WHEREAS, many of the nation’s mayors are increasingly recognizing the value and importance of local programs that encourage energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and “green building” practices within their communities; and

WHEREAS, some of the nation’s mayors have adopted, or are working to adopt, such programs and practices for their own municipal operations, and are also encouraging such programs and practices for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors within their communities; and

WHEREAS, locally-based energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and “green building” programs can help reduce energy use, thereby reducing local energy costs and improving local air quality; and

WHEREAS, local energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and “green building” programs can provide a host of additional community benefits including strengthening the local economy and creating new jobs in the areas of energy and green buildings; and

WHEREAS, Congress is currently considering federal energy legislation that would establish a new comprehensive energy policy for the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls upon the Congress to recognize the economic importance to the nation’s communities of federal programs that encourage and support energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and “green building” programs at the local level; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Congress to ensure that any final energy legislation includes strong federal support and federal funding to energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and “green building” practices at the local level.