St Pete Green City Initiatives on 97xonline.com

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City of St. Petersburg, Florida
Florida’s First Designated “Green City”

First Designated “Green City” in the State by the Florida Green Building Coalition – Green Cities Initiative

Revision of city mission statement to include focus on the environment
Formed partnerships with Florida Green Building Coalition, US Green Building Council, Florida League of Cities, Florida League of Mayors, ICLEI, National League of Cities, Environmental Protection Agency, Center for American Progress and the Governor’s Team on Energy and Climate Change
Mayor’s Green City Action Accord
Florida Main Street Designation
Blue Wave Beach – National Clean Beaches Council
Clean Marina – Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Tree City USA – Arbor Day Foundation

Energy
Traffic lights – converting incandescent to LED’s; 66% energy savings
Hybrid vehicles/Flex fuel vehicles
Compact fluorescent lights in facilities

Water Resources
One of the first and largest reclaimed water systems in the country
Storm water runoff pre-treatment initiatives
DropSaver Program and other education programs
Toilet Rebate Program
Water rate structure that gives incentives for conservation/less use
Watering restrictions
Alternative sources for potable water; Tampa Bay Water; surface water, desalination, deep well injection of non-reclaimed/treated wastewater

Streetscaping
Over 15,000 trees planted in the last six years, $2 per capita each year
Flowering Tree Program – native species
City USA Tree City Award – Arbor Day Foundation – 20 years consecutively
Ordinance in place that protects trees
Sanitation
Recycling
Drop-off recycling centers; conveniently located at shopping centers, churches, etc.
Yard waste recycling centers (18-20%)
Cardboard, newspaper (8-10%)
Pinellas County Resource Recovery Plant (Refuse to Energy Plant)

City Trails
Largest trail system to be implemented in Southeast (55 of 90 miles completed)
Reduce hydrocarbons

Fleet
Compressed Natural Gas Station
Vehicles maintained for Fuel efficiency and emissions
Recycle waste oil, antifreeze, etc.
Use environmentally friendly cleaning solvents
Hybrid vehicles

Parks/Preserves
Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Clam Bayou Nature Preserve – expanded land (to 140+ acres) and established Nature
Study Center with USF. Comprehensive preserve enhancement project underway
Weedon Island Preserve – 3700 acre preserve; established Environmental Study Center with Pinellas County
Blue Trails – canoe and kayak trail program
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
   Expanded land
   Created Environmental Study Program and Environmental Education Center
   Lake Maggiore Clean Up
Weeki Wachee Property – 430 environmentally sensitive acres sold to SWFMD
Interest from sales invested in other park, preservation, beautification & recreation programs
Charter Amendment passed 1984; Now 140+ parks on 2292 acres
Chemicals used are approved; licensed applicators
Reclaimed Water
Green Thumb Festival

Power Plants Bartow Power Plant converting to natural gas
Pinellas County Resource Recovery Plant (Waste to Energy Plant) – electricity for approximately 45,000 homes
Illegal Dumping Program
Lakewood & St. Petersburg High Schools – photovoltaic panels offsetting school’s daily energy
Tampa Bay Estuary Program - cohesive effort by all local municipalities/governments and the private sector focused on reducing nitrogen discharges into Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Watch – non-profit organization; organizes youth and community projects aimed at protecting and restoring Tampa Bay; salt marsh planting projects, bird islands, oyster beds, etc.

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