Willow Glen Resident

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SJ is a lighter shade of green than other California cities

By Linda Taaffe

San Jose is a lighter shade of green than other major California cities, according to the 2006 U.S. Sustainable Cities Survey released by SustainLane in June.

Using 15 economic and quality-of-life categories, the peer-reviewed survey ranked cities from most sustainable to least sustainable. San Jose ranked 23 out of 50 cities surveyed nationwide, coming in below San Francisco (No. 2), Oakland (No. 6), Sacramento (No. 13) and San Diego (No. 17).

According to the study, those cities that have an ability to maintain healthy air, drinking water, park space and public transit access combined with a strong, complementary economy are more sustainable and better prepared for unpredictable events, like natural or economic disasters.

Green buildings, downtown neighborhoods that are easily walkable, farmers markets and renewable energy all factored into the rankings.

San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales' office plans to study the survey and the way information was collected, said communications director David Vossbrink.

"San Jose has an excellent record of accomplishment for green matters. Our waste reduction and recycling programs are a national leader," Vossbrink said. "We would have expected more recognition for what San Jose has done in the area of smart growth ... both throughout the city and in key areas such as downtown, Coyote Valley and North San Jose.

Lindsey Wolf, public affairs manager for the San Jose's environmental services department, said there were several points in the report to which she strongly objected. Air quality was one.

"We have a Bay Area Air Quality Management District for a reason--San Francisco can't get away with having 'fresh breezes' take care of their pollution problems by pushing smog down to the Santa Clara Valley. Air pollution is correctly managed on a regional basis, with all jurisdictions subject to the same controls despite how close to the ocean breezes they are," Wolf said.

San Jose received its lowest scores for traffic congestion, low public transit ridership, housing costs and poor land use. More than 80 percent of San Jose residents drive alone to work, despite heavy traffic congestion, the report concludes.

The city received its highest rating for waste diversion. It recycles more waste--62 percent--than any other city outside of California. The city's air ranks No. 7, and water is clean at No. 12.

Vossbrink pointed out that Readers Digest recognized San Jose as the No. 2 "Clean City" in the United States. The GreenBelt Alliance conducted its own "Bay Area Smart Growth Scorecard" rankings in June. San Jose ranked second among more than 100 Bay Area cities for its environmental policies and policies that address growth.

SustainLane spoke with officials in 37 cities in the study and collected data from public and non-governmental organizations, including the U.S. EPA and U.S. Census. No.1 in the survey. Columbus, Ohio, ranked No. 50.

To view the full survey, go to www.sustainlane.com.