Mayors recognised for local climate action leadership

Fresno’s Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio is a combined 27 megawatt-direct current (MWdc) portfolio of on-site solar energy and battery storage systems at three energy-intensive facilities:

• Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility
• Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility
• Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility.

The project at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility is the single largest commercial behind-the-meter solar and battery storage system of its kind in the United States gaining both national and international attention. The systems will generate over 47 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year and will help to avoid 26,000 tons of CO2 annually.  The savings to taxpayers are estimated at more than $120m by 2045.  

“In 2020, only 1.7 per cent of the electricity used at city facilities came from renewable sources. This year, we will exceed 46 per cent.  This combined with our energy efficiency projects, puts us on track to surpass our 50 per cent renewable energy goal,” said Dyer.

“This award is not just a recognition of what we’ve built – it is a recognition of who we are. Fresno is a city that believes in innovation. A city that believes in partnership. And a city that believes in building a healthier, more sustainable future for every resident.”

The large city honourable mentions are:

Austin mayor Kirk Watson – Austin Climate Implementation Plan

Boston mayor Michelle Wu – Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance;

Fort Wayne mayor Sharon Tucker – Heat Mapping and Neighbourhood Intervention Programme

Miami mayor Eileen Higgins – Building Efficiency 305

Rochester (MN) Mayor Kim Norton – Thermal Energy Network. 

The small city honourable mentions are:

Hallandale mayor Joy Cooper – The Cloud

Issaquah mayor Mark Mullet – Resilience Hub Network

La Crosse mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey – Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance

Pico Rivera mayor Gustavo V Camacho – Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

Redmond mayor Angela Birney – Advancing Climate and Housing Goals Through Residential Decarbonisation.

“These awards call attention to the innovation and strong leadership of U.S. mayors, who continue to address our nation’s growing climate challenges and shape an energy future that keeps our communities safe, healthy and more sustainable,” said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and executive director.

 “These mayors and so many others demonstrate everyday how local action is a difference-maker, and such efforts serve as a powerful reminder that continuing mayoral leadership is critical to securing this future. We thank Walmart for its longstanding partnership and commitment to the nation’s mayors.”

Full descriptions of the 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award winning programs can be found at this link: www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/2026awards.