2010 Green City Report has Plenty to Share

Residents, businesses and institutions play a major role in helping Pasadena meet its sustainability goals, as outlined in the 2010 Green City Report. For example, the city’s water use dropped by 15 percent with the help of Pasadena ’s residents, workforce and visitors.

The report has plenty more to share.   Pasadena reduced its annual peak power demand by 4.45 megawatts, or the energy consumed by about 1,112 Pasadena homes, in part thanks to Water and Power customers who took advantage of rebate programs and incentives.  More than 100 new solar installations were completed citywide in 2010, allowing the city to reach a stellar milestone: 2 megawatts of solar power capacity installed.

Pasadena ’s Green City efforts are designed to create policies and practices that balance the social, economic and environmental needs of the present with those of future generations.

The fourth annual report shows Pasadena ’s progress in carrying out its Green City Action Plan.  Based on the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, the 2006 plan sets 21 specific goals in seven areas: energy, water, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation and environmental health.

Pasadena has completed eight goals, including the use of renewable energy to meet 10 percent of the city’s peak electric load by 2012; reducing per capita solid waste disposal by 20 percent by 2012; conducting an inventory of tree canopy coverage in the city; implementing a green building rating system that applies to all new municipal buildings; advancing higher density, mixed-use, pedestrian and bike-friendly neighborhoods; and protecting critical habitat corridors and key habitat characteristics from unsuitable development.

Pasadena also crafted a 25-year water supply plan in 2010 and linked transit information to Google and 5-1-1 for easy access.

The report supplies tips and future goals, such as solar panels on the Windsor Reservoir, lockable recycling bins and drafting a city Urban Climate Action Plan to help cut greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2030.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/greencity or call (626) 744-7546.