherine E. PughBaltimore, MDMayor Kelli LinvilleBellingham, WAMayor Jesse ArreguinBerkeley, CAMayor Robert J. DonchezBethlehem, PAMayor Michael P. CahillBeverly, MAMayor Lili BosseBeverly Hills, CAMayor Randall WoodfinBirmingham, ALMayor Leslie Hager-SmithBlacksburg, VAMayor David H. BieterBoise, IDMayor Martin J. WalshBoston, MAMayor Suzanne JonesBoulder, COMayor Eric MamulaBreckenridge, COMayor Joseph P. GanimBridgeport, CTMayor W. Clarke ConwayBrisbane, CAMayor Brenda J. HessBuchanan, MIMayor Byron W. BrownBuffalo, NYMayor Miro WeinbergerBurlington, VTMayor Edwin García FelicianoCamuy, PRMayor Robert J. Moffatt, VMDCape May Point, NJMayor Jim BrainardCarmel, INMayor Lydia E. LavelleCarrboro, NCMayor Mike WebbCarver, MNMayor Pam HemmingerChapel Hill, NCMayor John TecklenburgCharleston, SCMayor Scott RogersCharles Town, WVMayor Andy BerkeChattanooga, TNMayor Chuck CahnCherry Hill, NJMayor Rahm EmanuelChicago, ILMayor Mary Casillas SalasChula Vista, CAMayor John CranleyCincinnati, OHMayor Ted TerryClarkston, GAMayor Frank G. JacksonCleveland, OHMayor Patrick WojahnCollege Park, MDMayor Brian TreeceColumbia, MOMayor Steve BenjaminColumbia, SCMayor Jeff KatzCooperstown, NYMayor Raul Valdes-FauliCoral Gables, FLMayor Carla CondonCorte Madera, CAMayor Brian TobinCortland, NYMayor Biff TraberCorvallis, ORMayor Mark LandmanCotati, CAMayor Roger W. FosterCrete, NEMayor Darcy PaulCupertino, CAMayor Mike RawlingsDallas, TXMayor Juslyn ManaloDaly City, CAMayor Robb DavisDavis, CAMayor Cary GlicksteinDelray Beach, FLMayor Michael B. HancockDenver, COMayor Josh MaxwellDowningtown, PAMayor David HaubertDublin, CAMayor Roy D. BuolDubuque, IAMayor Emily LarsonDuluth, MNMayor Stephen M. SchewelDurham, NCMayor Brad CohenEast Brunswick Township, NJMayor Mark S. MeadowsEast Lansing, MIMayor Nancy Tyra-LukensEden Prairie, MNMayor James HovlandEdina, MNMayor Dave EarlingEdmonds, WAMayor David KaptainElgin, ILMayor John J. BautersEmeryville, CAMayor Lucy VinisEugene, ORMayor Stephen H. HagertyEvanston, ILMayor Karl W. KasselFairbanks North Star Borough, AKMayor Ed MalloyFairfield, IAMayor Peter LindstromFalcon Heights, MNMayor David TarterFalls Church, VAMayor Colleen MahrFanwood, NJMayor Lioneld JordanFayetteville, ARMayor David CoulterFerndale, MIMayor Lindy PetersFort Bragg, CAMayor Wade TroxellFort Collins, CO

Mayor John P. “Jack” SeilerFort Lauderdale, FLMayor Thomas C. HenryFort Wayne, INMayor Bob ScottFranklin, NCMayor Lily MeiFremont, CAMayor Gary WilkinsonFrisco, COMayor Lauren B. PoeGainesville, FLMayor J Kachen KimmellGambier, OhioMayor Karen Freeman-WilsonGary, INMayor Tammy StempelGladstone, ORMayor Bruce J PackerGlen Rock, NJMayor Marjorie SloanGolden, COMayor Paula PerotteGoleta, CAMayor Rosalynn BlissGrand Rapids, MIMayor Emmett V. JordanGreenbelt, MDMayor Peter SwiderskiHastings-on-Hudson, NYMayor Harry KimCounty of Hawai’i, HIMayor Barbara HallidayHayward, CAMayor Nancy RoteringHighland Park, ILMayor Gayle Brill MittlerHighland Park, NJMayor Ravinder S. BhallaHoboken, NJMayor Josh LevyHollywood, FLMayor Alex MorseHolyoke, MAMayor Kirk CaldwellHonolulu, HIMayor Paul BlackburnHood River, ORMayor Sylvester TurnerHouston, TXMayor Candace B. HollingsworthHyattsville, MDMayor Serge DedinaImperial Beach, CAMayor Jim ThrogmortonIowa City, IAMayor Svante MyrickIthaca, NYMayor Pete MuldoonJackson, WYMayor Sly JamesKansas City, MOMayor Bernard P. Carvalho JrKauai, HIMayor John AntaramianKenosha, WIMayor Steve NobleKingston, NYMayor Madeline RogeroKnoxville, TNMayor Tim KabatLa Crosse, WIMayor Christine BergLafayette, COMayor Robert BlaisLake George Village, NYMayor Adam PaulLakewood, COMayor Danene SoraceLancaster, PAMayor William J SpragueLapeer, MIMayor Ken MiyagishimaLas Cruces NMMayor Craig A. MoeLaurel, MDMayor Stuart BoleyLawrence, KSMayor Theodore BeckerLewes, DEMayor Robert GarciaLong Beach, CAMayor Adam SchneiderLong Branch, NJMayor Eric GarcettiLos Angeles, CAMayor Greg FischerLouisville, KYMayor Paul SoglinMadison, WIMayor Joyce CraigManchester, NHMayor Amy HoworthManhattan Beach, CAMayor Barry J. GreenbergMaplewood, MOMayor Alan M. ArakawaMaui, HIMayor Stephanie M. BurkeMedford, MAMayor Jim StricklandMemphis, TNMayor Dan GelberMiami Beach, FLMayor Gurdip Brar, Ph.D.Middleton, WIMayor Daniel T. DrewMiddletown, CTMayor Sean StrubMilford, PAMayor Jeff SilvestriniMillcreek, UTMayor Tom BarrettMilwaukee, WIMayor Jacob FreyMinneapolis, MNMayor John EngenMissoula, MTMayor Mary O’ConnorMonona, WIMayor Jamie IronsMorro Bay, CAMayor Arlene BurnsMosier, ORMayor Lenny SiegelMountain View, CAMayor Frederick T. CourtrightMount Pocono, PAMayor Jill TechelNapa, CAMayor Megan BarryNashville, TNMayor Kristopher LarsenNederland, COMayor Jon MitchellNew Bedford, MAMayor Donna D. HoladayNewburyport, MAMayor Toni N. HarpNew Haven, CTMayor Mitchell J. LandrieuNew Orleans, LATown Supervisor Neil BettezNew Paltz, NYMayor Bill de BlasioNew York City, NYMayor Paul A. DysterNiagara Falls, NYMayor Lynne MillerNorman, OKMayor David J. NarkewiczNorthampton, MAMayor Smith Joseph D.O., Pharm.D.North Miami, FL  

Mayor Don HammondNyack, New YorkMayor Libby SchaafOakland, CAMayor Johnny JohnstonOjai, CAMayor Cheryl SelbyOlympia, WAMayor Buddy DyerOrlando, FLMayor Victoria GearityOssining, NYMayor Andy BeermanPark City, UTMayor Donald R. GrebienPawtucket, RIMayor Frank C. OrtisPembroke Pines, FLMayor Jim KenneyPhiladelphia, PAMayor Cindy PerryPittsboro, NCMayor Jeremy JohnsonPittsburg, KSMayor William PedutoPittsburgh, PAMayor Kurt R. MetzgerPleasant Ridge, MIMayor Ethan StrimlingPortland, MEMayor Ted WheelerPortland, ORMayor Deborah StinsonPort Townsend, WAMayor Jorge O. ElorzaProvidence, RIMayor Paul KuhnsRehoboth Beach, DEMayor Hillary SchieveReno, NVMayor Tom ButtRichmond, CAMayor Levar M. StoneyRichmond, VAMayor Lovely WarrenRochester, NYMayor Darrell SteinbergSacramento, CAMayor Jacob DaySalisbury, MDMayor Jackie BiskupskiSalt Lake City, UT

Mayor Ron NirenbergSan Antonio, TXMayor Kevin FaulconerSan Diego, CAMayor Mark FarrellSan Francisco, CAMayor Sam LiccardoSan José, CAMayor Pauline Russo CutterSan Leandro, CAMayor Heidi HarmonSan Luis Obispo, CAMayor Rick BonillaSan Mateo, CAMayor David J. TerrazasSanta Cruz, CAMayor Javier M. GonzalesSanta Fe, NMMayor Ted WintererSanta Monica, CAMayor Shelli Freeland EddieSarasota, FLMayor Chris LainSavanna, ILMayor Jenny DurkanSeattle, WAMayor Michael GonnelliSecaucus, NJMayor George Van DusenSkokie, ILMayor Ken WraySleepy Hollow, NYMayor Scott SaundersSmithville, TXMayor Matthew R. LarsonSnoqualmie, WAMayor Jeffrey SlavinSomerset, MDMayor Dana S. HilliardSomersworth, NHMayor Joseph A. CurtatoneSomerville, MAMayor Pete ButtigiegSouth Bend, INMayor Philip StoddardSouth Miami, FLMayor Sheena C. CollumSouth Orange Village, NJMayor Domenic J. SarnoSpringfield, MAMayor David MartinStamford, CTMayor Donald M. HahnState College, PAMayor Lyda KrewsonSt. Louis, MOMayor Michael TubbsStockton, CAMayor Melvin CarterSt. Paul, MNMayor Glenn HendricksSunnyvale, CAMayor Daniel DietchSurfside, FLMayor Tim KearneySwarthmore, PAMayor Thomas FrommSwedesboro, NJMayor Kate StewartTakoma Park, MDMayor Drew FixellTarrytown, NYMayor Sean MurphyTelluride, COMayor Jim CarruthersTraverse City, MIMayor Jonathan RothschildTucson, AZMayor Brian P. StackUnion City, NJMayor Shelley WelschUniversity City, MOMayor Dave ChapinVail, COMayor Kevin J. RyanVerona, NJMayor Muriel BowserWashington, DCMayor Lowell HurstWatsonville, CAMayor John HeilmanWest Hollywood, CAMayor John DennisWest Lafayette, INMayor Daniel J. StermerWeston, FLMayor Jeri MuoioWest Palm Beach, FLMayor Christopher CabaldonWest Sacramento, CAMayor Daniel CoronaWest Wendover, NVMayor Bud StarkerWheat Ridge, COMayor Thomas RoachWhite Plains, NYMayor Mike SpanoYonkers, NYMayor Amanda Marie EdmondsYpsilanti, MI

The comment letter was originally released on February 20, 2018 (5:00am PST) with 233 signatories. Updated signatories as of 11:00 am PST on March 27, 2018. Mayors wishing to add their support to this comment letter should email: info@climate-mayors.org before the closing of the EPA Comment Period on April 26, 2018.

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279 Climate Mayors across the United States now committed to adopting the Paris agreement goals in their cities

LOS ANGELES — In the week following the President's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, 279 Climate Mayors — a group Mayor Garcetti helped establish in 2014 — have pledged to support the goals of the agreement in their cities. When the President announced the withdrawal on June 1, 61 Climate Mayors expressed their support for the agreement. One week later, the number of Climate Mayors has more than quadrupled, now representing nearly one in five Americans.

Mayor Garcetti and the Climate Mayors have strongly opposed the Administration’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement, committing to uphold its standards in their own cities. “Last week, mayors from both Democratic and Republican cities across America united to say ‘Enough’ — we will not allow inaction at the highest level to jeopardize the future of our world,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Now, mayors from every part of our nation are joining the call to action, uniting to continue the fight against climate change in our cities.”

The Climate Mayors now include nine of the 10 largest cities in America — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose — along with hundreds of additional cities, large and small, from Boston to Knoxville to Miami, across red and blue states. In total, the 279 Climate Mayors now represent 59 million Americans from 42 states.

“This is a top priority for the people of Boston and for all Americans,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “We witness the impacts of climate change every day — extreme heat, flooding, and worsening health issues. It's our duty to act, and I'm proud to stand among the increasing number of Climate Mayors fighting for our residents.”

"We believe that Miami is the epicenter for climate change and sea level rise,” said Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. “Now more than ever, we are resolute and will vigorously pursue our commitment to this cause. This is not just about the present, but for future generations."

“Protecting the climate doesn’t mean choosing between our environment and economy,” said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. “As demonstrated in Knoxville, we can enhance both while improving our community. Despite the president's stance, we will continue to advance our local values by upholding the principles and commitments of the Paris Agreement."

In Los Angeles, Mayor Garcetti has spearheaded efforts to make the city the most sustainable in America. In April 2015, he introduced the city’s first Sustainable City pLAn, a comprehensive roadmap with measurable long-term goals for conserving water, creating green jobs, expanding electric vehicle use, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The city is on track to meet 90% of the pLAn’s 2017 goals.

To learn more about Climate Mayors, visit www.climate-mayors.org or engage with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Medium. Mayor Garcetti co-founded the Climate Mayors (also known as the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, or MNCAA), a network of 289 U.S. cities representing over 62 million Americans, collaborating to enhance local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advocate for binding federal and global policies. Earlier this year, Mayor Garcetti led the release of an EV RFI with 30 MNCAA cities to showcase potential demand for over 114,000 electric vehicles, trucks, and equipment for cities. Additionally, Mayor Garcetti serves as Vice Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, an international network of megacities working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and has signed the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

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In The News In The News

Bloomberg City Lab: Can Cities Actually Meet the Paris Commitments on Their Own?

Think of the Paris climate accord as a delicate scale. Every nation works to meet carefully co-determined carbon cuts, holding one another accountable towards the utterly un-simple goal of limiting catastrophic global warming. By withdrawing the U.S., President Trump has lifted a critical weight from one end of this scale. How and whether it can right itself is an open question.

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468 US Climate Mayors commit to adopt, honor and uphold Paris Climate Agreement goals

STATEMENT FROM THE CLIMATE MAYORS IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

The President’s denial of global warming is getting a cold reception from America’s cities. As 466 US Mayors representing 74 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st-century clean energy economy. We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks. The world cannot wait — and neither will we.

Signed,

Mayor Trish Herrera, Spencer City of Alameda, CA / Mayor Peggy McQuaid, City of Albany, CA / Mayor Sharon Konopa, City of Albany, OR / Mayor Kathy Sheehan, City of Albany, NY / Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque, NM / Mayor Justin Wilson, City of Alexandria, VA / Mayor Ray O’Connell, City of Allentown, PA / Mayor Jeanne Sorg, City of Ambler, PA / Mayor Gary Goosman, City of Amesville, OH / Mayor Gavin Buckley, City of Annapolis, MD / Mayor Terence Roberts, City of Anderson, SC / Mayor Christopher Taylor, City of Ann Arbor, MI / Mayor Van W. Johnson, City of Apalachicola, FL / Mayor Michael Winkler, City of Arcata, CA / Mayor Nancy Kaboolian, City of Ardsley, NY / Mayor Jose Gurrola, Jr., City of Arvin, CA / Mayor Esther Manheimer, City of Asheville, NC / Mayor Torre, City of Aspen, CO / Mayor Steve Patterson, City of Athens, OH / Mayor Keisha Bottoms, City of Atlanta, GA / Mayor Steve Adler, City of Austin, TX / Mayor Bernard Young, City of Baltimore, MD / Mayor Gordon Ringberg, City of Bayfield, WI / Mayor Lee Kyriacou, Beacon, NY / Mayor Denny Dole, City of Beaverton, OR / Mayor Ned Burns, City of Bellevue, ID / Mayor Kelli Linville, City of Bellingham, WA / Mayor Charles Stone, City of Belmont, CA / Mayor Jesse Arreguin, City of Berkeley, CA / Mayor Robert Donchez, City of Bethlehem, PA / Mayor Michael P. Cahill, City of Beverly, MA / Mayor Lili Bosse, City of Beverly Hills, CA / Mayor Ben Kessler, City of Bexley, OH / Mayor Richard David, City of Binghamton, NY / Mayor Randall Woodfin, City of Birmingham, AL / Mayor David Smith, City of Bisbee, AZ / Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, City of Blacksburg, VA / Mayor Tari Ranner, City of Bloomington, IL / Mayor John Hamilton, City of Bloomington, IN / Mayor Gene Winstead, City of Bloomington, MN / Mayor Lauren McLean, City of Boise, ID / Mayor Martin J Walsh, City of Boston, MA / Mayor Sam Weaver, City of Boulder, CO / Mayor Tim Adams, City of Bowie, MD / Mayor Steven Grant, City of Boynton Beach, FL / Mayor Chris Mehl, City of Bozeman, MT / Mayor Eric Mamula, City of Breckenridge, CO / Mayor Joseph Ganim, City of Bridgeport, CT / Mayor William Moehle, City of Brighton, NY / Mayor Terry O’Connell, City of Brisbane, CA / Mayor Patricia Moore, City of Buchanan, MI / Mayor Byron Brown, City of Buffalo, NY / Mayor Emily Beach, City of Burlingame, CA / Mayor Miro Weinberger, City of Burlington, VT / Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, City of Burnsville, MN / Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, City of Cambridge, MA / Mayor Edwin Garcia, City of Camuy, PR / Mayor Robert Hoog, City of Cape Canaveral, FL / Mayor Robert Moffatt, City of Cape May Point, NJ / Mayor Jim Brainard, City of Carmel, IN / Mayor Lydia Lavelle, City of Carrboro, NC / Mayor Albert Robles, City of Carson, CA / Mayor Courtney Johnson, City of Carver, MN / Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, City of Champaign, IL / Mayor Pam Hemminger, City of Chapel Hill, NC / Mayor Bob Trainor, City of Charles Town, WV / Mayor John Tecklenburg, City of Charleston, SC / Mayor Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte, NC / Mayor Mike Signer, City of Charlottesville, VA / Mayor Andy Berke, City of Chattanooga, TN / Mayor Chuck Cahn, City of Cherry Hill, NJ / Mayor Lori Lightfoot, City of Chicago, IL / Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, City of Chula Vista, CA / Mayor John Cranley, City of Cincinnati, OH / Mayor Larry Schroeder, City of Claremont, CA / Mayor Charlene Lovett, City of Claremont, NH / Mayor Ted Terry, City of Clarkston, GA / Mayor George Cretekos, City of Clearwater, FL / Mayor Frank Jackson, City of Cleveland, OH / Mayor Louis Sarbone, City of Coconut Creek, FL / Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn, College Park, MD / Mayor Brian Treece, City of Columbia, MO / Mayor Stephen Benjamin, City of Columbia, SC / Mayor Andrew Ginther, City of Columbus, OH / Mayor Jim Bouley, City of Concord, NH / Mayor Yaniv Aronson, City of Conshohocken, PA / Mayor Ellen Tilapaugh, City of Cooperstown, NY / Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, City of Coral Gables, FL / Mayor James Andrews, City of Corte Madera, CA / Mayor Brian Tobin, City of Cortland, NY / Mayor Biff Traber, City of Corvallis, OR / Mayor John Moore, City of Cotati, CA / Mayor Dave Bauer, City of Crete, NE / Mayor Thomas Moore, Culver City, CA / Mayor Steven Scharf, City of Cupertino, CA / Mayor Tim Meerbott, City of Cutler Bay, FL / Mayor Eric Johnson, City of Dallas, TX / Mayor Ray Buenaventura, Daly City, CA / Mayor Brett Lee, City of Davis, CA / Mayor Nan Whaley, City of Dayton, OH / Mayor Jerry Smith, City of DeKalb, IL / Mayor Shelly Petrolia, City of Delray Beach, FL / Mayor Michael Hancock, City of Denver, CO / Mayor Franklin Cownie, City of Des Moines, IA / Mayor Mike Duggan, City of Detroit, MI / Mayor Vincnet Rossillo, Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY / Mayor Robert Carrier, City of Dover, NH / Mayor Josh Maxwell, City of Downingtown, PA / Mayor David Haubert, City of Dublin, CA / Mayor Roy D Buol, City of Dubuque, IA / Mayor Emily Larson, City of Duluth, MN / Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski, Town of Dunedin, FL / Mayor Jason Cilento, City of Dunellen, NJ / Mayor Edmond P. Minihan, City of Dunn, WI / Mayor Nickole Nesby, City of Duquesne, PA / Mayor Steve Schewel, City of Durham, NC / Mayor Brad Cohen, City of East Brunswick, NJ / Mayor Mark Meadows, City of East Lansing, MI / Mayor Ron Case, City of Eden Prairie, MN / Mayor Laura Keegan, City of Edgewater, CO / Mayor Jim Hovland, City of Edina, MN / Mayor Dave Earling, City of Edmonds, WA / Mayor Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto, City of El Cerrito, CA / Mayor André Quintero, City of El Monte, CA / Mayor Jeff Walter, City of Elburn, IL / Mayor David Kaptain, City of Elgin, IL / Mayor Christian Patz, City of Emeryville, CA / Mayor Catherine Blakespear, City of Encinitas, CA / Mayor Michael Wildes, City of Englewood, NJ / Mayor Joe Schember, City of Erie, PA / Mayor Lucy Vinis, City of Eugene, OR / Mayor Stephen Hagerty, City of Evanston, IL / Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, City of Evansville, IN / Mayor Cassie Franklin, City of Everett, WA / Mayor Bryce Ward, City of Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK / Mayor David Meyer, City of Fairfax, VA / Mayor Edward Malloy, City of Fairfield, IA / Mayor Randy Gustafson, City of Falcon Heights, MN / Mayor David Tarter, City of Falls Church, VA / Mayor Colleen Mahr, City of Fanwood, NJ / Mayor Lioneld Jordan, City of Fayetteville, AR / Mayor Melanie Piana, City of Ferndale, MI / Mayor Coral Evans, City of Flagstaff, AZ / Mayor Sheldon Neeley, City of Flint, MI / Mayor Lindy Peters, City of Fort Bragg, CA / Mayor Wade Troxell, City of Fort Collins, CO / Mayor Dean Trantalis, City of Fort Lauderdale, FL / Mayor Tom Henry, City of Fort Wayne, IN / Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer, City of Framingham, MA / Mayor Bob Scott, City of Franklin, NC / Mayor Lily Mei, City of Fremont, CA / Mayor Gary Wilkinson, City of Frisco, CO / Mayor Lauren Poe, City of Gainesville, FL / Mayor Leeman Kessler, City of Gambier, OH / Mayor Sara Todisco, City of Garwood, NJ / Mayor Jerome Prince, City of Gary, IN / Mayor Tammy Stempel, City of Gladstone, OR / Mayor Bruce Packer, City of Glen Rock, NJ / Mayor Bryan Kennedy, City of Glendale, WI / Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, City of Glendale, CA / Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, City of Gloucester, MA / Mayor Laura Weinberg, City of Golden, CO / Mayor Paula Perotte, City of Goleta, CA / Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, City of Grand Rapids, MI / Mayor Emmett Jordan, City of Greenbelt, MD / Mayor Nancy Vaughan, City of Greensboro, NC / Mayor Knox White, City of Greenville, SC / Mayor Karylinn Echols, City of Gresham, OR / Mayor Samuel Henderson, City of Gulfport, FL / Mayor Harvey Rarback, City of Half Moon Bay, CA / Mayor Joy Cooper, City of Hallandale Beach, FL / Mayor Curt Leng, City of Hamden, CT / Mayor Karen Majewski, City of Hamtramck, MI / Mayor Luke Bronin, City of Hartford, CT / Mayor Nicola Armacost, City of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY / Mayor Harry Kim, City of Hawai’i , HI / Mayor Barbara Halliday, City of Hayward, CA / Mayor Shaun McCaffery, City of Healdsburg, CA / Mayor Kevin Smith, City of Helena-West Helena, AR / Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler, City of Highland Park, NJ / Mayor Nancy Rotering, City of Highland Park, IL / Mayor Patrick Taylor, City of Highlands, NC / Mayor Tom Stevens, City of Hillsborough, NC / Mayor Ravinder Bhalla, City of Hoboken, NJ / Mayor William McCleod, City of Hoffman Estates, IL / Mayor Josh Levy, City of Hollywood, FL / Mayor Alex Morse, City of Holyoke, MA / Mayor Kirk Caldwell, City of Honolulu, HI / Mayor Paul Blackburn, City of Hood River, OR / Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, TX / Mayor Rick Rector, City of Hudson, NY / Mayor Bob Paul, City of Huntington Woods, MI / Mayor Rey LeonCity of Huron, CA / Mayor Candace Hollingsworth, City of Hyattsville, MD / Mayor Serge Dedina, City of Imperial Beach, CA / Mayor Joseph Hogsett, City of Indianapolis, IN / Mayor Jim Throgmorton, City of Iowa City, IA / Mayor Brian C. Smith, City of Irvington, NY / Mayor Svante Myrick, City of Ithaca, NY / Mayor Derek Dobies, City of Jackson, MI / Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, City of Jackson, MS / Mayor Pete Muldoon, City of Jackson, WY / Mayor Steven Fulop, City of Jersey City, NJ / Mayor David Anderson, City of Kalamazoo, MI / Mayor Quinton Lucas, City of Kansas City, MO / Mayor Derek Kawakami, City of Kauai, HI / Mayor Kendall Lane, City of Keene, NH / Mayor John Antaramian, City of Kenosha, WI / Mayor Neil Bradshaw, City of Ketchum, ID / Mayor Steven Noble, City of Kingston, NY / Mayor Penny Sweet, City of Kirkland, WA / Mayor Jose Alvarez, City of Kissimmee, FL / Mayor Indya Kincannon, City of Knoxville, TN / Mayor Andrew Hosmer, City of Laconia, NH / Mayor Tim Kabat, City of La Crosse, WI / Mayor Alexandra Lynch, City of Lafayette, CO / Mayor Cynthia Conners, City of Laguna Woods, CA / Mayor Michael Summers, City of Lakewood, OH / Mayor Adam Paul, City of Lakewood, CO / Mayor Danene Sorace, City of Lancaster, PA / Mayor Jason Resseman, City of Lanesboro, MN / Mayor Andy Schor, City of Lansing, MI / Mayor William Sprague, City of Lapeer, MI / Mayor Ken Miyagishima, City of Las Cruces, NM / Mayor Richard J Kaplan, City of Lauderhill, FL / Mayor Craig Moe, City of Laurel, MD / Mayor Lisa Larsen, City of Lawrence, KS / Mayor Timothy McNamara, City of Lebanon, NH / Mayor Theodore W Becker, City of Lewes, DE / Mayor Mark Stodola, City of Little Rock, AR / Mayor Robert Garcia, City of Long Beach, CA / Mayor John Pallone, City of Long Branch, NJ / Mayor Brian Bagley, City of Longmont, CO / Mayor Lynette Eng, City of Los Altos, CA / Mayor Roger Spreen, City of Los Altos Hills, CA / Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles, CA / Mayor Marcia Jensen, City of Los Gatos, CA / Mayor Greg Fischer, City of Louisville, KY / Mayor Nicola Smith, City of Lynnwood, WA / Mayor Robert Reichert, City of Macon-Bibb County, GA / Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, City of Madison, WI / Mayor Gary Christenson, City of Malden, MA / Mayor Karen Farrer, City of Malibu, CA / Mayor Joyce Craig, City of Manchester, NH / Mayor Richard Montgomery, City of Manhattan Beach, CA / Mayor Jen Jaray, City of Manitou Springs, CO / Mayor Dr. Larry Wallace, Jr., City of Manor, TX / Mayor Marylee Abrams, City of Maplewood, MN / Mayor Barry Greenberg, City of Maplewood, MO / Mayor Rich Parete, City of Marbletown, NY / Mayor Jonathan Hornik, City of Marlboro, NJ / Mayor Rob Schroder, City of Martinez, CA / Mayor Michael Victorino, City of Maui, HI / Mayor Stephanie M Burke, City of Medford, MA / Mayor Paul Brodeur, City of Melrose, MA / Mayor Jim Strickland, City of Memphis, TN / Mayor Ray Mueller, City of Menlo Park, CA / Mayor Francis Suarez, City of Miami, FL / Mayor Dan Gelber, City of Miami Beach, FL / Mayor Gurdip Brar, City of Middleton, WI / Mayor Benjamin Florsheim, City of Middletown, CT / Mayor Sean Strub, City of Milford, PA / Mayor Benjamin G Blake, City of Milford, CT / Mayor Wayne Lee, City of Millbrae, CA / Mayor Jeff Silvestrini, City of Millcreek, UT / Mayor Tom Barrett, City of Milwaukee, WI / Mayor Mark Gamba, City of Milwaukie, OR / Mayor Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis, MN / Mayor Wayne Messam, City of Miramar, FL / Mayor John Engen, City of Missoula, MT / Mayor Emily Niehaus, Moab, UT/ Mayor Mary O’Connor, City of Monona, WI / Mayor Matt Brolley, City of Montgomery, IL / Mayor Anne Watson, City of Montpelier, VT / Mayor Miles Atkins, City of Mooresville, NC / Mayor Bill Kawecki, City of Morgantown, WV / Mayor Timothy Dougherty, City of Morristown, NJ / Mayor John Headding, City of Morro Bay, CA / Mayor Arlene Burns, City of Mosier, OR / Mayor Michael Penn, City of Mount Pocono, PA / Mayor Lisa Matichak, City of Mountain View, CA / Mayor Jennifer Gregerson, City of Mukilteo, WA / Mayor Jill Techel, City of Napa, CA / Mayor Jim Donchess, City of Nashua, NH / Mayor John Cooper, City of Nashville, TN / Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, City of National City, CA / Mayor Kristopher Larsen, City of Nederland, CO / Mayor Jerry Clifton, City of Newark, DE / Mayor Jon Mitchell, City of New Bedford, MA / Mayor Justin Elicker, City of New Haven, CT / Mayor LaToya Cantrell, City of New Orleans, LA / Mayor Tim Rogers, City of New Paltz, NY / Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City, NY / Mayor Ras Baraka, City of Newark, NJ / Mayor Donna Holaday, City of Newburyport, MA / Mayor McKinley Price, City of Newport News, VA / Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, City of Newton, MA / Mayor Paul Dyster, City of Niagara Falls, NY / Mayor Chris Koos, City of Normal, IL / Mayor Breea Clark, City of Norman, OK / Mayor Brent Latham, City of North Bay Village, FL / Mayor Francis M Womack, City of North Brunswick, NJ / Mayor Meredith Leighty, City of Northglenn, CO / Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, City of North Miami, FL / Mayor David J Narkewicz, City of Northampton, MA / Mayor Don Hammond, City of Nyack, NY / Mayor Libby Schaaf, City of Oakland, CA / Mayor Johnny Johnston, City of Ojai, CA / Mayor Cheryl Selby, City of Olympia, WA / Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando, FL / Mayor Victoria Gearity, City of Ossining, NY / Mayor Eric Filseth, City of Palo Alto, CA / Mayor Andy Beerman, City of Park City, UT / Mayor Donald Grebien, City of Pawtucket, RI / Mayor Frank C. Ortis, City of Pembroke Pines, FL / Mayor Teresa Barrett, City of Petaluma, CA / Mayor Jim Kenney, City of Philadelphia, PA / Mayor Kate Gallego, City of Phoenix, AZ / Mayor Joseph M. Corradino, City of Pinecrest, FL / Mayor Cindy S Perry, City of Pittsboro, NC / Mayor Jeremy Johnson, City of Pittsburg, KS / Mayor William Peduto, City of Pittsburgh, PA / Mayor Linda Tyer, City of Pittsfield, MA / Mayor Peter Cantu, City of Plainsboro, NJ / Mayor Kurt R Metzger, City of Pleasant Ridge, MI / Mayor Rex Hardin, City of Pompano Beach, FL / Mayor Deborah Stinson, City of Port Townsend, WA / Mayor Ethan Strimling, City of Portland, ME / Mayor Ted Wheeler, City of Portland, OR / Mayor Jack Blalock, City of Portsmouth, NH / Mayor Eric Mikkelson, City of Prairie Village, KS / Mayor Liz Lempert, City of Princeton, NJ / Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, City of Providence, RI / Mayor Cory Mason, City of Racine, WI / Mayor Nancy McFarlane, City of Raleigh, NC / Mayor Donald Terry, City of Rancho Cordova, CA / Mayor John Marchione, City of Redmond, WA / Mayor Ian Bain, City of Redwood City, CA / Mayor Paul Kuhns, City of Rehoboth Beach, DE / Mayor Hillary Schieve, City of Reno, NV / Mayor Tom Butt, City of Richmond, CA / Mayor Levar Stoney, City of Richmond, VA / Mayor Kim Norton, Rochester, MN / Mayor Lovely Warren, City of Rochester, NY / Mayor Caroline McCarley, City of Rochester, NH / Mayor Bryan Barnett, City of Rochester Hills, MI / Mayor Joanne Aagaard, City of Rockaway Beach, OR / Mayor Thomas McNamara, City of Rockford, IL / Mayor Daniel Guzzi, City of Rockwood, MI / Mayor Gina Belforte, City of Rohnert Park, CA / Mayor Mike Fournier, City of Royal Oak, MI / Mayor Darrell Steinberg, City of Sacramento, CA / Mayor Geoff Ellsworth, City of Saint Helena, CA / Mayor Melvin Carter, City of Saint Paul, MN / Mayor Kim Driscoll, City of Salem, MA / Mayor Chuck Bennett, City of Salem, OR / Mayor Jacob Day, City of Salisbury, MD / Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City, UT / Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City of San Antonio, TX / Mayor Mark Olbert, City of San Carlos, CA / Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City of San Diego, CA / Mayor Joel Fajardo, City of San Fernando, CA / Mayor London Breed, City of San Francisco, CA / Mayor Sam Liccardo, City of San Jose, CA / Mayor Pauline Cutter, City of San Leandro, CA / Mayor Heidi Harmon, City of San Luis Obispo, CA / Mayor John Thomaides, City of San Marcos, TX / Mayor Diane Papan, City of San Mateo, CA / Mayor Gary Phillips, City of San Rafael, CA / Mayor Miguel Pulido, City of Santa Ana, CA / Mayor Cathy Murillo, City of Santa Barbara, CA / Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor, City of Santa Clara, CA / Mayor Justin Cummings, City of Santa Cruz, CA / Mayor Javier M. Gonzales, City of Santa Fe, NM / Mayor Kevin McKeown, City of Santa Monica, CA / Mayor Tom Schwedhelm, City of Santa Rosa, CA / Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch, City of Sarasota, FL / Mayor Meg Kelly, City of Saratoga Springs, NY / Mayor Frank P. Catino, City of Satellite Beach, FL / Mayor Chris Lain, City of Savanna, IL / Mayor Van R. Johnson, City of Savannah, GA / Mayor Jenny Durkan, City of Seattle, WA / Mayor Paige Cognetti, City of Scranton, PA / Mayor Michael J. Gonnelli, City of Secaucus, NJ / Mayor George Van Dusen, City of Skokie, IL / Mayor Ken Wray, City of Sleepy Hollow, NY / Mayor Scott A. Saunders, City of Smithville, TX / Mayor Matt Larson, City of Snoqualmie, WA / Mayor Dana Hilliard, City of Somersworth, NH / Mayor Joe Curtatone, City of Somerville, MA / Mayor Amy Harrington, City of Sonoma, CA / Mayor Pete Buttigieg, City of South Bend, INMayor Sally PhilipsCity of South Miami, FLMayor Sheena CollumCity of South Orange Village, NJMayor Claude MorganCity of South Portland, MEMayor Domenic J. SarnoCity of Springfield, MAMayor Lyda KrewsonCity of St Louis, MOMayor Jake SpanoCity of St Louis Park, MNMayor Len PaganoCity of St Peters, MO / Mayor Rick Kriseman, City of St Petersburg, FL / Mayor Bill McMurray, City of St. Joseph, MO / Mayor David Martin, City of Stamford, CT / Mayor Ronald Filippelli, City of State College, PA / Mayor Constantine Kutteh, City of Statesville, NC / Mayor Michael Tubbs, City of Stockton, CA / Mayor Larry Klein, City of Sunnyvale, CA / Mayor Michael J. Ryan, City of Sunrise, FL / Mayor Daniel E. Dietch, City of Surfside, FL / Mayor Marty Spiegel, City of Swarthmore, PA / Mayor Thomas Fromm, City of Swedesboro, NJ / Mayor Ben Walsh, City of Syracuse, NY / Mayor Victoria Woodards, City of Tacoma, WA / Mayor Kate Stewart, City of Takoma Park, MD / Mayor John Dailey, City of Tallahassee, FL / Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa, FL / Mayor Drew Fixell, City of Tarrytown, NY / Mayor DeLanie Young, City of Telluride, CO / Mayor Corey Woods, City of Tempe, AZ / Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, City of Toledo, OH / Mayor Patrick J. Furey, City of Torrance, CA / Mayor Jim Carruthers, City of Traverse City, MI / Mayor Reed Gusciora, City of Trenton, NJ / Mayor Frank Bubenik, City of Tualatin, OR / Mayor Regina Romero, City of Tucson, AZ / Mayor Brian Stack, City of Union City, NJ / Mayor Terry Crow, City of University City, MO / Mayor Diane W. Marlin, City of Urbana, IL / Mayor Dave Chapin, City of Vail, CO / Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, City of Vancouver, WA / Mayor John Holic, City of Venice, FL / Mayor Matt Levere, City of Ventura, CA / Mayor Jack McEvoy, Township of Verona, NJ / Mayor Luke Diaz, City of Verona, WI / Mayor Robert Blais, Village of Lake George, NY / Mayor Muriel Bowser, City of Washington, D.C. / Mayor Rebecca J. Garcia, City of Watsonville, CA / Mayor Sam Cunningham, City of Waukegan, IL / Mayor Dianne Herrin, City of West Chester, PA / Mayor Michelle W. Brindle, City of Westfield, NJ / Mayor Shari G. Cantor, City of West Hartford, CT / Mayor Nancy Rossi, City of West Haven, CT / Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath, City of West Hollywood, CA / Mayor John Dennis, City of West Lafayette, IN / Mayor Russ Axelrod, City of West Linn, OR / Mayor Felix E. Roque, City of West New York, NJ / Mayor Keith James, City of West Palm Beach, FL / Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, City of West Sacramento, CA / Mayor Daniel Corona, City of West Wendover, NV / Mayor William R. Wild, City of Westland, MI / Mayor Herb Atchison, City of Westminster, CO / Mayor Daniel J. Stermer, City of Weston, FL / Mayor Bud Starker, City of Wheat Ridge , CO / Mayor Thomas M. Roach, City of White Plains, NY / Mayor John Muhlfeld, City of Whitefish, MT / Mayor Ryan Reynolds, City of Whitney Point, NY / Mayor Bob Bielinski, City of Wilmette, IL / Mayor Dominic Foppoli, City of Windsor, CA / Mayor Dave Burgess, City of Windsor Heights, IA / Mayor Allen Joines, City of Winston Salem, NC / Mayor Xóchitl Rodríguez, City of Woodland, CA / Mayor Daniel Yost, City of Woodside, CA / Mayor Brian Sager, City of Woodstock, IL / Mayor Joseph M. Petty, City of Worcester, MA / Mayor Mike Spano, City of Yonkers, NY / Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, City of Youngstown, OH / Mayor Lois Richardson, City of Ypsilanti, MI

The statement was originally released on June 1, 2017 with 61 signatories.

Updated signatories as of 3:00 pm PT on November 27, 2019.

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Statements Statements

Mayor Garcetti leads ‘Climate Mayors’ to oppose U.S. withdrawal from Paris Agreement

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti today led a coalition of mayors across the United States in denouncing President Trump’s decision to walk away from the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Climate change is a fact of life that people in Los Angeles and cities around the world live with every day. It is a grave threat to our health, our environment, and our economy — and it is not debatable or negotiable,” said Mayor Garcetti. “This is an urgent challenge, and it’s much bigger than one person. With the President pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, L.A. will lead by committing to the goals of the accord — and will work closely with cities across America and the world to do the same.”

On Wednesday, Mayor Garcetti worked with Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin to have a City Council motion introduced instructing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and other City Departments, to adopt the principles of the Paris Climate Agreement as the policy of the City of Los Angeles. Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Paul Koretz and Paul Krekorian joined in the motion.

The Mayor is a co-founder of the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda (“Climate Mayors”), which today issued the following statement signed by Mayor Garcetti and 60 other mayors of cities from coast to coast:

“The President’s denial of global warming is getting a cold reception from America’s cities. As 61 Mayors representing 36 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create the 21st century clean energy economy. We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks. The world cannot wait — and neither will we.”

Mayor Garcetti is the co-founder of the Climate Mayors (also known as the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda, or MNCAA), a network of 88 U.S. cities representing more than 43 million Americans — working together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policymaking. Earlier this year, Mayor Garcetti led the release of an EV RFI with 30 MNCAA cities to demonstrate potential demand for over 114,000 electric vehicles, trucks, and equipment for cities. Mayor Garcetti is also Vice Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, an international network of the world's megacities taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and he has signed the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

In March, the Mayor released the second annual progress report on his Sustainable City pLAn, which sets Los Angeles’ greenhouse gas emission reduction targets at 45% below 1990 levels by 2025, 65% by 2035, and 80% by 2050. Of the pLAn’s 2017 goals, over 90 percent are on track to be completed this year.

  • Creating more than 20,000 green jobs while reducing the gap between the City and County’s unemployment rates, demonstrating that sustainability and prosperity go hand-in-hand.

  • Achieving a record 20 percent reduction in water use per capita, making L.A. the most water efficient big city in America — since 2014, L.A. has reduced enough water to fill over 90,000 Olympic swimming pools.

  • Installing enough solar in the last year to power over 12,000 homes, and leading American cities with more than 230MW of total installed solar power.

  • Adopting the most ambitious and comprehensive energy and water efficiency law for existing buildings of any U.S. city.

  • More than 80 percent of all City fleet procurements in the current budget year are electric vehicles — far exceeding the 2017 target of 50 percent, and giving L.A. the nation’s largest pure battery electric vehicle municipal fleet, as well as the largest electric vehicle police fleet.

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Letters Letters

Climate Mayors Letter to President Trump on Roll Back of U.S. Climate Actions

March 28, 2017

Dear President Trump,

As members of the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA), we represent more than 42 million Americans in 75 cities across our nation — in red and blue states alike. We write to strongly object to your actions to roll back critically important U.S. climate policies including the Clean Power Plan and vehicle fuel efficiency standards, as well as proposed budget cuts to the EPA and critical federal programs like Energy Star.

Climate change is both the greatest single threat we face, and our greatest economic opportunity for our nation. That is why we affirm our cities’ commitments to taking every action possible to achieve the principles and goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and to engage states, businesses and other sectors to join us.

As Mayors, we work with our constituents face-to-face, every day, and they demand that we act on climate to improve quality of life and create economic growth. As public servants and stewards of public funds and infrastructure, we also cannot ignore the costs of inaction.

That is why we are also standing up for our constituents and all Americans harmed by climate change, including those most vulnerable among us: coastal residents confronting erosion and sea level rise; young and old alike suffering from worsening air pollution and at risk during heatwaves; mountain residents engulfed by wildfires; farmers struggling at harvest time due to drought; and communities across our nation challenged by extreme weather.

Climate action is also an investment in our economy and job creation — electric vehicles, solar power, energy efficiency and battery storage are all avenues to restoring our nation’s manufacturing base and create good, middle class jobs. Recently, thirty MNCAA cities demonstrated how we can accelerate markets and drive economic growth by issuing a formal Request for Information for the potential acquisition of nearly 115,000 electric vehicles for our municipal fleets.

The private sector recognizes the opportunities of climate action as well. Goldman Sachs is committing $150 billion to clean energy capital. Companies like Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and Google are some of the largest purchasers of solar and renewable energy. Today, one in fifty American jobs is now in the solar sector, surpassing employment in oil, gas, and coal extraction combined. Texas is once again experiencing an energy boom — this time, with wind power. In fact, the majority of wind jobs in the U.S. are in congressional districts that voted for you.

As the “Climate Mayors,” we wrote to you during your transition asking that you work with cities on climate action – the nation’s first responders and economic hubs – and to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement commitment. Instead, we fear your Administration’s recent actions and today’s executive order will undermine America’s leadership on climate action, if not take us backwards.

We urge you to change course, and to join us. In the meantime, America’s cities will continue to lead the way in moving forward in protecting our residents from the disastrous effects of climate change, and creating a thriving 21st century economy.

Sincerely,

Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles, CA / Mayor Ed Murray, City of Seattle, WA / Mayor Lioneld Jordan, City of Fayetteville, AR / Mayor Kasim Reed, City of Atlanta, GA / Mayor Martin J Walsh, City of Boston, MA / Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago, IL / Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, TX / Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City, NY / Mayor Jim Kenney, City of Philadelphia, PA / Mayor Ed Lee, City of San Francisco, CA / Mayor Sam Liccardo, City of San Jose, CA / Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington, D.C. / Mayor Esther Manheimer, City of Asheville, NC / Mayor Steve Skadron, City of Aspen, CO / Mayor Steve Adler, City of Austin, TX / Mayor John Hamilton, City of Bloomington, IN / Mayor Suzanne Jones, City of Boulder, CO / Mayor Lori S Liu, City of Brisbane, CA / Mayor Miro Weinberger, City of Burlington, VT / Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, City of Chula Vista, CA / Mayor Stephen K Benjamin, City of Columbia, SC / Mayor Michael Hancock, City of Denver, CO / Mayor Roy D Buol, City of Dubuque, IA / Mayor William V Bell, City of Durham, NC / Mayor David Kaptain, City of Elgin, IL / Mayor Lucy Vinis, City of Eugene, OR / Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, City of Evanston, IL / Mayor Madeline Rogero, City of Knoxville, TN / Mayor Philip Levine, City of Miami Beach, FL / Mayor Tom Barrett, City of Milwaukee, WI / Mayor Mark Gamba, City of Milwaukie, OR / Mayor Betsy Hodges, City of Minneapolis, MN / Mayor John Hollar, City of Montpelier, VT / Mayor Dennis Coombs, City of Longmont, CO / Mayor Robert Garcia, City of Long Beach, CA / Mayor Jon Mitchell, City of New Bedford, MA / Mayor Mitch Landrieu, City of New Orleans, LA / Mayor Libby Schaaf, City of Oakland, CA / Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando, FL / Mayor Greg Scharff, City of Palo Alto, CA / Mayor Jack Thomas, Park City, UT / Mayor Bill Peduto, City of Pittsburgh, PA / Mayor Ted Wheeler, City of Portland, OR / Mayor Liz Lempert, Municipality of Princeton, NJ / Mayor Jorge Elorza, City of Providence, RI / Mayor Alan Galbraith, City of Saint Helena, CA / Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Salt Lake City, UT / Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter, City of San Leandro, CA / Mayor Ted Winterer, City of Santa Monica, CA / Mayor Joe Curtatone, City of Somerville, MA / Mayor Glenn Hendricks, City of Sunnyvale, CA / Mayor Marilyn Strickland, City of Tacoma, WA / Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, City of Tucson, AZ / Mayor Jeri Muoio, City of West Palm Beach, FL / Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, City of West Sacramento, CA / Mayor Allen Joines, City of Winston Salem, NC / Mayor Kathy Sheehan, City of Albany, NY

Updated signatories as of 2pm PT on May 31, 2017

If you would like to sign this open letter, or require further information about #ClimateMayors (the MNCAA) and its activities please email info@climate-mayors.org.

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