Mountain View, Calif. — At the Tuesday, Oct. 28 City Council meeting, the City of Mountain View was recognized as a climate action leader by the Institute for Local Government (ILG). Earlier this month, ILG awarded the City with a 2025 Beacon “Leadership and Innovation” Award in the “Innovation in Energy” category. The award recognized the City for its Zero-Emission Landscaping Training and Tool Lending Library program at the Day Worker Center of Mountain View.
“The City is honored to receive the Institute for Local Government 2025 Beacon Leadership and Innovation Award for Innovation in Energy,” said Mayor Ellen Kamei. “Through our partnership with the Day Worker Center, we launched a landscaping training and tool lending program that expands skills, promotes clean energy, and creates a healthier environment for workers and the community. The innovative program helps day workers expand their skills, increase economic opportunity, and advance electric landscaping adoption.”
“No matter where you live in this great state, climate impacts and threats like extreme precipitation, wildfires, drought, and extreme heat are increasing,” said Erica L. Manuel, ILG’s CEO and executive director. “This award is just one way we thank and celebrate our local government partners for their proactive efforts in developing innovative solutions to make California more sustainable and resilient.”
The City provided nearly $20,000 to fund a zero-emission electric landscaping training and tool lending library program. The Day Worker Center led the program design, developing a program that would meet the specific needs of the community and the Center’s landscaping professionals. Utilizing the City funding, the Day Worker Center purchased electric leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, and pole head trimmers. The Center organized two informational sessions and a hands-on training in English and Spanish for their landscape worker clients, who learned how to use electric landscaping tools safely and effectively. Landscape workers received an electric tool certification by the American Green Zone Alliance upon completing their training.
Through the Tool Lending Library, residents seeking landscaping services may reserve electric tools for use if they work with a landscape professional from the Day Worker Center. The Tool Library went live on Feb. 5, 2024, and it continues to be active. Landscape workers at the Day Worker Center have completed a total of 488 hours of work using the electric tools, serving 129 employers in the community. The program has reduced pollution, eliminating 232 pounds of toxic emissions every year by using battery-powered tools instead of gas ones.
In addition, using electric tools also means no more gas spills. The program has averted an equivalent of 10 gallons of spilled gas each year. The program has reduced greenhouse gases, at a rate of 835 pounds of carbon dioxide avoided per year. Aside from reducing pollution and emissions, the program has also reduced noise. The electric tools are up to four times quieter than gas ones.
The “Leadership and Innovation” Award is one of the highest recognitions from ILG through their well-renowned Beacon Program. On Oct. 8, the City was acknowledged at the League of California Cities Annual Conference for leading on climate action efforts and creating a more sustainable community. Mountain View Vice Mayor Emily Ann Ramos and Councilmember John McAlister were in attendance and accepted the award on behalf of the City.
Mountain View is one of only five local government agencies statewide to achieve a 2025 Leadership in Innovation Beacon Award.
For more information about the City’s environmental efforts, visit the Sustainability and Resiliency webpage.
View this release in Spanish and Chinese
About the Institute for Local Government’s Beacon Program
Currently, over 180 cities, counties, and special districts throughout the state participate in the Institute for Local Government’s Beacon Program. ILG established the Beacon Program to provide recognition and year-round support for California local agencies that are working to build more vibrant and sustainable communities. The Beacon Awards honor voluntary efforts by cities, counties, and special districts that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy, and adopting policies that promote sustainability. For more information about the Beacon Program and current participants, visit www.ca-ilg.org/BeaconProgram.
