LAUDES-U.S. cities drive energy transition despite Trump resistance

Green projects are driven by local mandates and affordability concerns

Climate action is a priority for local officials after being urged by worried voters

The U.S. Mayors will meet at the COP30 Climate Summit in November

By Carey L. Biron

Mayors report that many cities still have a long way to go in improving building efficiency, electrifying cars and neighborhoods, training employees for new energy jobs, and designing for tomorrow.

Keith Wilson, the mayor of Oregon's biggest city, said that cities like Portland don't wait for federal permission before taking action on climate change.

Portland, Oregon created last year the nation's first zero emission delivery zone. This is where electric vehicles and bicycles are used to supply shops and restaurants. The city aims to become the first U.S. town to eliminate petroleum diesel sales before 2030.

The Trump administration has cancelled billions of dollars worth of programs this year and stopped research.

According to a new update, the International Energy Agency has revised its forecast of renewable energy growth in the United States between now and 2030 by almost 50%.

Authorities across the country say, however, that they hope to maintain climate momentum.

Many U.S. Mayors are preparing for a gathering in Brazil next Month, where the COP30 global climate summit will be held. According to observers, the focus of the summit will be on the role played by cities.

Jack Hanson is the executive director of Run on Climate. The organization supports candidates that are focused on climate issues.

He stated that the number of applicants for financial assistance this year is up significantly.

He said, "It is important to make people understand that the federal government will not solve this problem before us for at least the next few year," he stated. "CITIES ARE BACKFOOT"

Experts warn that the headwinds from the federal government are powerful. This includes the cancellation of grant funding worth billions of dollars.

Amy E. Turner is the director of the Cities Climate Law Initiative, at Columbia Law School, New York. She said that federal actions had not stopped local governments in their efforts to combat climate change, but they were on the backfoot as they dealt with the onslaught.

Turner, however, said that cities could make "meaningful" progress on climate, particularly in decarbonizing the buildings which are responsible for almost a third of U.S. emissions.

Boston became the first U.S. City to require large new buildings to have zero net carbon emissions from the moment they are opened, according the chief climate officer of the city, Brian Swett.

Boston's carbon dioxide emissions are 71% caused by buildings. The program is therefore essential to Boston's goal of halving its emissions by the year 2020 and eliminating them completely by 2050.

Recent standards on emissions performance for existing buildings have been implemented in more than a dozen other cities, including New York City, Washington, Denver, and Seattle.

Beckie Menten is the state director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition.

She said, "This is one exciting initiative that can maintain its momentum despite the happenings at the federal levels."

Climate opportunities can also be found in the decisions made about where to develop to reduce car travel and commutes.

Redmond is evolving from a "suburb to a city", and the light rail project will help "create more walkable, bikeable communities and ensure businesses are present," according to Mayor Angela Birney.

She said, "It is a transformational way of thinking about cities and how they can be more adaptable to the changing climates in the future. It also makes them less dependent on a car centric society."

We're thinking about cities in a different way.

Solar panels can be installed on the roofs of businesses and residents by cities that produce or purchase renewable energy.

"Everyone's trying to find an energy transition solution", said Saharnaz mirzazad. She is the executive director of ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability USA. This association works with cities to promote energy funding from the private sector.

Research indicates that local opposition to the development of renewable energy has increased.

A database maintained Robert Bryce, a former journalist, shows that there are more than 1,110 local examples of rejections for renewable energy projects. The opposition to solar power has increased dramatically since 2022.

Steve Abbott, principal at RMI, a think-tank focused on energy, explained that hundreds of cities still have climate plans which mandate steep emission reductions. This is due to concerns about residential electricity prices, which have increased 10% in the past year.

He said that Chicago's municipal operations were powered entirely by renewable energy. Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas, have similar goals in the coming years.

Cities are increasing their training to ensure that workers are well-prepared.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, is helping low-income residents gain access to green job training by offering scholarships, child care assistance, and transportation support. This is according to Quinton Zondervan a former Cambridge City Councillor, who is now the policy director of Run on Climate.

He said that heating and air conditioning technicians, as well as electricians, "will be in high-demand for many years to come." It's important that communities invest into green job training to build resilience.

(source: Reuters)