Apr 26, 2007 8:58 pm US/Central
Minneapolis Sweeps Up, One Of The Cleanest Cities
by Lisa Kiava
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
-
-
Minneapolis residents do everything from using the extensive bike trail system to collecting rain water in barrels that the city helps provide.
CBS
Forbes Magazine has named Minneapolis one of the top five cleanest cities in the world.
The Forbes list ranks the cleanest cities in this order: Calgary, Honolulu, Helsinki, Ottawa, and Minneapolis.
"I take metro transit everywhere. Metro transit is probably the greatest thing that's ever happened to me because I don't own a car in the cities," said Josh Pierce, Minneapolis resident.
"I do take cans to the place (to recycle)," said Charles Craig, Minneapolis resident.
Minneapolis residents do everything from using the extensive bike trail system to collecting rain water in barrels that the city helps provide, so everyone should celebrate the city's latest honor if you ask one city councilman.
"I was just thrilled. I was very happy that the city was recognized for the work that we're doing as city officials and the work that the residents are doing at maintaining a clean city for visitors and for people who work here," Scott Benson, Minneapolis city councilman.
City leaders are setting tough goals for the future. For example, all new city buildings must be certified green and meet tough national standards.
In the next five years, city operations will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12 percent.
The next target for mass transit is expanding light rail. The planned Central Corridor would link Minneapolis to St. Paul.
The city already owns nearly 100 vehicles that are fueled with ethanol and plans are in the works to increase that fleet. It's part of an overall strategy to keep the city on the list of the world's cleanest cities.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Pawlenty: Double Sentences For Some Sex Offenders 1 hr 11 mins ago
Stumble It!
