The Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is again trying to rally support behind legislation that would create an Energy Efficiency Block Grant (EEBG) program. The House is now considering the bill.

If passed this time, the EEBG program would provide $2 billion annually to local governments with energy conservation programs. USCM President and Trenton, N.J., Mayor Douglas Palmer says the legislation is “long overdue.” “We now live in a world where our energy dependency increasingly threatens our economic and national security, and it is time to confront this new reality before it is too late,” Palmer said in a statement. USCM has posted letters supporting the bill on its Web site, www.usmayors.org.