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Cambridge, MA: On the Way to Becoming America's Greenest City
June 28, 2007
Cambridge, MA...Cambridge, the area's constant leader in innovation and technology, recently announced plans of becoming America's greenest city. Cambridge is the first city to make such an aggressive move with green initiatives, establishing goals to cut carbon emissions through new innovative ideas, changing the way we think about energy consumption in America.
The Cambridge Energy Alliance (CEA), a privately funded, non-profit organization and a $100 million cross sector conservation initiative with the primary objective of reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions from the city by 150,000 tons by 2011. Designed to cut electricity demands by 15% and reduce annual electricity and water consumption by 10%, the CEA will also install new "renewable and clean energy" technologies that lessen electricity usage during peak times.
If Cambridge meets its goals, energy specialists predict this endeavor will not only have reduced annual carbon emissions by 150,000 tons, but will also have established a precedent by which other cities will be measured for years to come.
Robyn Bell, the Executive Director of the Cambridge Office for Tourism, is thrilled with the city's commitment. "I am so pleased to see Cambridge once again taking the lead in another innovative venture. The city has really banded together in this commitment, with cooperation from several tourism entities that are supportive to this cause."
The City has several partners with these green initiatives. Two organizations in particular have helped to make Cambridge's transformations possible, the Cambridge Climate Protection Plan (CCPP) and the Cambridge Climate Leader Program (CCLP). The Climate Protection Plan, developed by the Climate Protection Task Force and City staff, is determined to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below the 1990 levels by 2010. This initiative plans to tackle issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, waste production, transportation and land use in order to achieve its goals.
The Climate Leader Program works in conjunction with the Cambridge Climate Protection Plan. This partnership allows for Cambridge businesses and organizations to be part of the community-wide effort to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. The following tourism institutions have committed to the Climate Leader Program:
Inn at Harvard
Irving House
Ole Mexican Grill
Cambridge Brewing Co.
Cambridge is dedicated to continuing its own emission reduction efforts, and to publicly recognize the efforts and accomplishments of Climate Leaders. Further, the City will work towards developing programs to support the Climate Leaders.
Other non-tourism, Cambridge companies committed to The Climate Leader Program, include:
Genzyme Center
Pfizer
Camp, Dresser & McKee Camp Dresser & McKee
Shire Human Genetic Therapies
Abt Associates
Three Whole Foods Markets, located at Prospect Street, River Street, and Fresh Pond
Cambridge has a long history of remaining on the cutting edge of innovative green initiatives, including the first hybrid car service, PlanetTran, offering modern, clean, and environmentally friendly pick-up and drop service to Logan airport and other city points was launched in 2004 in Cambridge.
Cambridge has stepped it up, standing as the nation's leader in green friendly initiatives.
Christina Pappas | Open the Door Inc
617.536.0590 | cpappas@openthedoor.biz
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