Mountain View has received an award from the civic nonprofit organization Institute for Local Government for its leadership in clean energy innovation.
The city acknowledged the 2025 Beacon Leadership and Innovation Award in Innovation in Energy during the Oct. 28 city council meeting. The city received the accolade for its zero-emission landscaping training and tool-lending library program at the Day Worker Center of Mountain View, a nonprofit which directly connects workers in construction, landscaping, housework, promotions and events with employers.
“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,” Mayor Ellen Kamei stated in a city press release. “The innovative program helps day workers expand their skills, increase economic opportunity and advance electric landscaping adoption.”
The city provided $20,000 to fund the purchase of electric leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, chainsaws and pole head trimmers available at the center. The center organized hands-on training in English and Spanish and gave electric tool certifications to the students. Residents could then rent the electric tools through the tool lending library if they worked with a certified professional from the Day Worker Center.
The tool library went live on Feb. 5, 2024. Workers have completed 488 hours of work with the electric tools for 129 employers, according to the press release. An estimated 232 pounds of toxic emissions were reduced using the battery-powered tools.
Mountain View is one of five local government agencies to receive the 2025 Leadership in Innovation Beacon Award. City officials accepted the award on Oct. 8 at the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
There are 180 cities, counties and special districts statewide that participate in the Beacon Program. The awards recognize voluntary efforts by cities, counties and special districts that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and adopting policies that promote sustainability.
“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,” stated Erica L. Manuel, Institute for Local Government CEO and executive director, in a press release.
