Conference of Mayors (USCM) June 13 in honor of a unique, citywide
energy efficiency initiative during the Conference's annual meeting in
Orlando, Florida. The Power2Charlotte initiative, which is designed to
create jobs and save energy, earned the Queen City an honorable
mention in the large city category for the 2012 Mayors' Climate
Protection Awards, an initiative sponsored by USCM and Walmart.
Charlotte was among five cities that received honorable mentions in
addition to one that was awarded first place in the large city
category, which was defined by cities with populations over 100,000.
The annual awards program is in its sixth year and recognizes mayors
for innovative practices in their cities that increase energy
efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An independent panel
of judges selected the winners from a pool of more than 100 applicants.
"It's an honor to accept this award on Charlotte's behalf and to
receive this recognition from the U.S. Conference of Mayors," Foxx
said. "Through programs like Power2Charlotte and Envision Charlotte we
are working to establish the Queen City as a national energy hub and a
global model for energy sustainability."
Power2Charlotte consists of 17 energy and energy efficiency projects
that focus on both internal city operations and community-wide
projects. The program's goals are to increase energy efficiency,
reduce greenhouse gases, create jobs, create programs with longevity
and leverage external resources. These projects fall into five
categories: energy investments in revitalization areas; catalyst
projects; air quality; public building energy efficiency; and energy
strategy implementation.
The City of Charlotte also maintains a proactive policy of
neighborhood-focused assessment, renewal and planning that works to
build upon neighborhoods assets, while addressing shortcomings. In
1993, the City began formally assessing quality-of-life conditions at
a neighborhood scale, with its recent EECBG-funded Green Neighborhood
Assessment Tool for environmental values, whereby variables will be
communicated through a dynamic online dashboard displaying available
community resources and identifying opportunities for residents to
improve their scores and enhance the quality of life in their specific
communities.
For more information on the initiative, please visit www.power2charlotte.com
