Athens-Clarke Mayor Kelly Girtz

Athens-Clarke Mayor Kelly Girtz to Address Federal Freeze Threatening Local Clean Energy Projects

politics
June 18, 2025•3 min read

Athens-Clarke Mayor Kelly Girtz to Address Federal Freeze Threatening Local Clean Energy Projects

ATHENS, GA — In a decisive show of local leadership, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz will join Georgia State Representative Spencer Frye and other key voices Tuesday morning to confront a growing concern: a federal freeze on funding that could severely stall or dismantle Athens’ momentum in clean energy innovation and climate action.

The press conference will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Athens-Clarke County Library on Baxter Street, drawing together elected officials, business leaders, health professionals, and concerned citizens under a united cause—protecting Athens’ clean energy future.

Federal Inaction Threatens Local Progress

The event, sponsored by the Climate Action Campaign, comes in response to what advocates are calling an alarming and unnecessary pause in federal funding for climate and clean energy programs. These funds—previously funneled to states and municipalities through landmark federal climate legislation—have been instrumental in driving progress in sustainable energy, emissions reductions, and energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades across the nation.

In Athens, that progress is now in jeopardy.

Mayor Girtz, a long-time proponent of environmental responsibility and green economic development, has helped shepherd numerous clean energy initiatives forward by leveraging federal funding streams. These include efforts to retrofit municipal buildings for energy efficiency, expand solar access to low-income residents, and support workforce development in the clean energy sector.

“The halt in these funds threatens real progress,” said Girtz in a prepared statement. “We’re not talking about abstract policy—we’re talking about jobs, health outcomes, and our children’s future.”

Broad Community Impact and Growing Concern

Joining Mayor Girtz will be State Representative Spencer Frye, another local leader with a strong environmental voting record. The conference will also feature remarks from Don Moreland, founder and owner of Bright Spaces, a Georgia-based solar development company helping communities transition toward renewable energy.

The ripple effects of this funding freeze are being felt not just in energy policy circles, but throughout the Athens community. Local health experts are expected to address how delays in climate action exacerbate public health risks—particularly for vulnerable populations impacted by extreme heat, air pollution, and poor housing conditions.

Ordinary citizens—homeowners, students, environmental advocates, and small business owners—are also anticipated to attend, offering testimonials about how these funds have improved lives or how stalled projects are impacting their homes and neighborhoods.

Athens as a Model for Southern Climate Leadership

Athens-Clarke County has become a shining example of climate-conscious leadership in Georgia, consistently punching above its weight in progressive sustainability policy. The county’s Sustainability Office, established under Girtz’s leadership, has outlined ambitious plans to make Athens 100% renewable-energy-powered by 2035.

Those plans, however, rely heavily on continued support and funding at the federal level. Without it, much of the infrastructure and programming necessary to reach those targets may be delayed indefinitely—or abandoned altogether.

What’s Next?

The news conference aims to raise awareness, build pressure on federal officials, and rally local residents around the cause of reinstating climate funds immediately. Organizers from the Climate Action Campaign say they hope to elevate Athens’ story as a cautionary tale—and a rallying cry—for other municipalities facing similar freezes.

“This is bigger than one city,” said one campaign organizer. “But Athens is showing the rest of the country what standing up looks like.”

Mayor Kelly GirtzAthens GeorgiaClarke County
Tom Hoffman is a veteran journalist and the grizzled heart of the Athens Chronicle, where he has reported for over four decades. Known for his dogged determination, sharp pen, and old-school ethics, Tom has become a local legend in Athens, Georgia—a storyteller with ink in his veins and justice on his mind. Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachians, Tom’s career began in the early 1970s covering labor disputes and civil rights marches across the South. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, he cut his teeth chasing city corruption, corporate scandals, and courtroom dramas, earning the respect of readers and colleagues alike. Tom’s signature style is hard-hitting yet deeply human. He has a unique ability to uncover hidden truths while giving voice to the voiceless. Over the years, he’s won numerous state press awards, not for chasing accolades, but because of his relentless pursuit of the truth—often filed from the back booth of his favorite Athens diner, a legal pad in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other. Now semi-retired but still sharp as a tack, Tom focuses on longform pieces that probe deep into regional politics, environmental concerns, and working-class issues. His voice remains a trusted pillar in the community—gravelly, wise, and unwavering. When he's not chasing a lead or editing copy with a red pen, Tom can be found tending his garden, feeding the stray cats that wander onto his porch, or telling stories that are too wild to print—but all of them true.

Tom Hoffman

Tom Hoffman is a veteran journalist and the grizzled heart of the Athens Chronicle, where he has reported for over four decades. Known for his dogged determination, sharp pen, and old-school ethics, Tom has become a local legend in Athens, Georgia—a storyteller with ink in his veins and justice on his mind. Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachians, Tom’s career began in the early 1970s covering labor disputes and civil rights marches across the South. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, he cut his teeth chasing city corruption, corporate scandals, and courtroom dramas, earning the respect of readers and colleagues alike. Tom’s signature style is hard-hitting yet deeply human. He has a unique ability to uncover hidden truths while giving voice to the voiceless. Over the years, he’s won numerous state press awards, not for chasing accolades, but because of his relentless pursuit of the truth—often filed from the back booth of his favorite Athens diner, a legal pad in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other. Now semi-retired but still sharp as a tack, Tom focuses on longform pieces that probe deep into regional politics, environmental concerns, and working-class issues. His voice remains a trusted pillar in the community—gravelly, wise, and unwavering. When he's not chasing a lead or editing copy with a red pen, Tom can be found tending his garden, feeding the stray cats that wander onto his porch, or telling stories that are too wild to print—but all of them true.

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