On June 4, opening day of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 94th Annual Meeting, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft was one of 12 U.S. mayors recognized for their local energy and climate protection programs [1]. Mayor Ashcraft accepted the 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award in the Small City category (cities with populations under 100,000) for Alameda’s Community-wide Equitable Decarbonization Program. This year marks two decades of partnership between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Walmart in recognizing outstanding mayoral leadership on energy and climate action.
[2]“Alameda is demonstrating how renewable energy can provide a reliable and non-polluting source of electricity to power our cities and showing that clean power can help stabilize — and even reduce — electricity costs for residents and businesses,” Mayor Ashcraft said. “While mayors have always been at the forefront of advancing clean energy technologies, Alameda is particularly honored to be recognized on the 20th Anniversary of these awards.”
Alameda’s Community-wide Equitable Decarbonization Program is anchored by Alameda Municipal Power [3] (AMP). As the oldest municipal electric utility west of the Mississippi, AMP provides 100% clean electricity at rates 45% below neighboring investor-owned utilities.
Key components of the program include:
- AMP rebates: Financial incentives for electric appliances including heat pumps, induction cooking, smart thermostats, used EVs, e-bikes, chargers, and more.
- Permit and code updates: Reduced permit fees for electric appliances and building code amendments that encourage electrification during remodels and replacements.
- City initiatives: An interdepartmental electrification working group and the expansion of curbside and public EV charging.
- Community outreach: Local engagement efforts, including an annual Home Electrification Fair.
- Strategic planning: The adoption of an Equitable Building Decarbonization Plan and the 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP).
“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 U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. “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.”
Amy Hill, Walmart’s Group Director for State and Local Government Relations, said “Walmart is pleased to be part of honoring the nation’s mayors and their innovation and creativity in finding local solutions to some of the pressing issues before us. On this 20th Anniversary, we are proud to honor this special group of mayors — and the others before them — who are doing their part to make our communities stronger and more regenerative.”
As part of the award, Walmart will make a contribution to a nonprofit in Alameda that helps foster sustainability in the community. Mayor Ashcraft and Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Mieler selected West End Arts District [4] (WEAD) as the recipient of the $15,000 contribution to help further their sustainability and climate arts programming and performances in Alameda, which in recent years have included Ocean Photographer of the Year [5], Ocean Arts 26 [6], DeepDIVE [7], Rising Tides Alameda [8], In Plain Site [9] and Somewhere to Land [10].
“West End Arts District is thrilled to receive this support for our climate arts programming,” said WEAD Executive Director Tara Pilbrow [11]. “Our work is deeply inspired by the leadership of the City of Alameda’s Sustainability and Resilience Division. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue working together to raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and spark meaningful action.”
Other noted programs
Small city honorable mentions went to Hallandale Mayor Joy Cooper for The Cloud; Issaquah Mayor Mark Mullet for Resilience Hub Network; La Crosse Shaundel Washington-Spivey for Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance; Pico Rivera Mayor Gustavo V. Camacho for Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; and Redmond Mayor Angela Birney for Advancing Climate and Housing Goals Through Residential Decarbonization.
The large city winner was Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer for Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio.
Large city honorable mentions went to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson for Austin Climate Implementation Plan; Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance; Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker for Heat Mapping and Neighborhood Intervention Program; Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins for Building Efficiency 305; and Rochester (MN) Mayor Kim Norton for Thermal Energy Network.
A full report of the 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards with complete descriptions of the award-winning programs is available online [12].