U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Summit in Seattle

In a November 2nd U.S. Conference of Mayors press release, the organization summarized the last day of the 2007 Mayors Climate Protection Summit, which was held in Seattle, Washington, and hosted by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Approximately 100 large city mayors attended the conference, stated the press release. The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming also held a special hearing in Seattle on the same day with congressional members traveling to Seattle and mayors already at the summit testifying at the hearing.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was to testify at the congressional hearing besides giving a keynote address at the mayors' summit on the last day of the summit. In addition, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke on the last day of the mayor's summit while Trenton, Miami and Seattle Mayors were to testify before the Congressional members. Mayor Doug Palmer is the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey as well as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz is another leader in the U.S. Conference of Mayors leader, stated the press release.

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors press release, mayors have been working closely with congressional leaders to expand energy projects already in existence and to create more such projects. Members of both groups are hoping to obtain an Energy Efficiency Block Grant for this purpose, the press release stated.

Conference President Doug Palmer was quoted in the U.S. Conference of Mayors press release as stating: "The time to act is now. America deserves strong leadership that will help us become energy independent, protect the environment and create good paying jobs."