Published: 2 years 1 days ago
Sacramento Press: Mayor Kevin Johnson proposed his green initiative plans to the public during a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the California Museum. The long-term goal of the plan is to make Sacramento known as the national green leader in economic and environmentally friendly usages. His vision: to transform the region into "Emerald Valley."
"(California is) a state where dreams are made," Johnson said. "I strongly believe Sacramento can be the national leader in the green movement."
Around 300 attendees packed the conference room and were from all walks of life, varying from media to general public. The majority of those in attendance were supportive of the plan.
"I am a very economically cautious person," Sacramento resident Darcy Patterson, 29, said. "It's exciting to be able to be part of something that's going to make such a huge difference for generations to come."
There are four main focal points to the plan and five policy areas that will lead the initiative over the next eight months.
The focal points are fostering a regional green economy, creating green collar jobs, attracting and supporting green business through developing policies and practices, and increasing public awareness.
The number of green collar jobs has been on the rise, and Sacramento received $225 million for energy-efficient technical green job training. Over the past year, the region has also witnessed an additional 100 clean tech jobs. Sacramento has an advantage in this
industry as companies such as Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Pacific Gas & Electric are located here.
Bringing in more green business to Sacramento can happen by attracting those outside the city and region in the area. Johnson said too many people are discouraged and leaving the state, and that shouldn't be happening. Instead, Sacramento should become a place of encouragement, and having the Capitol nearby will help make that happen. One example is the edible State Capitol Garden, located at Capitol Park, that
First Lady Maria Shriver started this time last year.
The garden serves as an important "resource for teaching important life lessons around healthy living and improving communities," Shriver said.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he backs the green initiative plan 100 percent.
"All great movements started very little," Schwarzenegger said. "Then they expanded like a mushroom....Other cities will be inspired by what Johnson is doing."
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/27295/Mayor_Kevin_Johnson_proposes_green_initiative_plan
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