Today, on June 4, at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCOM) 94th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, I accepted the USCOM’s 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award for Alameda’s Community-wide Equitable Decarbonization Program. Alameda’s Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Mieler also attended the awards ceremony because her tireless work led to the implementation of this important plan.
The Mayors’ Climate Protection Award program, now in its 20th year, highlights how cities are working to achieve a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Alameda won the Small City category (for cities with populations under 100,000) for its work to integrate clean electricity, policy, and incentives to address both 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 EV strategy combining rebates, curbside charging, and public infrastructure. This equity-centered program ensures renters and underserved communities also benefit and creates a scalable model for other cities.
Alameda’s comprehensive, community-wide decarbonization program is anchored by Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), established in 1887, originally known as the Bureau of Electricity, and the oldest municipal electric utility west of the Mississippi. Since 2020, AMP’s electricity has been generated by 100% clean, carbon-free sources, including geothermal, hydroelectric, and wind.
Key components of Alameda’s decarbonization program include electricity at rates up to 45% below neighboring investor owned utilities; rebates for electric appliances (heat pumps, induction cooking, smart thermostats) and transportation (used EVs, e-bikes, 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). All of these initiatives are improving our environment while protecting Alameda residents and businesses from fossil fuel price volatility…