Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx accepted an award from the U.S. 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
