Defending the Clean Power Plan
On November 5th, ICLEI’s Local Climate Leaders Circle – a delegation of U.S. local elected officials who will travel with ICLEI USA to COP21 in Paris – issued a letter to EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy to underscore the importance of the Clean Power Plan to an international climate agreement. A delay in implementing the Clean Power Plan will considerably undermine the ability of the U.S. to negotiate with other countries for a meaningful agreement in Paris.
Energy Efficiency in Low Income Communities
The EPA Clean Power Plan final rule, announced this week, includes a proposed early credit program for energy efficiency savings achieved in 2020 and 2021 in low-income communities. Through ICLEI’s Unite2Green program, young people in low-income communities are trained to deliver energy efficiency education to members of their community.
Building energy efficiency and the Clean Power Plan
Energy efficiency serves as a compliance strategy for EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Energy efficiency in the building sector is touted as a “low-hanging fruit” for cities to take hold of, in order to lower overall carbon emissions. Indeed, energy efficiency opportunities are well understood and implemented in a variety of settings.
Clean Power Plan Clean Energy Incentive Program
Today’s release of the Clean Power Plan, is a hugely important step in the fight against climate change. Through energy productivity and renewable energy polices and programs, state and local governments have provided, and will continue to provide, meaningful carbon reductions and health benefits across the country.