Riverside Honored for Sustainable Activities

RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Riverside has achieved "Silver" status as a California Green Community for its commitment to sustainability.  Riverside is one of only four cities to be honored by California Green Communities for its efforts.

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Representatives from the Environmental Media Association (EMA), Southern California Edison (SCE) and Green Seal – founding partners in California Green Communities – will present the honor to the Riverside City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m.

"We created California Green Communities to showcase what cities are doing to improve the quality of life for their residents," said EMA President Debbie Levin.  "Riverside is a leader among southern California cities who are modeling sustainable practices for others."

California Green Communities is a community-based effort that encourages cities to adopt environmentally sound practices involving energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, renewable and alternative fuels, efficient transportation and other activities.  Cities develop unique action plans to identify projects and activities they will implement to reach Silver, Gold and Platinum status in the program.

To reach the Silver level, Riverside completed many initiatives including the creation of the Whole House Rebate program allowing customers to upgrade the efficiency of their homes through a one stop shop program. Other initiatives including diverting 69% of their waste through programs like a multifamily recycling can be seen on www.GreenRiverside.com.

"We are delighted to be recognized by California Green Communities with the Silver status.  The California Green Communities Challenge program has given us a terrific opportunity to share, and learn, 'best practices' with our fellow green cities from all over the state," said Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge.

Created in November 2009, California Green Communities is an environmental recognition program that fosters innovative ways for participating cities to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption, while building vibrant, sustainable communities.

In addition to Riverside, the cities of Claremont, Monrovia and Santa Clarita have reached California Green Community Silver status.  Other cities participating in the program – Culver City, Los Angeles, Redlands, San Gabriel, Santa Monica, Simi Valley and Ventura – are making progress towards certification as well.  City action plans can be viewed at www.CaGreenCom.org.  More cities in Southern California are expected to join the program in 2012. 

Numerous other companies and organizations, such as Toyota, Alliance for Climate Education, Clean Environment Company, e-Recycling of California, The Energy Coalition, Kellogg Garden Products, Lifecycle Global and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps have joined SCE as California Green Communities partners to support participating cities.

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  up to 64,000 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.

www.RiversidePublicUtilities.com       www.GreenRiverside.com      www.BlueRiverside.com

SOURCE City of Riverside