The federal government is hoping to spark some new ideas for dealing with the need to reduce greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency is handing out grants to just over 20 communities across the country to develop new programs to cut energy use. YNN's Bill Carey says the Central New York Regional Planning Board is getting $500,000 of that federal money.

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"Climate change is real. It's here and now. Scientists across the world have tracked the change in temperature," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck.

The goal now is to turn $500,000 in federal seed money into local projects that can help local governments reduce their use of power that produces greenhouse gases.

Many projects are already underway, producing small amounts of energy using various bio-sources. Changing to more fuel efficient vehicles might help. Encouraging higher environmental standards for new construction.

Construction is obviously a big ticket item. But the grants also cover smaller projects in smaller communities. Things as simple as replacing the light bulbs in community fixtures to save money.

This new program is designed to try new steps that could serve as models for other communities across the country. The key is to ease the pain for local leaders in adopting new standards and new technologies. The easiest way to do that is to provide some new funding.

"I think that's where the incentive has come. It's basically, we have funding available that we can do these things," said Oswego County legislator Morris Sorbello.

The other key goal is to get local leaders thinking about new and different ways to ease energy usage, leading to new approaches and new technology, helping to fuel a local green industry.

"It is our future economy. It is our future jobs. As I said, green policies lead to green technology which lead to green dollars in our district. And that leads to green jobs," said Congressman Dan Maffei.

Nine communities across five counties will share in the new funding over the next three years.