Cities in 36 states are promoting green technology, primarily by using clean vehicles and installing energy-efficient streetlights and traffic signals, according to a survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors released today.
The conference surveyed 134 cities and found a variety of measures being taken to combat global warming.
"The survey shows that there are no cookie-cutter solutions," said Trenton, N.J., Mayor Douglas Palmer, president of the mayors' conference. "Cities, no matter what size, are coming up with innovative ways to reduce energy."
But more than half of the cities surveyed shied away from requiring energy efficient homes and businesses.
Three-quarters were replacing vehicles with hybrids or using biofuels like ethanol, and six in 10 require that new city government buildings be energy efficient. Four in 10 are requiring developers to build green.
About two-thirds are using renewable energy such as solar or wind. Albuquerque, N.M., saved more than $2 million on its $36 million utilities bill by using green technology.
One prohibiting factor is often funding, particularly for smaller cities.
The conference is pushing Congress to create a grant program for cities' green projects in order to solve the problem (Marisol Bello, USA Today, June 22). -- KB
Advertisement
