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![\"Marilyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ALJ-L-MAYOR-COL-0301-1A.jpg\")
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez \u2014 BANG archives)\u00a0<\/p>\nGood news for Alameda! At this week\u2019s 94th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Long Beach, I accepted the group\u2019s 2026 Mayors\u2019 Climate Protection Award for Alameda\u2019s community-wide Equitable Building Decarbonization Plan.
\nMarilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez \u2014 BANG archives)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Danielle Mieler, Alameda\u2019s sustainability and resilience manager, also attended the awards ceremony because her tireless work led to the implementation of this important plan. The Mayors\u2019 Climate Protection Award program, now in its 20th year, highlights how cities are working to achieve a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.<\/p>\n
Alameda won the Small City category (for cities with populations of less than 100,000) for its work to integrate clean electricity, policy and incentives to address buildings and transportation. Key innovations include affordability through low rates and rebates; building codes that embed electrification into routine upgrades; a cross-department working group; and a comprehensive electrical vehicle (EV) strategy combining rebates, curbside charging and public infrastructure.<\/p>\n
This equity-centered program ensures that renters and underserved communities also benefit and creates a scalable model for other cities. Alameda\u2019s comprehensive, community-wide decarbonization program is anchored by Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), which was established in 1887, originally known as the city\u2019s Bureau of Electricity and is the oldest municipal electric utility west of the Mississippi. Since 2020, AMP\u2019s electricity has been generated by 100% clean, carbon-free sources, including geothermal, hydroelectric and wind energy.<\/p>\n
Key components of Alameda\u2019s decarbonization program include electricity at rates 45% below neighboring investor-owned utilities; rebates for electric appliances (heat pumps, induction cooking, smart thermostats) and transportation (such as used EVs, e-bikes and chargers); adopting supportive building codes and reducing permit fees; encouraging electrification during remodels and replacements; expansion of curbside and public EV charging; creating an interdepartmental Electrification Working Group; community outreach, including the annual Home Electrification Fair; and adoption of the Equitable Building Decarbonization Plan and 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP).<\/p>\n
All of these initiatives are improving our environment while protecting Alameda residents and businesses from fossil fuel price volatility. As an island for which sea level rise is an existential threat, Alameda recognizes the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as demonstrated by CARP\u2019s ambitious goal to reduce GHGs 50% by 2030.<\/p>\n
In Alameda, transportation is the largest GHG source, followed by natural gas use in buildings. To date, Alameda has reduced community-wide GHG emissions 29%, even as the Island saw growth in residents and employees. We are clearly on track to achieve our goal of a 50% reduction by 2030.<\/p>\n
Also, natural gas use on the Island has declined 12% since 2005, meeting our 2030 goal five years early. Transportation emissions are decreasing too as a result of EV adoption supported by rebates and charging expansion. Currently, 11% of registered vehicles in Alameda are zero-emission (the 2030 target is 12%). Efficiency and electrification are lowering overall energy use and, with 100% clean electricity, each electrification measure delivers immediate emissions reductions.<\/p>\n
As I told the U.S. Conference of Mayors, \u201cAlameda is further demonstrating how renewable energy can provide a reliable and nonpolluting source of electricity to power our cities and showing how clean power can help stabilize \u2014 and even reduce \u2014 electricity costs for the public and businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
The unsheltered: In other good news, the city of Alameda achieved a 46.8% reduction in homelessness between 2024 and 2026. Every two years, communities across the country conduct counts of individuals experiencing sheltered (living in temporary housing) and unsheltered (living on the street, in cars, or tents) homelessness.<\/p>\n
This \u201cPoint-in-Time Count\u201d (PIT Count) is federally mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This year\u2019s community-wide PIT Count was conducted on Jan. 22.<\/p>\n
Alameda\u2019s reduction in homelessness is particularly gratifying because we have worked hard as a community to create and support a strong network of programs, partnerships and direct outreach efforts to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with employment opportunities, healthcare resources and pathways to permanent housing.<\/p>\n
This outcome was made possible as a result of our hard-working, dedicated city staff and partners, including the Warming Shelter, Dignity Village, Alameda\u2019s Day and Night Center, the Safe Parking Program, Street Engagement Team, CARE Team, emergency supportive housing and Alameda Family Services.<\/p>\n
Our progress was also made possible by the compassion and generosity of community members \u2014 from Girl Scout troops and school groups to faith-based organizations and concerned individuals who said, \u201cHow can we help?\u201d and stepped up to volunteer.<\/p>\n
The 2026 PIT Count results reflect the city\u2019s meaningful progress over the past two years to address homelessness effectively and compassionately. We remain committed to continuing this progress going forward, because we must.<\/p>\n
Register with STEP: If you\u2019re planning to travel overseas this summer or any other time, be sure to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you leave.<\/p>\n
This free service of the U.S. State Department lets U.S. citizens and nationals enroll their trip abroad (passport number, contact information, itinerary) so the embassy or consulate at your destination(s) can accurately and quickly contact you if an emergency such as a natural disaster, civil unrest or a family crisis occurs back home.<\/p>\n
You can also get updates about health, weather and safety tips for your destination. To enroll visit mytravel.state.gov<\/a>. Be Energy Efficient! Be a Smart Traveler! Be \u201cAlameda Strong!\u201d<\/p>\n