OntheWilderSide

U.S. Conference of Mayors to Host 2nd National Summit on Energy and the Environment Oct. 26 to 27, Atlanta, Ga.

As concern grows nationally about global warming and its impact on the environment, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), led by Conference President Michael A. Guido and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, is hosting its 2nd National Summit on Energy and the Environment: Implementing the 2030 Challenge, on Oct. 26 and 27 in Atlanta. Increasingly, city leaders and city residents are becoming aware of the urgency to take action to mitigate the impact of global warming through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that have been linked to climate change. In the United States, the building sector is a major consumer of fossil fuels, and therefore, contributes significantly to the climate change problem.

Buildings account for nearly half of the energy used in this nation. At the Conference’s Annual Meeting in June, the nation’s mayors adopted a resolution calling for all new buildings in the U.S. to be carbon-neutral by the year 2030, meaning new buildings will not use fossil fuel emitting energy. It is estimated that if mayors can achieve this goal, greenhouse gas emission levels will be potentially reduced to the point where the negative impact of global warming can be reversed.

This summit will bring together mayors, business leaders, developers, retailers and architects from across the country to identify specific strategies so that America’s cities, businesses and the design community can achieve the goals of the 2030 Challenge and create a sustainable green America through building efficiency.

Some of the topics of discussion will include: Sustainable Approaches to Green/Energy Efficient Buildings; Creating Incentives for Going “Green;” Promoting “Green” Residential and Commercial Buildings; Tour and Discuss Atlanta’s Nationally- Recognized Achievements with “Green” Buildings.

The Home Depot Foundation, a leading organization that promotes energy efficient, sustainable affordable housing and healthy community design, is the title sponsor for the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2nd National Summit on Energy and the Environment.

Highlights of the Meeting:

(All meetings are in the Grand Hyatt Hotel unless otherwise noted)

Thursday, Oct. 26:

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. — Opening Luncheon (Library, Lobby Level)

— The Greening of Atlanta, Mayor Shirley Franklin

— Keynote Speaker: Edward Mazria, AIA, president, Mazria Inc. Odems Dzurec

2 p.m. — Press Conference (Cascade Room)

Mayors will give an overview of the Energy/Environment Summit and release a new study showing the impact of energy costs on household budgets, as well as forecasts the nation’s projected energy expenditures for commercial and residential buildings.

2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Sustainable and Profitable Residential Development (Grand Ballroom One)

Local Atlanta Developers will highlight how they were able to build green, energy efficient residential and affordable housing that is both profitable and reduces homeowners’ energy bills.

4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. — Meeting the 2030 Building Challenge Through Design, Ratings and Innovative Programs (Grand Ballroom One)

Mayors will find out what programs and tools are currently available to assist in their efforts to encourage energy efficiency/green building design and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Friday, Oct. 27:

8 a.m. to 10 a.m. — The Arthur M. Blank Family Office Building (Off-Site Meeting) (3223 Howell Mill Rd)

One of Atlanta’s Nationally-Recognized “Green Buildings”,

— Remarks: Arthur M. Blank and Stephanie Blank, the Arthur M. Blank Foundation

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. — What Local Governments Are Doing (Grand Ballroom One)

Mayors will learn from each other what they can do and the money that can be saved by making municipal buildings more energy-efficient and carbon neutral.

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. — Closing Luncheon (Grand Ballroom One)

Providing Incentives: How Cities and the Private Sector Can Work Together to Go Green. This session will focus on how local governments can work with commercial and residential developers to provide incentives to go “green.”

Implementing the 2030 Challenge: What Resources/Tools Are Available? This interactive session will assist mayors in identifying potential financial resources and tools that are available for cities to implement energy-efficient and carbon neutral buildings.

WHO:

The U.S. Conference of Mayors

Dearborn, Mich., Mayor Michael A. Guido, U.S. Conference of Mayors president

Atlanta, Ga., Mayor Shirley Franklin, host

Tom Cochran, executive director, U.S. Conference of Mayors

Industry Experts

WHAT: 2nd National Summit on Energy & Environment (This Meeting is Open to the Press)

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 26 and Friday, Oct. 27

WHERE: Grand Hyatt Hotel — Buckhead, 3300 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

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