Roanoke City Council Member Rupert Cutler joined Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), John Kerry (D-MA) and local officials from Florida and South Carolina to urge support for policies that will create jobs and build a strong, clean energy economy in the Southeast.
The Senate briefing was part of Local Climate Action Week, which brought dozens of local leaders from across the county to Capitol Hill last week, to advocate for comprehensive energy and climate legislation that will help local governments create green jobs and reduce carbon pollution. Warner called efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions a “job creator.”
Virginia officials highlighted local government projects, supported by federal stimulus funds, that are creating new jobs, saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “The City of Roanoke and other local governments are leaders in improving building codes, encouraging renewable energy, and creating other incentives to reduce energy use in commercial and residential buildings, which account for more than 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Cutler.
The City of Roanoke has undertaken several energy saving measures that have reduced carbon emissions by 1.7 percent. These include using bio-diesel fuel in its vehicle fleet, recycling methane gas to help power its regional wastewater treatment plant and installing efficient lights and heating and cooling systems in city facilities. The city has also reduced the real estate tax rate for energy-efficient buildings, exempted approved solar products from taxation, installed a free trolley downtown and provided free public transportation for students.
(Submitted brief)
