Climate Communities and ICLEI USA to Host Local Climate Action Week in Washington, DC

Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill

400 New Jersey Avenue, NW

November 16-18, 2009

On November 16-18, 2009, Climate Communities and ICLEI USA are convening the nation’s leading city and county leaders in Washington, DC for Local Climate Action Week.  Local Climate Action Week will provide opportunities for mayors, county executives, council members, and other community leaders to meet with key federal policymakers and build the federal-local partnership to reduce energy consumption, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create millions of new clean energy jobs. 

Local Climate Action Week will begin with internal organizing meetings on the afternoon of Monday, November 16.  On Tuesday, November 17, Climate Communities and ICLEI USA will host a series of senior-level meetings with key leaders of the Obama Administration to communicate the critical role of local governments in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and express support for important clean energy and climate programs in the President’s FY 2011 budget.  Targeted meetings include:

 Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy & Climate Change

Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

 Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air & Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

 Ron Sims, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

John Porcari, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

John Fernandez, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, U.S. Department of Commerce

 Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Administrator, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

The focus will shift to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue on Wednesday, November 18.  Climate Communities and ICLEI USA will host a Congressional briefing that morning to educate federal policymakers on the importance of local climate actions, including efforts to develop green buildings, foster community-scale renewables, advance cleaner vehicles and fuels, build green infrastructure, increase public transit, create green jobs and businesses, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.  Climate Communities will also organize meetings with key Senators to urge their support for pending climate change legislation that could provide significant resources for local actions that reduce GHG emissions.

DRAFT AGENDA

Monday, November 16 at the Hyatt Regency

3:00 – 5:00 pm:  Preparation for Agency and Congressional Meetings

7:00 pm:  Informal Dinner (Location TBD)

Tuesday, November 17 at the Hyatt Regency

9:00 am:  Introductions and Preparation for the Day’s Activities

·         Ken Brown, Executive Director, Climate Communities

·         Jeb Brugmann, Interim Executive Director, ICLEI USA

10:00 am:  Meeting w/ NOAA (tentative)

·         Moderator:  Supervisor Roger Dickinson, Sacramento County, CA

·         Presenter:  Commissioner Natacha Seijas, Miami-Dade County, FL

·         Presenter:  Sonoma County, CA

11:00 am:  Meeting with Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

·         Moderator:  Mayor Patrick Hays, City of North Little Rock, AR

·         Presenter:  Chuck Williams, Government Relations Director, King County, WA

·         Presenter:  Montgomery County, MD

12:00:  Meeting with Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air Quality and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

·         Moderator:  Supervisor Roger Dickinson, Sacramento County, CA

·         Presenter:  Commissioner Richard Loftus, Leon County, FL

·         Presenter:  Sarah Zaleski, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Baltimore, MD

1:00 pm:  Lunch

2:00 pm:  Meeting with Shelley Poticha, Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

·         Moderator:  Supervisor Roger Dickinson, Sacramento County, CA

·         Presenter:  Board Member Jay Fisette, Arlington County, VA

·         Presenter:  Marty Howell, Sustainability Program Manager, City of El Paso, TX

3:00 pm:  Meeting with Barry Johnson, Senior Advisor and Director of Strategic Initiatives, U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration

·         Moderator:  Mayor Patrick Hays, North Little Rock, AR

·         Presenter:  Councilmember Randy Gilliland, City of Hampton, VA

·         Presenter:  Luke Forrest, Program Director, Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office

4:00 pm:  Meeting with Claire Johnson, Acting Program Manager – Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs, U.S. Department of Energy

·         Moderator:  Mayor Patrick Hays, City of North Little Rock, AR

·         Presenter:  Teri Goodman, Assistant City Manager, City of Dubuque, IA

·         Presenter:  Jennifer Jurado, Director – Natural Resources Planning and Management, Broward County, FL

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm:  Reception at Hyatt

Wednesday, November 18 - 325 Russell Senate Office Building

9:30 am – 11:00 am

Local Climate Action in the Southeast U.S. – Briefing for Senate Staff/Members

325 Russell Senate Office Building

Moderator:  Supervisor John McGlennon, James City County, VA

Presenters:

·         Mayor Doug Echols, City of Rock Hill, SC

·         Councilmember Rupert Cutler, City of Roanoke, VA

·         Mayor Molly Ward, City of Hampton, VA (Invited)

·         Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, Broward County, FL

·         Commissioner Natacha Seijas, Miami-Dade County, FL

Invited Special Guests:

·         Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)

·         Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC)

·         Senator John Kerry (D-MA)

11:30-12:30pm:  Lunch

12:30-5:00 pm:  Meetings with Members of Congress

·         Reid (NV)

·         Boxer (CA)

·         Kerry (MA)

·         Webb (VA)

·         Warner (VA)

·         Levin (MI)

·         Stabenow (MI)

·         Dingell (MI)

·         Nelson (FL)

·         LeMieux (FL)

·         Hagan (NC)

·         Senate Environment & Public Works Committee

House Energy & Commerce Committee

If you are interested in paying by check/money order, click here.

Nearby hotel recommendations (ask for the government rate, if available):

·         Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill - (202) 737-1234   

·         The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel - (202) 638-1616

·         Washington Court Hotel - (202) 628-2100

·         Hotel George - (202) 347-4200

·         Phoenix Park Hotel - (202) 638-6900

For more information, contact Andrew Seth of Climate Communities at (202) 261-6011 or andy@climatecommunities.us.