News

California Declares Riverside An "Emerald City" For Sustainable Green Initiatives

February 01, 2009 by Jeff Shepard

The California Department of Conservation has announced that of 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.

"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, We are all working on this together."