MIAMI -- Former President Bill Clinton declined to say when, or if, he would endorse Senator Barack Obama for president, ignoring that question after a speech on his foundation’s climate change initiatives to America’s mayors Sunday. Obama addressed the same conference a day earlier.

Hundreds of mayors attending the plenary session at the Hotel Intercontinental welcomed Clinton with a standing ovation that lasted almost two minutes.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has partnered with Clinton’s Climate Change Initiative foundation on a $5 billion loan program to retrofit buildings in 40 large cities with energy-saving features and equipment.

“I don’t believe we can bring the American economy back with $135 oil and $165 coal unless we all have a serious commitment to maximize energy efficiency, to maximum production of clean energy,” Clinton said.

Clinton said he expects a new presidential administration to will have new energy policies, but urged local governments to act independently at the local level. He said he backed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Obama's energy policy, which mandates a larger cut in greenhouse gas emissions than that of Senator John McCain, but said both are better that the current administration’s efforts.

Clinton said increased energy efficiency and independence is not only good for the environment, but good for the American economy and job creation.

“We have to create this as the greatest single opportunity for economic mobilization and prosperity this country has had since World War II,” said Clinton.

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, the conference host, sported a green tie for Clinton’s speech. His administration has been a leader in environmental change on a local government level.

“We’ve completely solar powered city hall, planted numerous trees; we’ve converted our fleets to hybrid fleets,” said Diaz.

Other South Florida cities have similar initiatives.

Coral Gables Mayor said his city is looking at how to expand public transportation. The city already offers a free trolley system.

Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis said his city’s efforts have the support of architects and builders.

"To build efficient buildings and reduce energy, the cost the owner or developer can reap off of reducing those energies is phenomenal,” said Ortis.

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