The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee's failure to fund a new Energy Efficiency Block Grant program has the Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) "shocked and dismayed,” USCM President and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said in a statement Wednesday. "We are allocating local funds to [reduce carbon emissions from energy use] absent a national investment from Washington," Diaz said.

While the grant program was approved last year, the Climate Security Act, which included funding for the bill, stalled in the committee last month. "Instead of funding this critical block grant program for cities, counties and states [that would fund energy conservation and alternative energy programs,] the panel approved a mere $50 million in discretionary funds that ultimately will result in precious earmarks for a precious few," Diaz said. "If the Senate allows this action to stand, it will be another glaring example of how Washington is out of touch with the American people, and ignores the dire need for national investment that is required now."