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<br />8A <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />As sponsor of AB 2176, the League has been working closely with the California Energy <br />Commission (CEC) to ensure the efficiency of the funding mechanism once this grant money is <br />allocated by the federal government. <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The EEBG program is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6), which <br />President Bush signed into law in December 2007. The program would provide cities with federal <br />funding for innovative practices to Improve energy efficiency, lower energy usage and reduce <br />fossil fuel emissions. Although H.R. 6 authorizes $10 billion ($2 billion per year 2008-2012), the <br />funds need to be appropriated by Congress each year as part of the federal budget process. <br /> <br />H.R. 6 splits up the $2 billion annual allocation into four different funding pots: 68 percent is <br />designated for cities and counties (local government pot), 28 percent for states (state pot), 2 <br />percent for Indian tribes, and 2 percent for competitive grants to local governments or a consortia <br />of local governments who are ineligible for funding out of the other funding streams. <br /> <br />Cities with a population of 35,000 or more, and counties with a population of 200,000 or more (as <br />well as the top 10 most populous cities and counties in each state) will be eligible for funds out of <br />the local government pot. <br /> <br />AB 2176 addresses California's portion of the state funding and would establish a mechanism <br />through which funds received by the state would then be passed on to cities and counties. H.R. 6 <br />mandates that 60 percent of the state portion must go to cities and counties that are not eligible to <br />receive funding out of the local government pot (those not eligible would be cities under 35,000 in <br />population). <br /> <br />What's Next <br /> <br />League staff will now focus on energy efficiency funding to lobbying the federal government to <br />fully fund the EEBG program at the authorized $2 billion per year. The backing for full funding is <br />strongly supported by California's congressional delegation as well as the National League of <br />Cities (NLC). <br /> <br />Priority Focus Requests Sustainable Cities Feature Ideas <br /> <br />The League is asking cities to submit story ideas for the Sustainable Cities Feature which runs <br />every other week in Priority Focus. Launched in January, this relatively new feature highlights <br />different innovations California cities are implementing to promote energy efficiency and reduce <br />their carbon foot prints. . <br /> <br />Each story runs between 400-750 words and focuses on one aspect of what a city is doing to <br />improve the environment. Previous stories have focused on a variety of city programs including: <br />integrated pest management, brown water recycling, tree planting, CNG vehicle purchasing <br />incentive program and food waste composting. <br /> <br />How to Submit Ideas <br /> <br />If your city is doing something revolutionary on the green front, please send a short description (a <br />few sentences) to League Communications Director Eva Spiegel via e-mail to <br />espieoe/@cacities.oro. Include your name, phone number and e-mail with the description. <br /> <br />Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff <br /> <br />Visit (and bookmark!) the League's Leoislative Resources Web page <br />(www.cacities.oro/leQresources). You'll find a roster and contact information for the League's <br />legislative staff; the online Bill Search program, background materials on lobbying your <br />legislators, and more. <br /> <br />9 <br />