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8A Page 9 Background The EEBG program is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6), which President Bush signed into law in December 2007. The program would provide cities with federal funding for innovative practices to improve energy efficiency, lower energy usage and reduce fossil fuel emissions. Although H.R. 6 authorizes $10 billion ($2 billion per year 2008-2012), the funds need to be appropriated by Congress each year as part of the federal budget process. H.R. 6 splits up the $2 billion annual allocation into four different funding pots: 68 percent is designated for cities and counties (local govemment pot), 28 percent for states (state pot), 2 percent for Indian tribes, and 2 percent for competitive grants to local governments or a consortia of local governments who are ineligible for funding out of the other funding streams. Cities with a population of 35,000 or more, and counties with a population of 200,000 or more (as well as the top 10 most populous cities and counties in each state) will be eligible for funds out of the local government pot. AB 2176 addresses California's portion of the state funding and would establish a mechanism . through which funds received by the state would then be passed on to cities and counties. H.R. 6 mandates that 60 percent of the state portion must go to cities and counties that are not eligible to receive funding out of the local government pot (those not eligible would be cities under 35,000 in population) . What's Next AB 2176 will next be heard in the. Assembly Committee on Natural Resources in April. The League will provide an update on the bill's status following that hearing. Legislative Action Days Scheduled for April1G-17 in Sacramento It's a Time for City Voices to Be Heard in the State Capitol The League of California Cities' Legislative Action Days are scheduled for April 16-17, with events being held at the Sacramento Convention Center and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel in Sacramento. Join your colleagues to learn the latest on issues such as the budget, climate change regulatory efforts and legislation, infrastructure bond implementation, land use, and other key legislation. Legislative Action Days are also a prime opportunity for your city to meet with state legislators to deliver the message of the importance of preserving local services.' Confirmed general session speakers for Wednesday, April 16 are: . Assembly Member Karen Bass, Speaker.Elect of the Assembly (D-Los Angeles) . Assembly Member Anna Caballero, Chair, Assembly Local Government Committee (0- Salinas) . Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Fresno), Senate Republican Leader-Elect . Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chair, Senate Transportation and Housing Committee (D-Long Beach) . Senator Alex Padilla (D-Los Angeles) Confirmed general session speakers for Thursday, April 17 are: . Cynthia Bryant, deputy chief of staff and director of the Office of Planning and Research . James Tilton, Secretary, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also been invited to give remarks. 4