Issues > March/April 2006 (#113) > The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2006

The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2006

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4. St. Paul, MN (score 7.805, pop. 287,151)

With a quarter of its area given over to green space, St. Paul almost seamlessly integrates urban life with the natural environment. And this will improve as the city charter not only ensures the protection of parkland but requires expanding public access to the Mississippi River which winds through the city. Working to reduce global warming, St. Paul has passed its 1997 goals in CO2 emissions-reduction goals and now plans to reach a 20 percent reduction of 1988 C02 levels by 2020. To achieve this, Rick Person, program administrator for St. Paul's Department of Public Works, says the city will need to complete its central corridor light-rail system and adopt a 20 percent renewable energy portfolio. To assist residents in installing renewable energy, the state provides property tax exemptions for the value of the system, and St. Paul's Neighborhood Energy Consortium (NEC) provides assistance and expertise in obtaining Energy Efficient Mortgages. Helping reduce congestion and smog, NEC's Hourcar program provides hybrid and energy-efficient cars at neighborhood level for shared use. Lastly, St. Paul's requirement that 20 percent of all new housing units be affordable by those with incomes less than half of the area median ensures that these environmental benefits will remain available to all.

5. Santa Rosa, CA (score 7.785, pop. 147,595)

Fifty-five miles north of San Francisco, Santa Rosa provides clean air, water and a healthy environment for residents, with its smoke-free public spaces and restaurants. Enhancing these elements, Santa Rosa has implemented California's Build It Green certification program certifying environmentally sound building construction for municipal, commercial and residential sectors. The program's goal is for more than half of all new municipal building starts of over 10,000 square feet to meet or exceed LEED certification requirements. Well equipped with bicycle paths and lanes, Santa Rosa has recently finished a walking and bicycle trail connecting to the Joe Rodota Trail that leads to nearby Sebastopol. And for a novel way to reconnect with nature, stroll among the native California Gray Rush plants in the Snoopy Head labyrinth at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center.

6. Oakland, CA (score 7.3675, pop. 399,484)

Oakland has taken a progressive stance on renewable energy, adopting a plan to achieve 50 percent renewable energy by 2017. Now it's turning its attention to food, with the Oakland Food Council setting a goal for 30 percent of the city's food production to occur within a 100 mile radius. Bringing those goods into the city are six farmer's markets, while seven community gardens help production right at home. With multi-family housing making up most of Oakland's new building, the city's Green Building Ordinance passed in 2005 will encourage them to achieve LEED Silver rating with rebates and permit fast-tracking. To create a denser downtown and reduce pollution from traffic, Oakland is encouraging 10,000 new residents to move into the downtown area where they'll have access to the city's subway, bus and bicycle path systems. The proof is in the pudding, with 20 percent of Oakland residents commuting by bicycle or public transport.

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