Member Survey Results: Find out how fellow ICLEI members rate our organization, and what are their greatest needs and challenges
Funding Updates: Economic recovery updates from DOE and EPA
Events and Trainings: ENERGY STAR webinar, ICLEI emissions analysis training, Earth Day preparation webinars
Members in Action: New York tracks stimulus dollars; Atlanta, GA, releases inventory; Boulder, CO, clears the air

The results of ICLEI USA's 2008 Member Survey are in. We wish to thank all our members who submitted feedback that will help the ICLEI Network grow stronger and help ICLEI improve and target its services. Click the link below to learn the following:

• How local government members rate ICLEI's services
• What respondents agreed was their greatest challenge, and how ICLEI is responding
• What respondents rated as their top climate action priorities
• A list of the most pressing needs respondents identified as key to reaching climate action goals, and how ICLEI is responding
• The top measures respondents have already implemented

>> View the Survey Results

The 2009 Omnibus Bill contains additional funding—beyond the Recovery Act—for local governments to implement energy efficiency and climate action programs. View a list of potential EPA- and DOE-funded programs for you to tap.
>> Read More

Find fresh updates on ICLEI's Economic Recovery Funding page: EPA's local and state guide to ARRA resources, DOE Clean Cities funding update, EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Grants update, ICLEI's funding FAQs, and more.
>> Read More

EPA Webcast: ENERGY STAR Energy Efficiency Stimulus Funding Technical Assistance
TODAY, March 18, 1-2:30 p.m. or 3-4 p.m. Eastern

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

ICLEI/Climate Communities Friday Conference Call
Join us for an update on federal weatherization grants. Next week: clean renewable energy bonds and qualified energy conservation bonds.
March 20, 2 p.m. Eastern

Webinars: Earth Day Event Planning and Follow-up

• Conference Call for National Conversation Hosts
  Share tips on event planning, promotion, and follow-up
  March 25, 1 p.m. Eastern
• Climate Culture Webinar
  Engage your community with a household carbon calculator April 1, 1 p.m. Eastern
• Climate Crossroads Webinar
  Engage your community with Climate Crossroads' networking tools
  April 8, 1 p.m. Eastern

Introductory Webinar: ICLEI Energy Office Initiative
Join us for a free overview on how to establish a local government energy office that saves energy, cuts costs, and helps meet goals. Note: This webinar is now FREE.
April 14, 1 p.m. Eastern

2009 Green Cities Conference and Expo
April 18-21, Portland, OR

National Conversation on Climate Action
Make your Earth Day event planning easy by joining the National Conversation.
April 22, locations nationwide

Local Climate Leadership Summit
Join local government leaders gathering on Capitol Hill to advocate for funding to create jobs and empower climate action, and to strengthen local-federal partnerships. Early-bird pricing ends March 28!
May 18-20, Washington D.C.

International Events:

• Fifth World Water Forum
  March 16-22, Istanbul, Turkey
• World Water Day
  Learn how local governments in the U.S. and worldwide are celebrating this day and drawing attention to water issues.
  March 22, locations worldwide
• ICLEI World Congress 2009
  June 14-18, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

New York Launches NYCStat Stimulus Tracker
Innovative tool reveals how dollars are being used

Atlanta, GA, Releases Emissions Inventory
Announcement coincides with sustainability report

Boulder, CO: Clearing the Air on City's Climate Action Plan
City Manager clarifies local government role in newspaper editorial

City of Houston, TX, Launches Innovative Automated Recycling Program
Pilot program will run for one year

Mayor of Phoenix, AZ, to Unveil Lofty 17-Point Green Plan
Ambitious strategies aims to make City carbon-neutral

City of Alameda, CA, Plans Zero Waste Implementation
Community workshops to identify programs and policies

Bay Area's 'Big Three' Mayors Sign Climate Change Pact
Leaders form Bay Area Climate Change Collaborative

Tompkins County, NY, Adds Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Amendments to Comprehensive Plan
View the County's aggressive emissions reduction goals

Getting Down to Business in Sustainability 2.0
Experts gather in Boulder, CO, to discuss the future of local sustainability efforts, especially for the Denver/Boulder/Ft. Collins corridor.

EPA's proposed rule on the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, released March 10, raises questions for local governments, including how the rule would fit with existing GHG inventorying. Get an overview of the proposed rule, and read EPA's Guide for State and Local Agencies.

>> Learn More

The American Council on Germany is currently seeking applications for the
2009 McCloy Fellowships in Environmental Affairs. Travel across the Atlantic for three weeks to undertake independent research and meet with your counterparts to foster professional and intellectual ties.

>> Learn More

“Imagine what we could accomplish at the Local Climate Leadership Summit: Several hundred local elected officials gathered on Capitol Hill, advocating for the resources to empower local climate action and showcase our leadership on these issues. This is an opportunity for all of us to work together to inspire action and achieve our common goals." --Frank Cownie, Mayor of Des Moines, IA, and ICLEI USA Board Member

• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide
• Recycling and Solid Waste Guide
• Revolving Energy Fund Guide
• Local Government Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Examples
  

The ICLEI Network welcomes the following new local governments:

• Golden Valley, MN
• Grover Beach, CA
• Palm Desert, CA
  
• Rancho Cucamonga, CA
• Rolling Hills, CA
  
• South Padre Island, TX
  
• Victor, NY