Clean and Sustainable Energy

1
1
Economic Recovery Federal Climate Policy
Updates, Opportunities, Resources for Local
Governments
Emma Zinsmeister State and Local Climate and
Energy Program Office of Atmospheric
Programs ICLEI Southeast Regional
Workshop September 17, 2009 Loudermilk Center,
Atlanta, GA
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Outline
2

• Economic Recovery
• Status Update on Federal Climate Policy
• EPA Resources and Partnership Programs
• Funding Opportunities

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Economic Recovery
3

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
  2009 - 787 Billion
• One-time, unprecedented level of spending
• Tremendous Opportunity
• Consider energy efficiency (EE), climate
  protection, and green workforce development in
  ALL ARRA spending
• ARRA provides an excellent opportunity for
  local governments to build the foundation of
  EE/climate programs and prepare for potential
  greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations in the future

4

• Status Update on Federal Climate Policy

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Status Update on Federal Climate Policy
5

• Multiple activities are ongoing that may
  contribute to GHG regulation and climate policy
  at the federal level
• Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
• Proposed Endangerment Finding
• American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009
  (Waxman-Markey)
• Senate Energy Climate Bills
• What does all of this mean for local governments?

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Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
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• Background
• FY08 Omnibus Appropriations Act Required EPA to
  develop and publish a rule requiring mandatory
  reporting of greenhouse gas emissions above
  appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the
  economy.
• In order to develop a strong proposal, EPA met
  with over 250 stakeholder groups, including trade
  associations, industries, states, and state- and
  region-based groups.
• Status
• March 10, 2009 EPA Administrator signed
  proposed rule to collect accurate and
  comprehensive emissions data from large sources
  in the U.S. to inform future policy decisions.
• April 10, 2009 Proposed rule published in the
  Federal Register and was open for public comment
  until June 9, 2009 (60 days).
• Public hearings held in Arlington, VA (April 6-7)
  and Sacramento, CA (April 16).
• Currently under OMB review

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Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
(contd)
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• Local Government Outreach Input
• March 10 August 25, 2009 EPA staff met with
  over 150 local and state governments, regional
  and tribal organizations, and environmental- and
  state-based NGOs.
• Information sharing through conferences,
  webinars, and EPA Region-led initiatives.
• Approx. 45 of 16,800 comments on rule from
  local/state governments and local/state based
  groups.
• POTENTIAL Impact on Local Governments
• Local Governments could be required to submit an
  annual GHG report for any facility they own or
  operate that is subject to the rule.
• Landfills and stationary combustion equipment are
  the types of facilities owned or operated by
  locals that would most likely trigger
  applicability.
• However, rule is still under review and nothing
  is certain at this time.

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Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
(contd)
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• Next Steps
• Completion of OMB review finalization of rule
• Congressional review
• Publication in Federal Register
• Outreach, education, and training by EPA
• Aiming for reporting period to begin Jan. 1, 2010

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Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
(contd)
9

• More information
• Website www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgru
  lemaking.html
• Guide for state local agencies, text of
  proposed rule 2 page fact sheet, regulatory
  impact analysis, technical support documents,
  guidance sheets for each subpart, FAQs
• Coming soon Training schedule (once rule is
  finalized)
• Contact for general questions Kitty Sibold
• sibold.katherine_at_epa.gov
• [phone]

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Endangerment Finding
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• Background
• April 2, 2007 In Massachusetts v. EPA, the
  Supreme Court found that greenhouse gases are air
  pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act.
• EPA was required determine whether
• GHG emissions from new motor vehicles cause or
  contribute to air pollution
• This air pollution may reasonably be anticipated
  to endanger public health or welfare or
• The science is too uncertain to make a reasoned
  decision.

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Endangerment Finding (contd)
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• Status
• April 17, 2009 Administrator signed a proposal
  with two distinct findings regarding greenhouse
  gases under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act
• Proposed Endangerment Finding Current and
  projected concentrations of the mix of six key
  GHGs in the atmosphere threaten the public health
  and welfare.
• Cause or Contribute Finding Combined emissions
  of CO2, CH4, N2O, and HFCs from new motor
  vehicles and motor vehicle engines contribute to
  the atmospheric concentrations of these key GHGs
  and hence to the threat of climate change.
• April 24, 2009 Proposed endangerment finding
  was published in the Federal Register and open
  for public comment until June 23, 2009 (60 days).
• Public hearings held in Arlington, VA (May 18)
  and Seattle, WA (May 21).
• Currently reviewing public comments

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Endangerment Finding (contd)
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• Local Government Input
• Approx. 400,000 comments were received from a
  variety of entities, including local and state
  governments.
• Impact on Local Governments
• This action, if finalized, does NOT impose any
  requirements on industry or other entities.
• The proposed endangerment finding is NOT
  accompanied by a proposed standard for GHG
  regulation.
• It does NOT impose any timetable for issuing
  regulations.
• It does NOT indicate that EPA has made any final
  decisions about regulating GHGs under the Clean
  Air Act.

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Endangerment Finding (contd)
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• Next Steps
• Complete review of public comments issue
  response document
• Finalize the technical report on science
  emissions data
• Finalize the finding no set timeline
• More Information
• Website http//epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment
  .html
• Text of proposed endangerment finding 2 page
  fact sheet, technical support document, 2 page
  summary of supporting science, FAQs
• Contact for general questions
• ghgendangerment_at_epa.gov
• [phone]

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American Clean Energy and Security Act
2009Waxman-Markey

• Background
• Comprehensive national climate and energy
  legislation authored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
  and Edward Markey (D-MA).
• Would establish an economy-wide, GHG
  cap-and-trade system and critical complementary
  measures to help address climate change and build
  a clean energy economy by
• Incentivizing reductions in GHG emissions
• Advancing energy efficiency and reducing reliance
  on oil
• Stimulating innovation in clean coal technology
• Accelerating use of renewable energy (RE)
  sources and
• Creating strong demand for clean energy
  technologies and assisting economic recovery and
  job growth.
• Status
• March 31, 2009 Discussion draft released.
• May 15, 2009 Final draft introduced to Energy
  and Commerce Committee.
• May 21, 2009 Markup and amendments completed
  passed by committee.
• June 26, 2009 Approved by the House by a vote
  of 219-212.
• July 6, 2009 Placed on Senate calendar.

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American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009
Waxman-Markey (contd)

• Potential Relevance to Local Governments
• Renewable Energy - requires electric utilities to
  meet 20 of their electricity demand through RE
  (75 minimum) and EE by 2020.
• Smart Grid Technology - promotes deployment and
  transmission planning and siting.
• Building Codes - requires new buildings to be 30
  more efficient in 2012 and 50 more efficient in
  2016.
• Cap and Trade requires major U.S. sources to
  reduce GHG emissions 17 by 2020, 42 by 2030 and
  83 by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.
• Establishes a system of tradable emissions
  allowances.
• Allows up to 2 billion tons of offsets annually
  for compliance system wide.
• Revenue from sale of allowances will be used for
  a variety of purposes, such as protecting
  consumers from energy price increases, supporting
  domestic adaptation initiatives, and establishing
  an EE and RE Worker Training Fund.

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American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009
Waxman-Markey (contd)

• More Information
• House of Reps. summary of key provisions
  http//energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090724
  /hr2454_housesummary.pdf
• EPA - economic analyses http//www.epa.gov/climat
  echange/economics/pdfs/HR2454_Analysis.pdf
• Pew Center on Global Climate Change
• Potential impacts on agriculture
  http//www.pewclimate.org/federal/what-waxman-mark
  ey-does-for-agriculture
• Potential impacts on coal
• http//www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/what-waxman-
  markey-does-for-coal-sept2009.pdf
• Other resources http//www.pewclimate.org/acesa
• Climate Communities presentations on cap and
  trade http//climatecommunities.us/federalissues.
  html\

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Senate Energy Climate Bills
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• In contrast to the House of Representatives, the
  Senate is working on separate energy and climate
  bills.
• The American Clean Energy and Leadership Act of
  2009 was passed by the Committee on Energy and
  Natural Resources on June 17, 2009.
• Contains significant energy efficiency provisions
  including greatly strengthened building codes, a
  renewable electricity standard with an EE
  component, and new energy efficient product
  standards.
• Sets no GHG reduction requirements.
• Climate Bill Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and
  John Kerry (D-MA) plan to introduce bill into
  committees this month for markup.
• Resulting bill will likely be combined with ACSLA
  to create the Senate counterpart to
  Waxman-Markey.
• If the Senate passes this combined bill,
  differences between the Senate and House bills
  will have to be reconciled. A final bill will
  have to be passed by both sides of Congress
  before going to President Obama for signature.

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What does all of this mean for local governments?
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• The outcome of the ongoing regulatory and
  legislative processes will determine if federal
  regulation of GHGs will occur under the CAA,
  through a cap and trade program, or not at all.
• Due to the rapid pace at which climate policy is
  evolving, it is challenging, yet critical, to
  stay abreast of the implications for local
  governments.
• EPA has numerous tools, resources, and
  communication channels to assist local
  governments with program development and
  interpreting the federal regulatory landscape.
• The time is now for local governments to put into
  place strong EE and climate protection programs
  and take advantage ARRA and other funding
  opportunities.

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• EPA Resources and Partnership Programs

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EPA Local Climate and Energy Program Goals

• Assist localities (e.g., regional governments,
  counties, municipalities, and small communities)
  to
• Identify credible information on key climate
  strategies
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving
  multiple benefits
• Understand, integrate, and maximize multiple
  benefits in planning and designing cost-effective
  programs
• Learn from peer to peer exchange

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EPA Local Climate and Energy Program Approach

• Multiple Benefits Framework for Climate - Clean
  Energy
• Local Governments can achieve
• Air quality improvements
• Greenhouse gas emission reductions
• Energy security and reliability
• Economic development
• Public health
• Quality of life

Clean Energy Energy Efficiency, Renewable
Energy, Clean Distributed Generation
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Roadmap for Locals Achieving GHG Reductions
using EPA Tools
Create Collaboratives
Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide, Peer
Exchanges
Establish Goals
Clean Air Climate Protection Software, eGRID
Clean Energy Resources Database, Clean
Energy/Climate Policy Maps, SEP Toolkit, Heat
Island Actions Database, Heat Island Compendium,
Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide, Local
Government Webcasts, ENERGY STAR, other EPA
Partnerships
Identify Policies Programs
COBRA, GHG Equivalency Calculator, Local
Government Webcasts, LBE Guide, Multiple Benefits
Guide, Biomass Toolkit
Design Analyze
Implement Evaluate Progress
MV Guidance, ENERGY STAR Benchmarking /
Portfolio Manager, Clean Energy/Climate Policy
Maps, GHG Equivalency Calculator
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Key Programmatic Resources

• Local Clean Energy Strategies Guides
  www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-
  local/local-best-practices.html
• Local Clean Energy Webcasts www.epa.gov/cleanenerg
  y/energy-programs/state-and-local/webcast.html
• Clean Energy Resources Database for Local
  Governments http//cfpub.epa.gov/ceird/index.cfm?f
  useactionlocal.search_js

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Local Clean Energy Strategies Guides

• 15 strategies in 4 areas
• Energy Efficiency
• Energy Supply
• Transportation
• Urban Planning and Design
• Available draft guides
• Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing Green
  Power Procurement
• Energy Efficient Product Procurement On-site
  Renewables
• Combined Heat and Power Landfill Gas to
  Energy
• Energy Efficiency in Municipal Operations
• Future guides
• Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools
• Transportation Control Measures
• Efficient Fleets
• Smart Growth
• http//www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-prog
  rams/state-and-local/local-best-practices.html

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Sample Content Local Climate and Energy Guides

• On-Site Renewable Energy Generation Guide
• Snapshot of renewable energy measures and
  technologies content
• Wind
• Solar
• Geothermal
• Biomass
• Landfill gas and other biogas
• Solid waste (waste-to-energy)
• Low-impact hydropower
• Fuel cells

• Energy Efficiency in Municipal Operations Guide
• Snapshot of planning and design approaches to
  energy efficiency content
• Improving energy efficiency in existing and new
  local government facilities
• Incorporating energy efficiency in new and
  renovated green buildings
• Improving energy efficiency in local government
  operations

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-
local/local-best-practices.html
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Local Clean Energy Peer Exchange Webcasts,
Listserv

• Webcasts www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/
  state-and-local/webcast.html
• Monthly webcasts provide
• An overview of the relevant EPA programs and
  resources
• Presentations by 1-2 local practitioners about
  their experiences implementing similar projects
• Q and A sessions
• Webcasts are posted online and can be used as
  resource
• Examples of past webcasts include
• ARRA 2009 Clean Energy Opportunities
• Landfill Gas to Energy
• Green Power Procurement
• Energy Efficiency Procurement
• Upcoming webcasts topics include
• Energy efficiency in K-12 schools, Transportation
  Control Measures, Combined Heat and Power, Clean
  Energy Workforce Development
• Listserv to sign up, visit for more information
  - www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-an
  d-local/listserv.html
• Provides information on new policy developments
  highlights technology advances shares
  information on new studies, reports, and upcoming
  events and notes new funding opportunities

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EPA Guidance links Recovery Funds with Energy
Programs

• ARRA 2009 A Guide to Renewable Energy and Energy
  Efficiency Incentives for Local and Tribal
  Governments
• Companion March 5, 2009 webcast recording
  available online
• http//www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/sta
  te-and-local/webcast.html
• ARRA 2009 State and Local Guide to U.S. EPA
  Climate and Energy Program Resources
  http//epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-a
  nd-local
• Information about Tax Credits
• www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
• Portfolio Manager Implementation Resources
  http//www.energystar.gov/benchmark
• Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency Toolkit
  http//epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/napee/i
  ndex.html

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EPA Partnership Opportunities for Locals

• Help Local Governments
• Learn from Best Practices
• Emphasize Co-Benefits
• Integrate Planning
• Prioritize EE as a Resource
• These programs offer
• Direct Technical Support
• Peer Exchange
• Tools and Guidance

Collision Repair Campaign
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Key EPA Climate and Energy Programs

• Local Climate and Energy Program
  http//epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-a
  nd-local/local.html
• ENERGY STAR for local governments
  http//www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?cgovernment.b
  us_government_local
• ENERGY STAR Residential Program
  www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement
• Combined Heat and Power http//epa.gov/chp/
• Green Power Partnership http//www.epa.gov/greenp
  ower
• Landfill Methane Outreach Program
  http//epa.gov/lmop/
• Smart Growth Program http//epa.gov/smartgrowth
• Heat Island Reduction Program http//epa.gov/heat
  island/
• Office of Transportation and Air Quality
  http//www.epa.gov/otaq/

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White House Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ)Recovery Through Retrofit

• On May 26, 2009, at a meeting of the Middle Class
  Task Force, Vice President Biden asked
• "the Council on Environmental Quality to report
  back to the Task Force in 90 days with proposals
  that expand green jobs opportunities, and boost
  energy savings for the middle class."
• 13 federal agencies (EPA, DOE, DOL, DoEd, HUD,
  etc.) have been meeting regularly to develop an
  action plan for Recovery through Retrofit
  weatherization / EE retrofits of 1 million homes
  per year
• Demand creation financing
• Workforce capacity
• Innovation
• Draft report presented to Middle Class Task Force
  August 21, 2009
• Final to be released October 2009 with specific
  proposals for collaboration, action steps,
  funding

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HUD-DOT-EPASustainable Communities Partnership

• March 2009 HUD and DOT establish partnership
• June 2009 EPA Joins partnership principles
  established
• September 17-18 Secretaries Dononvan and LaHood
  and Administrator Jackson tour sustainable
  communities (Chicago, IL Denver, CO and
  Dubuque, IA)
• Sustainable Community Principles
• Provide more transportation choices
• Promote equitable, affordable housing
• Enhance economic competitiveness
• Support existing communities
• Coordinate policies and leverage investment
• Value communities and neighborhoods

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ENERGY STAR

• Joint program of U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE helping
  save money and protect the environment through
  energy efficient products and practices.
• Cost-free climate protection / energy efficiency
  resources
• Tools to benchmark and track energy performance
  in buildings
• Energy Management Guidelines
• Assistance for architects on designing energy
  efficient buildings
• Case studies and best practices from leaders
• Calculators to track returns on energy efficiency
  investments
• Onsite and Online Training Sessions
• Materials to communicate with citizens,
  employees, stakeholders, and the media about
  energy efficiency efforts.
• How can local governments benefit from ENERGY
  STAR
• Sign up for the Energy Star Challenge
• Benchmark government buildings
• Reduce energy use in homes
• www.energystar.gov

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The ENERGY STAR Challenge

• The ENERGY STAR Challenge encourages everyone to
  improve the energy efficiency of Americas
  buildings by 10 or more.
• Off-the-shelf campaign and tools to promote
  energy efficiency in your community
• More than 150 cities and counties have signed on
• In a typical city or county, local government
  operations may account for only 5 of greenhouse
  gas emissionsengaging the private and residental
  sector is critical.
• Louisville, KY
• Lead by example and improve the energy efficiency
  of your own buildings.
• Promote energy efficiency to constituents.
• Sign up online and access the
• toolkit at www.energystar.gov/challenge

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Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

• Sponsored by a utility, state or local government
• A network of specially-trained contractors
• Evaluate homes using state-of-the-art equipment
• Recommend comprehensive energy improvements
• Ready to complete the work or refer to someone
  who can
• Quality assurance program checks work of
  participating contractors to verify program
  standards are met
• Homeowner chooses and pays for improvements based
  on credible information
• www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement

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ENERGY STAR for Buildings

• Offers proven solutions to help building owners
  and managers reduce energy consumption
• Program for new construction and existing
  buildings
• Works in markets with a focus on
• Public sector (government, K-12, higher ed)
• Healthcare
• Small business and congregations
• Commercial property (offices, retail, hotels)
• Provides free online benchmarking tool for
  existing buildings Portfolio Manager
• www.energystar.gov/government

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• Funding Opportunities

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Climate Showcase Communities Grant

• 2009 Appropriations Bill
• Administered by Local Climate and Energy Program
• 10M Competitive grant to assist local
  communities in pursuing their own climate change
  initiatives
• Goal is to achieve documentable, replicable GHG
  reductions from a range of activities
• Program will
• Foster collaborative partnership between
  communities and with the Federal government
• Ensure federal investments spur local innovation
  and produce concrete results
• Promote transfer of best practices among
  localities
• Identify strategies to overcome institutional
  barriers to local governments achieving energy
  use and GHG reductions
• Solicitation period closed in July
• Grantees will be awarded in January 2010
• http//www.epa.gov/RDEE/energy-programs/state-an
  d-local/showcase.html

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Climate Showcase Communities Connections with
ARRA Funding

• Focus and Goals
• ARRA funds for energy reductions, implementation
  only
• Showcase Grants focus on GHG reductions (broader
  than energy), planning through implementation
• Timelines
• ARRA funds already being distributed, must be
  spent within 18 months (by 12/2010), forces
  emphasis on shovel ready
• Showcase Grants funds available 1/2010, 2-3
  year project periods, allows longer-term
  planning, assessment, education, evaluation
• Support and Peer Exchange
• ARRA limited direct support available (due to
  volume), no identified mechanisms for
  peer-to-peer exchange, no replicability
  requirement
• Showcase Grants hands-on technical support and
  training for all recipients, multiple
  peer-exchange venues, replicability is goal
• ARRA and Showcase Grants Serve as Complements
• ARRA allows mass implementation, sows seeds for
  long-term change
• Showcase Grants grow projects into sustainable,
  replicable models of success
• Lessons learned from ARRA projects inform
  Showcase Communities, serve as additional source
  of results and best practices
• Coordinating reporting metrics saves effort for
  feds and funding recipients

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Green Workforce Development

• Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
• Funds a number of different workforce development
  programs, some funding may cover green job
  related training
• Department of Labor, 3.95 billion ARRA funds
• Training for Careers in Energy Efficiency and
  Renewable Energy
• Funding for research, labor exchange, and job
  training projects that prepare workers for
  careers in energy efficiency and renewable
  energy, as described in the 2007 Green Jobs
  Amendment to the WIA.
• Sets aside 500 million of WIA funds for Green
  Jobs
• EPA Resources
• State Technical Forum resources include a
  background paper, resource list, and case studies
  of state and local green job programs.
  http//www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/sta
  te-and-local/state-forum.htmltwoa

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Open Solicitation under Workforce Investment Act

• Pathways Out of Poverty (SGA/DFA PY 08-19)
• 150 million in grant funds for projects that
  provide training and placement services to
  provide pathways out of poverty and into
  employment within EE and RE industries.
• Grantees selected from two separate types of
  applicants will be funded through this
  solicitation (1) national nonprofit entities
  with networks of local affiliates, coalition
  members, or other established partners and (2)
  local entities.
• Intend to fund grants ranging from approximately
  3 to 8 million for national grantees, and
  grants ranging from approximately 2 to 4
  million for local grantees.
• Issue Date June 24, 2009
• Closing Date September 29, 2009
• http//www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-08-19
  .pdf

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EPA National Clean Diesel Campaign

• Regular EPA grant program received 300 million
  ARRA funds
• Promotes diesel emissions reduction strategies to
  improve air quality and public health
  http//www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/
• The State and Local Clean Diesel Toolkit provides
  an array of tools and resources for designing,
  funding and evaluating programs that reduce
  diesel engine emissions http//www.epa.gov/otaq/d
  iesel/slt/basicinfo.htm
• A special Recovery Act web site for the National
  Clean Diesel Campaign is available.
  http//www.epa.gov/otaq/eparecovery/index.htm
• The Diesel Emission Quantifier (DEQ) helps
  estimate cost effectiveness and environmental
  impact of emission reduction technologies
  http//cfpub.epa.gov/quantifier/
• Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ)
• The OTAQ website contains information on energy
  use and emissions associated with different fuels
  and technologies. http//www.epa.gov/otaq/
• OTAQs State and Local Resources site offers
  tools and information tailored to the needs of
  local governments. http//www.epa.gov/otaq/statere
  sources
• Local Climate and Energy Program
• Strategy Guide on Efficient Fleets, coming soon
  http//www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/sta
  te-and-local/local-best-practices.html

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EPA Brownfields Program
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• Regular solicitations
• Assessment Grants http//www.epa.gov/brownfields/
  assessment_grants.htm
• Revolving Loan Fund Grants http//www.epa.gov/bro
  wnfields/rlflst.htm
• Cleanup grants http//www.epa.gov/brownfields/clea
  nup_grants.htm
• Job Training Grants http//www.epa.gov/brownfield
  s/job.htm
• Training, Research, and Technical Assistance
  Grants http//www.epa.gov/brownfields/trta.htm
• EPA collaborates with other federal partners, and
  state agencies to identify and make available
  resources that can be used for brownfields
  activities. EPA also provides technical
  information on brownfields financing matters.
• EPAs Brownfields Program http//www.epa.gov/brow
  nfields/index.html

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Looking Ahead

• Local governments play a key role in climate and
  energy issues.
• Every day, local governments make decisions that
  impact energy security and reliability, air
  quality, greenhouse gas emissions, economic
  development, public health, and quality of life.
• Local policies and programs complement,
  supplement, and enforce policies and action by
  other levels of government and the private
  sector.
• Local governments are a high priority of the
  current administration.
• Administrator Jackson has made communities a top
  EPA priority, and the Agency is engaging in a
  number of initiatives to support local
  governments and champion local interests at the
  federal level.
• ARRA funds provide a tremendous opportunity for
  local governments to build and strengthen EE and
  climate protection programs in ways that will
  provide benefits beyond the economic recovery
  period.
• EPA has a number of programs, resources, and
  tools to help local governments take advantage of
  the opportunities available.

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EPA Local Climate and Energy Contacts
44

• Emma Zinsmeister
• zinsmeister.emma_at_epa.gov
• 202-343-9043
• Neelam R. Patel
• patel.neelam-r_at_epa.gov
• 202-343-9384
• Andrea Denny
• denny.andrea_at_epa.gov
• 202-343-9268
• Main Website
• www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-
  local/local.html
• State and Local Climate and Energy Listserv
• www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-
  local/listserv.html