Every year, communities across California experience more severe and frequent impacts from climate change. Local governments are leading the way to increasing resilience and improving health and equity for all communities through innovative climate action solutions. This week at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo, the Institute for Local Government (ILG) is recognizing the cities of Fresno, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Pico Rivera, and Costa Mesa for their commitment to advancing climate resilience in their communities.
For over 15 years, ILG’s flagship Beacon Program has encouraged, supported, and recognized voluntary action by local governments throughout California to address climate change, promote energy innovation, and create more sustainable communities. Annually, the Beacon Awards honor the voluntary efforts by cities, counties, and special districts that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy, and adopting policies that promote sustainability.
“California cities work every day to mitigate climate impacts and make their communities safer and healthier for the residents they serve,” said Erica L. Manuel, CEO and Executive Director of the Institute for Local Government. “We are honored to celebrate these innovative leaders as they make strides to address energy, transportation, and infrastructure challenges, and collaborate with neighboring agencies to move the needle and make California more resilient for all.”
The Beacon Leadership and Innovation Awards honor local governments’ efforts to implement collaborative, inclusive and equitable climate resilience, and adaptation programming. This year, ILG recognized the cities of Fresno, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Pico Rivera, and Costa Mesa with Beacon Leadership and Innovation Awards.
- The City of Fresno was recognized for leadership in climate resilience and adaptation for their Citywide Energy and Sustainability Program that is responsible for implementation of key strategies identified in the city’s Climate Action Plan including energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.
- The City of Sacramento — jointly with Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) — was recognized for cross-agency collaboration for developing the Sacramento Transportation Infrastructure Adaptation Plan or “SacAdapt,” a comprehensive evaluation of how current and future extreme weather events (such as flooding, heat, and severe storms) impact the transportation system, including transit operations and multi-modal mobility.
- The City of San Luis Obispo was recognized for equity and engagement for their efforts to increase access to electrification options for low-income residents, particularly those residing in manufactured homes.
- The City of Pico Rivera was recognized for innovation in energy for establishing PRIME, its Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, as a locally governed electricity provider capable of making energy decisions that directly benefit its residents and businesses and give the community greater control over its energy future.
- The City of Costa Mesa was recognized for innovation in clean transportation for its “Let’s Go Costa Mesa” Program which offers on-demand point-to-point transportation services in high demand areas in electric vehicles.
In addition to the Leadership and Innovation awardees, we are excited to honor the cities of Coronado, Gardena, Manhattan Beach, Martinez, Mill Valley, Pico Rivera, Rolling Hills Estates, and Walnut Creek, and the Town of Tiburon with Beacon Spotlight Awards for their efforts to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and implement sustainability best practices.
The Beacon Program is free and open to cities, counties, and special districts in all stages of climate action planning and implementation. Currently, over 180 California cities, counties, and special districts participate. For more information about the Beacon Program, visit www.ca-ilg.org/BeaconProgram. For a complete list of participant achievements, please visit www.ca-ilg.org/award-winners.
About the Institute for Local Government
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit training organization founded by the League of California Cities. ILG’s programs, tools and resources support thousands of local agencies across the state. ILG provides capacity-building services, technical support, partnership development, and educational resources to elected officials and staff. This support helps local leaders make informed policies, plans, and decisions around climate planning, land use, housing, infrastructure, and engagement that result in more equitable, sustainable, and resilient communities.
About the Beacon Award Winners
City of Fresno
Leadership and Innovation Award — Leadership in Climate Resilience and Adaptation
To find out more, visit www.fresno.gov/publicworks/
City of Sacramento
Leadership and Innovation Award — Cross Agency Collaboration in Climate Adaptation
To find out more, visit www.ca-ilg.org/beacon-award-
City of San Luis Obispo
Leadership and Innovation Award — Equity and Engagement in Sustainability and Climate
To find out more, visit www.ca-ilg.org/beacon-
City of Pico Rivera
Leadership and Innovation Award — Innovation in Energy
To find out more, visit www.ca-ilg.org/beacon-
City of Costa Mesa
Leadership and Innovation Award — Innovation in Clean Transportation
To find out more, visit www.costamesaca.gov/