Mayors Recognized for Leadership on Renewable Energy, Climate Resilience

San Francisco and Colton Mayors Win Top Climate Awards

TAMPA, Fla., June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As growing energy demand and climate change continue to pose significant challenges for cities everywhere, eleven U.S. mayors were recognized today for their local action, with each winning a 2025 Mayors' Climate Protection Award. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and his CleanPowerSF program and Colton Mayor Frank J. Navarro and his Urban Heat Resilience Program were the top award winners being honored at the opening day of The U.S. Conference of Mayors' 93^rd Annual Meeting.

The mayoral awardees are the 19^th group of mayors to receive a Mayors' Climate Protection Award from The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). These annual awards – supported through a partnership between USCM and Walmart – recognize mayors for their climate leadership.

"San Francisco has long been a leader in climate protection and a hub for innovative climate solutions and our CleanPowerSF program helps hundreds of thousands of households and businesses access clean, reliable electricity while reducing our city's emissions and building a more sustainable future," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. "It's an honor to receive this recognition for our program—thank you to The U.S. Conference of Mayors and to all my fellow cities and mayors for this Mayors' Climate Protection Award."

"In Colton, we've taken the growing threat of extreme heat seriously and responded with a comprehensive, community-first approach," said Colton Mayor Frank J. Navarro. "Our Urban Heat Resilience Program isn't just about planting trees—it's about protecting public health, lowering energy costs, and building a more equitable, sustainable city. Through strong partnerships, community engagement, and a clear vision, Colton is proving that even small cities can lead with climate solutions that deliver real, measurable impact."

"America's mayors recognize there is a compelling need for strong and continuing local action to shape an energy future that keeps our communities safe, healthy and more sustainable," said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director. "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."

"Walmart aims to be a regenerative company, working to embed sustainability, efficiency, and surety of supply across our enterprise and value chain. That approach is good for our business, our customers, and the planet," said Javier Angulo, Group Director for Community Relations for Walmart. "We are inspired by the leadership of mayors across the country for their commitment to this work as well, and their dedication to building stronger, more sustainable communities."

Lurie's CleanPowerSF program serves over 380,000 households and businesses with 100% clean, affordable, and reliable electricity while reinvesting revenues into local energy programs. The program has helped reduce the city's electricity sector emissions by 98 percent.

Colton's Urban heat Resilience Program is a comprehensive, multi-faceted climate adaptation effort that responds to the local impacts of climate change by expanding tree canopy, strengthening community partnerships, and implementing strategic climate planning. With proven benefits to public health, the environment, and the local economy, the program stands as a model for sustainable urban resilience.

LARGE CITY HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor – Food Scraps Drop-off Program; Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley – City Composting Program; Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird – Heat Pump Incentive Program; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego – PHX Sky Train; and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell – Residential Heat Pump Incentive Program.

SMALL CITY HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter – Tri-Cities Intergovernmental Agreement on Sustainability; Northglenn Mayor Meredith Leighty – CORE Green Building Certification; Piscataway Mayor Brian C. Wahler – Piscataway Goes Green; and Redmond Mayor Angela Birney – Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Vegetation Management.

Full descriptions of the 2025 Mayors' Climate Protection Award winning programs can be found here.

About the United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors