City of ABQ, Bloomberg Philanthropies Extend Climate Partnership Funding

The Keller administration’s significant progress on its climate goals is getting another boost, as the City and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a 6-month extension of their partnership through the American Cities Climate Challenge (ACCC). During the extension, Albuquerque will use the additional funding and access to resources and technical support to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while bringing too often ignored voices to the table for climate policy decision-making.

The ACCC began in January 2019 and has provided Albuquerque powerful new resources and access to cutting-edge support to help meet or beat its goals of achieving a net-zero electricity and reduced carbon footprint. Albuquerque is one of only 25 cities nationwide to be part of the $70 million program.

“Despite the challenges of COVID, we’ve taken big steps forward on climate change and energy over the past year. Our ambitious goals are part of our commitment to pass a cleaner, healthier Albuquerque on to future generations,” said Mayor Tim Keller.

Albuquerque has already met many of its goals as part of the Climate Challenge including:

• Beginning construction on Solar Direct, a 50 MW solar field that will help the City achieve more than 80% renewable energy for government operations by 2022 and be on track for 100% renewable energy by 2030;
• Implementing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) first policy for all city fleet vehicles;
• Receiving funding for 24 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations throughout Albuquerque;
• Developing a scope for energy performance contracting to perform deep energy efficiency retrofits and retro-commissioning municipal facilities; and,
• Launching the Mayor’s Energy Challenge to help small and medium businesses reduce their energy consumption while saving money.

Albuquerque will continue to work with national experts to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions, increasing community-wide EV adoption, and working on climate legislative priorities.