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Boston & Cambridge have been named to the top 10 list of Popular Science Magazine’s 50 most innovative cities in the United States. Boston ranked third and Cambridge sixth on the list of "greenest" cities in the United States. The list was based on criteria such as electricity use, transportation habits, air quality and recycling programs. Both cities are the only East Coast cities on this short list.
Boston & Cambridge have aggressive initiatives to increase their eco-friendly status. As of January, 2007, the Boston Zoning Commission requires projects over 50,000 square feet to be designed and planned to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards at a "certifiable level". This has put Boston on the map to become the first city in the nation to implement green building zoning.
Boston is also the largest municipal purchaser of renewable energy and biodiesel in New England. Since September, 2005, all new vehicles purchased by the City of Boston are alternative fuel or vehicles with similar fuel economy. In addition, the existing 450 city vehicles that run on diesel were converted to biodiesel at the same time. Biodiesel is a clean, domestically produced fuel, blended with ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
Cambridge has established goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below the 1990 levels by 2010. This initiative is addressing issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, waste production, transportation and land use in order to achieve its goals.
"I’m thrilled that we have been recognized as one of the countries greenest cities," said Robyn Bell, Executive Director of the Cambridge Office for Tourism. "Cambridge has a long history of remaining on the cutting edge of innovative eco-friendly initiatives, including the first hybrid car service. PlanetTran, offers modern, clean, and environmentally friendly pick-up and drop service to Logan airport and other city points. It was launched in 2004 in Cambridge."
"There is not only a commitment by the city, but there is a commitment by the hospitality industry in Boston & Cambridge to continue to implement and expand eco-friendly initiatives in order to be more responsible towards the environment," said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Many hotels and restaurants in our cities have been certified by Green Seal’s Certification for Lodging Properties, US EPA Energy Star and/or US Green Building Council’s LEED Certification."
In addition to the increasing number of eco-friendly hotels and restaurants in Boston & Cambridge, Boston’s three convention centers (the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the Hynes Convention Center and the World Trade Center) all offer comprehensive recycling programs, energy efficiency achievements, and other environmentally-friendly practices. There are also a variety of environmentally friendly delegate activities, including daily guided bicycle and walking tours, canoeing and kayaking on the Charles River, a Green Buildings Tour, as well as harbor cruises and sunset cruises, among others activities.
More meeting planners are starting to choose Boston and Cambridge for their eco-friendly initiatives and their commitment to sustainability. The US Green Building Council will be holding Greenbuild 2008 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center November 19 – 21. "The USGBC is thrilled that Boston has embraced eco-friendly initiatives and building practices," said Kimberly Lewis, Vice President of Conferences & Events, USGBC. "We are excited to come to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center for our meeting and are looking forward to seeing all the ways Boston is leading the convention industry in being "Revolutionary Green." The US Green Building Council estimates that their attendance will be approximately 22,000, on par with their record breaking attendance in Chicago in 2007.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
