While Congress debates climate and energy legislation, local governments are moving forward. In recognition of that fact, Mother Nature Network has named seven local leaders the country’s top “Eco-mayors.”

The seven represent diverse geographic and economic landscapes, with one thing in common:

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Franklin's electric car is drawing attention

Getting a parking ticket in Franklin, Tenn., just got a whole lot cuter. As part of the city’s “Go Green” effort, the Franklin Police Department purchased an electric car to enforce parking in the historic downtown area and nearby parking garages. continue

If you’ve been here before, you see it looks all different. We moved to a new host and a new template. The template promises a lot more flexibility for future development, but first we have to figure out its basics. Please pardon missing bits and the like while we learn.

San Francisco has approved the strictest composting law in the US, aiming to increase recycling from today’s 72% to 90%, save landfill space and costs, reduce methane generation, and create compost to return to gardeners and others. According to SFGate, this is part of fulfilling the city’s aim to be sending nothing to landfills or incinerators by 2020.

Eco Alternative Solutions, LLC is looking for 25 large US cities to participate in a no-cost 90-day trial of its Integrated Solar Series (ISS). ISS is an innovative solar-powered street light system. The company says ISS lights have been “vigorously tested” over the last year and half and placing lights in 25 selected cities will provide data from different ambient conditions.

The solar unit replaces the city’s current lighting system on 30 foot utility poles commonly used on residential and busy streets. Solar power is stored in batteries, and at dusk the the unit powers up white or yellow LEDs for 8 to 12 hours of lighting. continue

Creating a green team can be easy. Here’s how a staff member in Missoula,
Montana did it, along the team’s 25 top ways to save money, energy and resources.

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ICLEI Webinar: How to Make Your School Buses Cleaner

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA has a free webinar for anyone in local government  on How to Make Your School Buses Cleaner this Friday, June 5 at 1-2 p.m. Eastern

You can learn how to make your school buses cleaner, more efficient, and reduce harmful pollution associated with diesel exhaust. Get the tools and resources needed to start a program in your school district to:

• Complete technology retrofits on school buses to burn diesel more efficiently;
• Switch from petroleum diesel to a biodiesel blend; and
• Reduce vehicle idling around school buildings.

The webinar will introduce three toolkits (click to get them immediately) designed to help your school district.  Each toolkit contains a step-by-step guide, fact sheets, outreach materials, case studies, and more.

A few days before the event, participants will be sent an email with instructions on how to participate in the webinar.  You will need a computer with internet access and a phone.