The Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee (CEEPC) recently held its 100th meeting and celebrated the region’s progress on climate action. CEEPC was created by the COG Board of Directors in 2009 to provide leadership on climate change, energy, green buildings, alternative fuels, solid waste, and recycling issues. The committee is also tasked with supporting area governments as they work together to meet the region’s climate goals.

CEEPC is made up of representatives from COG’s member governments, state environmental, energy, and transportation agencies, state legislatures, federal and regional agencies, electric and gas utilities, environmental organizations, business organizations, and members of the academic community.

Past CEEPC members were in attendance and touted COG’s important role in convening climate leaders to share expertise and best practices, while CEEPC members shared proud climate moments and Earth Day plans.

Even with a growing population, officials noted how far the region has come in mobilizing climate planning and action since the committee was first formed. The region met its 2020 goal to reduce GHG emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels, and COG has been recognized by the Global Covenant of Mayors for its climate and energy initiatives with members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Regional progress includes the installation of over 93,000 rooftop solar units, providing one gigawatt of energy, and the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles, which approached 336,000 as of 2023. COG’s greenhouse gas fact sheets offer more details.

The region has made substantial progress to date, with the acknowledgement that more needs to be done to meet the 2030 GHG reduction goal. A forthcoming status report will provide greater details on the region’s progress.

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COG’s 2030 Climate and Energy Action Plan