State Declares Riverside an ‘Emerald City’

RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ — Forget Oz, there’s no place like Riverside!

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070427/LAF045LOGO)

The California Department of Conservation recently announced that Riverside will be the first city in the state to be designated an “Emerald City” in its Emerald Cities Pilot Project. This recognition is for sustainable green initiatives and commitment to help the state achieve multiple state environmental priorities.

The state designation will be formally announced Tuesday at the city council evening session in Riverside.

“We chose Riverside because of extraordinary efforts in sustainable activities in many environmental areas, including renewable energy,” said Bridgett Luther, director of the California Department of Conservation. “At the end of the pilot, DOC will create an implementation ‘road map’ to help cities move toward a more sustainable future. It will help California cities achieve what Riverside is already close to achieving.”

According to state officials, Riverside will be one of two cities in the pilot project that will gauge their sustainable land uses and development principles; energy conservation and efficiency; water conservation and quality; environmental health of citizens; air quality; and waste reduction and recycling rates. The City of Tracy in Central California is the other city.

“This didn’t happen by accident,” said Riverside Mayor Ronald Loveridge. “Our Green Action Plan was not created to sit on a shelf for show; it’s a real-world guideline for our environmental future. It brings government, businesses and the community together to achieve a cleaner, greener Riverside.”

Every city department has had a hand in the Emerald City claim, said Riverside’s Sustainability Officer Mike Bacich.

“Riverside Public Utilities, Public Works, Parks, General Services — to name a few — have worked together to get Riverside to this point,” he said. “We are all working on this together.”

For Riverside’s Green Action Plan, go to: http://www.riversideca.gov/utilities/pdf/gp/actionplan-aug.pdf

Established in 1895, Riverside Public Utilities is a consumer-owned water and electric utility governed by a Board of nine community volunteers that provides high quality, reliable services to over 106,000 metered electric customers and 63,400 metered water customers throughout the City of Riverside. The Utility is committed to increased use of renewable energy resources and sustainable living practices that help reduce environmental impacts within the City of Riverside and the state of California. For more information on our green events, go to: www.greenriverside.com.

SOURCE Riverside Public Utilities