Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012

A Menu of Effective and Feasible Local Solutions

April 11, 2012

Local governments can take steps today that will help get us on the path toward achieving three critical goals: Produce more clean energy and grow the economy. Reduce pollution while saving energy and dollars. Build more resilient and balanced economies and communities. The local government actions outlined below would achieving these goals, which are critical for accelerating the clean energy economic transformation that has already begun and for moving forcefully into a new economic era defined by stronger industries, better infrastructure, and a steadily growing middle class. We detail these recommendations in our paper Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012. Here are the local government highlights.
To generate a significant percentage of energy in our nation from low-carbon sources, local governments can: Implement Clean Local Energy Accessible Now contracts in cities page 13 To strengthen our economy by helping our industries and workers capture the economic opportunity of clean energy, local governments can: Expand the Energy, Economy, Environment, or E3, Initiative to make manufacturers greener and more competitive page 24

Create industry partnerships that link economic and workforce development in states regional economies page 25 Transform the waste industry to create jobs and reduce pollution page 26 Develop the home-retrofit industry page 27
To realize significant energy savings in all sectors of our economy, local governments can: Bring commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy programs to scale in metropolitan markets page 39 Prioritize energy efficiency and other progressive energy programs at municipally owned utilities page 40 To ensure climate resiliency and restoration, local governments can: Develop local climate change adaptation plans page 58

These sets of actions can be taken this year to boost clean energy, combat climate change, improve jobs growth, and promote our nations energy security. We dont need to wait.

Center for American Progress | Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012