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"Cool City"

Learn about Cool Cities

Communities all over America are responding to the threat of global warming with smart energy solutions. These "Cool Cities" are taking decisive action to reduce heat-trapping emissions, lower energy bills, save taxpayer dollars, and protect our environment. At a time when the federal government is failing to act, mayors and other local leaders are taking the lead to curb global warming. Beginning with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, more than 700 mayors have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to reduce global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution in their cities to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

These Cool Cities are working to meet this goal with practical and innovative energy solutions that reduce energy waste and pollution, and thereby cut our dependence on oil, benefit public health, and save money.

GLOBAL WARMING: NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT Scientists have concluded that burning fossil fuels—like oil, coal, and natural gas—to power our cars, homes, and businesses is causing global temperatures to rise. This heating of the earth poses a serious threat to our health, safety, economy, and environment. The good news is that we have the tools today to reduce global warming pollution, and cities of all sizes are pursuing innovative energy solutions. While every city’s energy solutions plan will be unique, there are three key common Cool City strategies: Green Vehicle Fleets, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy.

GREEN VEHICLE SOLUTIONS The biggest single step we can take to curb global warming is making our cars, trucks, and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas. Many cities are cutting their global warming emissions by purchasing gas-electric hybrid cars and SUVs for their city vehicle fleet. By using less gasoline, hybrid vehicles release a fraction of the global warming and air pollution emitted by conventional vehicles while saving money at the gas pump. Some cities are also providing incentives, such as free parking and lower registration fees, to encourage the purchase of hybrids by local residents and businesses.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY SOLUTIONS Energy efficiency means using less energy through better technology to light streets and power buildings and industrial facilities. Reducing energy use is one of the most cost-effective and fastest ways to meet our energy needs. Lowering energy costs enables communities to invest more in schools, job creation, and new infrastructure. Since fossil fuel power plants account for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, saving energy also means less pollution. From high-tech interior and street lighting, energy-efficient building standards and retrofits, to efficient combined heat-and-power, cities in every region of the country are modernizing lighting, heating, cooling, and other systems.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS Cities across the nation are investing in clean and renewable power like solar and wind energy to lower global warming emissions and create a reliable source of safe, homegrown electricity. Many cities are adopting "renewable energy standards" that require a specific percentage of the electricity sold in a city or utility area to come from renewable sources by a specific target date. Other cities are incorporating renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic panels, into the design of public buildings. Renewable power and energy efficiency are essential solutions for replacing electricity from dirty, fossil-fuel-burning power plants.

COOL CITIES: BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER  The most successful Cool Cities are engaging the entire community to help meet the goals of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Local businesses, builders, faith groups, environmentalists, and labor unions are working together to make their cities more livable and vibrant while lowering energy bills, creating good jobs, and tackling a global problem.

RE-ENERGIZING YOUR CITY As the news of successful city solutions spreads, more cities are joining in the Cool Cities movement to lead our country and our world into a new energy future. Cool Cities are literally re-energizing our nation, proving that we can solve global warming one city at a time.