LANCASTER, Calif., May 15, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The City of
Lancaster is proud to announce that Mayor R. Rex Parris has been presented the "Green
Mayor of the Year" award at the 2024 VerdeXchange Conference. This
prestigious award was presented by LA County Supervisor
Kathryn Barger, recognizing Mayor
Parris for his outstanding contributions to environmental
protection and sustainability advancement.
The 2024 VerdeXchange Conference, which brings together
innovators in the green and clean energy sector to explore
transformative climate infrastructure investments, recognized Mayor
Parris for his exemplary work in leading Lancaster's initiatives in clean and green
energy innovation; his success as a mentor to the U.S. Department
of Energy's H2 Cities program; for Lancaster's role as a founding city of the
Pacific Hydrogen Alliance; and for the City's success in attracting
a large number of hydrogen projects to the City. Mayor Parris'
forward-thinking initiatives have positioned Lancaster as a pioneer in renewable energy and
hydrogen technologies.
Mayor Parris' long list of achievements in the space
include:
- Oversaw the investment of over $2B in solar energy since 2009;
- Created Lancaster Choice Energy, a program offering green
energy to Lancaster residents at
reduced costs;
- Helped develop a clean energy market in the city, which became
the first net-zero energy city in the U.S. in 2019;
- Spearheaded new energy-centric partnerships with companies like
Toyota and the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems
(ARCHES);
- Initiated the collaboration with Hawai'i County and
Namie Town in Japan as part of the Department of Energy's H2
Twin Cities program where
Lancaster and Namie Town serve as mentors for Hawai'i County
in hydrogen development known as the Pacific Hydrogen
Alliance;
- Generates more green jobs and, in turn, economic growth as
projected to benefit the city and region
"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition as a leader in
sustainability," Mayor R. Rex Parris
stated. "This award reflects the groundbreaking achievements in
environmental and energy initiatives that Lancaster and our partners have made. We are
at the beginning of an exciting journey, and I am eager to see how
much further we can push the boundaries of innovation and
sustainability for the betterment of our community and the
world."
About The City of
Lancaster
Lancaster
is a diverse community of nearly 170,000, leading the future
through science, technology, art, culture, and collaboration. Home
to astronauts, rocket scientists, families, and innovative
businesses large and small, we are leading the USA with innovation. Combined with spectacular
landscapes and clean air, Lancaster has the confidence, expertise,
spirit, and imagination to transform tomorrow. We are: Creating a
better tomorrow. Visit us at www.cityoflancasterca.gov.
Media Contact
press@cityoflancasterca.gov
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SOURCE City of Lancaster,
CA