San Jose Mayor unveils 10-point strategy to make city greener
San José, Calif., Mayor Chuck Reed earlier this month unveiled his “Green Vision for San José,” a 15-year-plan that aims to solve environmental problems, grow the local economy and make the city the world's hub of clean technology innovation.
Article Tools
Advertisement
“The people of San José and Silicon Valley have changed the world,” Reed said. “With our history of innovation and environmental stewardship as a foundation, San José will become the world’s center of innovation in clean, green technologies. Our goals for innovation, sustainability and green mobility are bold and comprehensive. I believe that in 15 years, we can succeed and build a better future for our children, our residents and the world.”
The plan outlines 10 goals that address energy consumption, water use, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. The goals are:
- Create 25,000 clean technology jobs. To achieve this, Reed's
plan calls for government incentives and services “at every
stage of growth” to encourage clean technology firms to stay
and grow in San José. His plan also calls for partnerships
with local universities, job training for local residents and
legislative changes to support the growth of the clean tech
industry.
- Reduce per-capita energy use by 50 percent. The plan calls for
the city government—which has reduced its energy consumption
by 200 million kilowatt-hours since 2001—to partner with
residents, entrepreneurs and civic groups to encourage the adoption
of energy-efficient products such as energy monitoring systems and
green roofs.
- Receive 100 percent of electrical power from clean renewable
sources. The city aims to supply 10 percent of Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger's goal of 1 million solar roofs in California. The
plan also calls for the city to support power-purchase agreements,
helping to facility the procurement of solar energy
technology.
- Build or retrofit 50 million square feet of green buildings.
The city recently opened what it claims is the first green
community center and has “adopted aggressive standards for
green-building practices for city facilities.” According to
Reed's plan, the city will work with “private-sector partners
to ensure sustainable commercial and residential
construction.”
- Divert 100 percent of waste from landfills and convert waste to
energy. Instead of sending 712,000 tons of garbage to landfills
every year, Reed's vision calls for “partnerships with
innovative companies” to convert solid waste and biosolids
into biodiesel, methanol, biogas and electricity.
- Recycle or beneficially reuse 100 percent of wastewater (100
million gallons per day) through water conservation, expanded use
of recycled water and habitat protection.
- Adopt a general plan with measurable standards for sustainable
development.
- Ensure that 100 percent of public fleet vehicles run on
alternative fuels. “To develop a system of green
mobility,” the plan says, “we must reduce reliance on
single-occupant vehicles and ensure that alternative transportation
is efficient, convenient and environmentally sustainable. By
focusing on long-term land-use planning, reducing emissions from
vehicles, embracing clean transportation technology, creating smart
green streets, providing pedestrian and bicycling opportunities and
creating a green airport, San José will achieve its vision of
green mobility.”
- Plant 100,000 new trees and replace 100 percent of the city's
streetlights with smart, zero-emission lighting.
- Create 100 miles of interconnected trails.
Municipal efforts include installing solar on city buildings
Strategies to make the city government greener and more cost-efficient include installing solar on city buildings and retrofitting facilities to be greener. San José City Council earlier this year adopted some of the nation’s most aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for municipal operations. The city has set a goal that all new municipal facilities be built to achieve LEED-gold certification.
Reed noted that San José—which is the nation's 10th largest city—was one of the first communities in the nation to develop curbside recycling. He added that San José leads the nation in diverting waste from its landfills.
“As we have in the past, San José can do the research and development necessary to show the cities of the world how to become clean and green,” Reed said. “Over the next 15 years, we can cut our per-capita electricity usage in half and get 100 percent of our electrical power from clean renewable sources. We will demonstrate that energy efficiency saves money and is worth the upfront investment.”
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2009 Penton Media Inc.
Advertisement
Online Resources
Free Webinar: Learn How to Increase Office Productivity and Generate Additional Revenue
Learn about the considerations to take into account when implementing e-citation and how you can continually prove ROI on and e-citation system at a free online Webinar. Register now.
eNews
Maryland County Aims to Juice Up Energy Efficiency in its Buildings
Prince George's County in Maryland has inked a deal with Pepco Energy Services that could provide more than $4 million in energy savings for county facilities over the 14-year life of the project... Read Now.
- Webinars
- News
- Videos
- eNews
- eCards
- Jobs
- RSS
Featured Products
Facilities
Single-stage compressor
The 7500 S-energy Series with Energy Efficiency System (EES) heat recovery is Sullair's most energy-efficient single-stage compressor...
Fleets
Thinking locally
Beginning in 2003, strategic sourcing became a well-traveled buzzword in government procurement circles, winding its way through state capitals across...
Green
Hybrid system produces high-gloss barrier for concrete
Bellatrix water-based hybrid system provides dual actions of penetrating and topical protection for previously densified concrete. When used in conjunction...
Grounds
Remote connectivity for mulcher
Remote connectivity is available on Model FTX440 crawler mulchers. Systems information can be viewed from almost anywhere...
Parks & Rec
Riding mower
The Z Master Z595-D zero-turn riding mower offers landscape contractors a proven high-torque diesel engine with added horsepower for tackling tough mowing conditions...
Public Safety
ADA-compliant handrail system
Kee Access safety components are used to build handrails that meet ADA requirements. ...
Public Works
Drywall screwdrivers durable silent-clutch design reduces noise
Model BFS450 18-volt LXT lithium-ion cordless drywall screwdriver delivers 4,000 rpm. Durable silent-clutch design in forward mode reduces driver noise....
Technology
Tunable laser system
Opolette HR integrated tunable laser system incorporate a diode-pumped, true-solid-state (DPSS) laser as the pump source. ...
Single-stage compressor
The 7500 S-energy Series with Energy Efficiency System (EES) heat recovery is Sullair's most energy-efficient single-stage compressor...
Thinking locally
Beginning in 2003, strategic sourcing became a well-traveled buzzword in government procurement circles, winding its way through state capitals across...
Hybrid system produces high-gloss barrier for concrete
Bellatrix water-based hybrid system provides dual actions of penetrating and topical protection for previously densified concrete. When used in conjunction...
Remote connectivity for mulcher
Remote connectivity is available on Model FTX440 crawler mulchers. Systems information can be viewed from almost anywhere...
Riding mower
The Z Master Z595-D zero-turn riding mower offers landscape contractors a proven high-torque diesel engine with added horsepower for tackling tough mowing conditions...
ADA-compliant handrail system
Kee Access safety components are used to build handrails that meet ADA requirements. ...
Drywall screwdrivers durable silent-clutch design reduces noise
Model BFS450 18-volt LXT lithium-ion cordless drywall screwdriver delivers 4,000 rpm. Durable silent-clutch design in forward mode reduces driver noise....
Tunable laser system
Opolette HR integrated tunable laser system incorporate a diode-pumped, true-solid-state (DPSS) laser as the pump source. ...
Resource Center
Government TV Video Gallery
Check out Government TV
Tune in daily to see company video programs, product demonstrations, reports from industry trade shows and interviews with newsmakers
Featured Video:
-
LOAD AND PACK Refuse Vehicle
For parks, beaches, amusement parks and areas where conventional automated packer trucks can't maneuver.
Featured Suppliers
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

What You're Saying