Stimulus Funding News: View our Preparation Checklist, plus updates on EPA Clean Diesel funding and DOE Clean Cities funding
Events and Trainings: New ICLEI trainings on inventory data collection and our Energy Office Initiative
Members in Action: La Plata and Durango, CO, Knoxville, TN, Somers, NY, and Los Angeles, CA, are making headlines
Capital Corner: Cap-and-trade debate begins 

ICLEI USA continues to add resources and breaking news to its Stimulus Funding Updates page (www.icleiusa.org/stimulusfunding). Bookmark this page and explore it to help guide your local government's efforts. Here's what's new:

Stimulus Preparation Checklist: Follow our checklist of actions to apply for imminent funding through the Energy Efficiency and Community Block Grant Program (ICLEI members only)

ICLEI webinar recap: Did you miss our Feb. 26 briefing on the stimulus? Listen to an audio recording or view the Powerpoint slides.

DOE Clean Cities update: Funding is now available; apply by 5/29.

EPA Clean Diesel funding update: EPA is expected to release its RFP for the National Clean Diesel Campaign soon. Learn the latest during the ICLEI/Climate Communities conference call this Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern.

EPA webcast: Join EPA tomorrow for "Using EPA Resources to Maximize Clean Energy in Recovery Spending"

>> Learn More About These Opportunities

As federal leaders begin to debate climate policy, now is the time to make your voice heard by joining ICLEI and Climate Communities in Washington, D.C., on May 18-20 for the Local Climate Leadership Summit. We will meet with key federal leaders and encourage them to empower and resource local climate action.
>> Learn More

The time is ripe to engage your community members on their top-of-mind issues: the economy, energy, and climate change -- and how you're addressing these issues locally. Join the National Conversation on Climate Action! New event resources are now available, including a planning guide and promotional materials.
>> Learn More

ICLEI/Climate Communities Friday Conference Call
Join us to learn the latest on EPA Clean Diesel funding, with Jennifer Keller at EPA.
March 6, 2 p.m. Eastern

ICLEI Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Protocol Training Series
Get trained to use ICLEI's new stationary-source and mobile-source data collection forms to complete a local government operations inventory.
March 19, 1 p.m. Eastern

Introductory Webinar: ICLEI Energy Office Initiative
Get an overview of how to establish a local government energy office that saves energy, cuts costs, and helps fund climate and sustainability goals.
April 14, 1 p.m. Eastern

La Plata County and City of Durango, CO, Share Planning Process for Climate and Energy Action Plan

Somers, NY, Joins ICLEI, Looks Toward Goals

Los Angeles, CA, Other ICLEI Members, Dominate List of Cities With Most Green Buildings

Knoxville, TN, Others, Preparing for a Flood of Energy Efficiency Spending

Long Island, NY, Carbon Footprint Measurement Under Way

Stimulus Controls Vital, But What About Results? (mentions ICLEI and ICLEI members)

President Obama has made clear his intentions to push for federal climate legislation. But will it be cap-and-trade, or cap-and-dividend, and will it happen in 2009? Learn how local governments can play a key role in its development, and how they can benefit from it.

Also, earlier this week, 10,000 students descended on Washington, D.C., for Power Shift 09, to push for bold action on climate policy and clean energy. Learn how you can tap their enthusiasm in your local community. All in this week's Capital Corner.

>> Read More

ICLEI USA is pleased to welcome five new members to our 2009 Board of Directors. We look forward to their insight and expertise as ICLEI USA continues to grow.

• Commissioner Roger Dickinson of Sacramento County, CA
• Mayor Oscar Goodman of Las Vegas, NV
• Mayor Robert Cluck of Arlington, TX
• Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan of Gainesville, FL
• Mayor Frank Cownie of Des Moines, IA

We would also like to thank former mayors Mark Begich of Anchorage, AK, and Heather Fargo of Sacramento, CA, who no longer serve on the board due to election results.

“[Our solar financing program] will be the city's biggest contribution to fighting climate change. We're very proud to get this up and running." --City of Berkeley, CA, Mayor Tom Bates, in a San Francisco Chronicle article

• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide
• Recycling and Solid Waste Guide
• Revolving Energy Fund Guide

The ICLEI network welcomes the following new local governments:

• Arvin, CA
• Avenal, CA
• Hartford, CT
• Parlier, CA
• Rolling Hills, CA
• Topsham, ME