by Ken Rosenfeld

Energy issues dominated much of the fall meeting of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources (EENR) steering committee in Phoenix, resulting in a number of policy initiatives.

The committee, chaired by Councilmember Dena Mossar of Palo Alto, Calif., is calling for a slight but significant reorganization of the EENR chapter in the National Municipal Policy.

The proposed changes include moving existing language on climate change to a more prominent position, and promoting the use of all energy sources by removing outdated references to ?conventional? and ?alternative? sources. The goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions was added to several sections, while new language would promote a number of tax incentives related to energy efficiency.

Related to emissions, the committee also considered Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, and recommends asking for an expansion of the number and classes of vehicles that are subject to regulation.

Outside of energy, the committee discussed federal land sales, prompted by an Administration proposal for a large-scale sale to fund a rural schools program. That proposal was widely criticized by many sectors of the public earlier this year and now appears to be dead.

The committee recommends new policy language asserting the sentiment that public land is held for the benefit of all. Specifically, language would be added to consider local impacts of sales, offer local governments the right of first refusal, and state that public lands should never be sold for the purpose of short-term financial gains.

The committee voted to renew several current resolutions, and is forwarding new resolutions for consideration on plug-in hybrid vehicles, coal tar sealant and zero energy capable homes.

The committee also used its meeting to discuss water issues. It heard from local speakers on the challenges faced by Arizona?s Verde River watershed, and received a presentation on a new public awareness campaign from the American Water Works Association titled ?Only Tap Water Delivers.?

The steering committee will next bring its recommendations to the full EENR Policy and Advocacy Committee, which will meet Dec. 6 at the Congress of Cities and Exposition in Reno, Nev.

Details: To learn more about the EENR policy and advocacy committee, go to NLC?s website at www.nlc.org.