Washington, D.C., is among 20 cities being awarded support for its work to reduce carbon emissions.
D.C., Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were announced Sunday as the latest winners in the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. Each will receive a support package valued at up to $2.5 million.
The $70 million program aims to help cities accelerate plans to fight climate change. It's backed by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The winning cities say the support will bolster initiatives in areas including bicycle infrastructure, solar power and energy improvements in large buildings.
They join six other winning cities announced in an earlier round. Others will be announced this fall.
D.C. Mayor Murield Bowser attributed the award to her administration's "innovative and ambitious climate action plans to reduce air pollution and District-wide emissions."
Bowser's adminsitration will use the award toward the implementation of the Clean Energy DC plan, according to a release.
The release says Bloomberg Philanthropies will work with D.C. to achieve the following actions by 2020:
- Develop and launch a building energy performance standard for large buildings, to support the city’s goal of net-zero carbon buildings by 2050
- Launch the DC Green Bank that Mayor Bowser established in July, aligning its new financing programs with existing strategies to incentivize energy efficiency and renewable energy and accelerate building performance improvements
- Encourage residents and commuters to use alternative transportation by improving service, adding new mobility options and expanding cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
Bloomberg says the federal government is "asleep at the wheel" on climate change, leaving cities to play a larger role.
