Announced
by the White House during Smart Cities Week, the U.S. Department of Energy is
launching the Better Communities Alliance (BCA), a groundbreaking collaborative
effort among local governments, philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and leading
private companies to accelerate local clean energy progress and leadership
across the country. Richmond is one of 60 partners and
affiliates joining and announcing their commitments.
With 87 percent of total U.S. energy to
be consumed in cities by 2030, America’s local governments are stepping up to
the challenge. Through the BCA, city and county leaders are making commitments
to reduce the wasted energy in homes and buildings, expand renewable energy and
sustainable transportation options for their residents and businesses, harness
new energy-saving technologies, and invest in resilient power systems and
community infrastructure.
As part of the Better Buildings
Initiative, the BCA will support Richmond in achieving
their clean energy goals and making their communities cleaner, healthier,
smarter, and more economically competitive. In addition, the BCA will deliver
new clean energy resources and technical assistance to local governments, and
improve community access to DOE’s existing clean energy expertise and resources. It will also
create actionable dialogues and peer exchange between public and private
partners to identify opportunities for collaboration and progress.
There
are 34 local governments serving 40 million Americans that are committed to the
BCA and working to accelerate local clean energy progress and bolster
leadership. Local government partners will receive streamlined access to Department of Energy clean energy resources, opportunities to apply for resources, access to forums
for peer networking and expert dialogue, and federal recognition of clean
energy achievements.
