U.S. goes local for green energy plans

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Local U.S. officials representing some 87 million people signed onto a climate protection agreement to help push green energy alternatives, officials said.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors met for a seminar in San Francisco to discuss efforts under way in California to use federal funds for green energy alternatives.

Tom Cochran, the executive director of the mayoral conference, told the delegates that local economies were the driving force behind the need to stimulate the economy through energy efficient programs.

"Mayors understand that a successful plan in this country for reducing U.S. energy consumption is grounded in local action, in our cities, counties and regions," Cochran said in his prepared remarks.

A block grant issued by the U.S. Department of Energy allocates $2.8 billion to cities to help with a green economic recovery.

Gavin Newsom, the Democratic mayor of San Francisco, said the stimulus funds were providing revenue to overhaul the energy needs of more than 100 buildings in his city.

"More importantly, these energy efficiency projects create and sustain green jobs, save people money on their utility bills, and cut the city's carbon emissions by more than 3,000 tons a year," he said.