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Municipalities
Local governments play a critical role in addressing climate change. Many decisions regarding land use, building practices, transportation, and waste management and recycling are made at the local level. These decisions impact energy use in the community and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Many communities in our region and nationwide have begun taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- EPA Region 5 Community Climate Change Network
- EPA Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Partnership Programs
- Region 5's Community Climate Change Initiative
- Community Climate Change Initiative Partners
- Municipal Franchise Agreements with Gas and Electric Utilities
- Local Climate and Energy Program
EPA Region 5 Community Climate Change Network
Local governments can join the EPA Region 5 Community Climate Change Network. Our network provides information and opportunities about energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction to municipalities, as well as access to a network of other like-minded communities that are taking action on climate change. To join, please send an email with your contact information to Erin Newman (newman.erin@epa.gov).
EPA Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Partnership Programs
Region 5 encourages municipalities to take advantage of the free resources available through EPA's energy efficiency and climate change partnership programs. EPA partnership programs help communities address climate change while protecting human health and the environment, enhancing local economies, and reducing energy costs. These programs also help meet commitments in the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and other climate change programs.
- Measure your buildings' energy use, make improvements, and save money with ENERGY STAR
Contact Audrie Washington (washington.audrie@epa.gov) at 312-886-0069 - Reduce and recycle municipal waste with WasteWise
Contact Jacob Hassan (hassan.jacob@epa.gov) at 312-886-6864 - Use Combined Heat and Power to reduce energy costs in your schools, district heating systems, or water treatment systems
Contact Alexis Cain (cain.alexis@epa.gov) at 312-886-7018 - Purchase clean energy with the Green Power Partnership
Contact Alexis Cain (cain.alexis@epa.gov) at 312-886-7018 - Conserve water and energy with WaterSense
Contact Cary McElhinney (mcelhinney.cary@epa.gov) at 312-886-4313 - Get energy from your landfill with the Landfill Methane Outreach Program
Contact Swarupa Ganguli (gangli.swarupa@epa.gov) at 202-343-9732
Region 5's Community Climate Change Initiative
In 2009, EPA Region 5's Community Climate Change Initiative (C3I) called on communities to join one of the six EPA climate change partnership programs listed above. C3I allowed Region 5 to increase the number of municipalities in EPA climate change partnership programs from 41 to 76. We want to recognize our former and new C3I partners. Region 5 also encourages your community to join an EPA's energy efficiency and climate change partnership program.
New Community Climate Change Initiative Partners in 2009
- Illinois: Alton, Bellwood, Carbondale, Des Plaines, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Gilberts, Hoffman Estates, Niles, Oak Park, Orland Park, Rock Island, Schaumburg, Urbana, Warrenville and Westmont
- Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Michigan City, and West Lafayette
- Michigan: Delta Township and Kalamazoo
- Minnesota: Apple Valley, Falcon Heights, Oakdale, Northfield, Roseville, Sauk Rapids, and St. Cloud
- Ohio: Cleveland, Columbus, East Palestine, and Rittman
- Wisconsin: Bayfield and Waukesha
Community Climate Change Initiative Partners
(Members of EPA Partnership Programs prior to July 2009)
- Illinois: Chicago, Galena, Highland Park, McHenry County, Northbrook and Springfield
- Indiana: Carmel, Fremont, Gary and Richmond
- Michigan: Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, and Lansing
- Minnesota: Buffalo, Jackson, Mankato, Maplewood, and St. Paul
- Ohio: Centerville, Cincinnati, Dayton, Dublin, Hudson, Rockford, Struthers, Upper Arlington, and Xenia
- Wisconsin: Fitchburg, Green Bay, Lake Delton, Little Chute, Madison, Milwaukee, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Onalaska, Pound, Rhinelander, Stoughton, and Wausaukee
Municipal Energy Policy: Franchise Agreements with Gas and Electric Utilities
Most municipal governments have franchise agreements with gas and electric utilities that give the utility the right to operate in the municipality and to use public land for distribution infrastructure. A study funded by EPA Region 5 finds that franchise agreements represent a largely unused opportunity for municipalities to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, and that some franchise agreements even create disincentives for energy efficiency.
Utility Franchise Agreements Summary Report (PDF) (48pp, 131K) December 2009
Attachment 1 - Illinois Municipalities Serviced By ComEd (PDF) (13pp, 416K) December 2009
For more information about municipal franchise agreements, contact Alexis Cain (cain.alexis@epa.gov) at 312-886-7018.
Local Climate and Energy Program
EPA's Local Climate and Energy Program is an informational network that supports local governments' efforts to use clean energy strategies to advance community priorities. The network provides access to tools and information for addressing climate change in your community.
