The Green Leadership Award for San Jose cited the City for using itsconsiderable buying power to move the market towards environmentallysuperior goods and demonstrate leadership for other municipalities and SanJose residents to do the same. By increasing consumer demand for greenproducts, San Jose is supporting the emerging green economy and creatinglocal jobs. Innovative policies and programs, such asEP3, are critical components of achieving San Jose's Green Vision, afifteen-year plan to transform San Jose into a world center of CleanTechnology innovation, promote cutting-edge sustainable practices, anddemonstrate that the goals of job creation, environmental stewardship andfiscal responsibility are inextricably linked.

"We are honored to receive a Green California Leadership Award for ourpurchasing practices. This award acknowledges the work San Jose employeeshave done to achieve the goals put forth in our San Jose Green Vision. Wehope other cities will be inspired to 'buy green' and adopt programs thathelp improve the environment," said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.

The Green California Leadership Awards were established to recognizeoutstanding environmental achievements by state and local government.

Other highlights of the Environmentally Preferable Procurement Program thatmerited the Green California Leadership Award include:

EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool): San Jose was thefirst municipality to adopt this new US comprehensive environmentalstandard for information technology incorporating the standard into itslast contract for computer equipment.

Energy innovations: San Jose is 1) purchasing renewable energy credits fornew city facilities which will provide San Jose with 4 points towards LEEDgreen building certification; 2) revising its lighting specifications toonly procure low mercury fluorescent lights and 3) developing powerpurchase agreements for utilizing renewable energy at the San JoseInternational Airport.

Integrated Pest Management: San Jose is substituting bats, owls and goatsfor pesticides and herbicides in controlling insects, gophers, and weeds incity parks with the procurement of bat and owl boxes and rental of goatherds. This reduces pollution and crop damage in community gardens, makesfor healthier parks for workers and residents, reduced fire risk, andcleaner storm water runoff.

Paper: San Jose has switched to 100 percent post-consumer recycled paperfor all City business. To offset the cost, San Jose is implementing a"Paper Cuts" paper use reduction initiative that helps people identify howto reduce their paper usage.

Vehicles: San Jose has transitioned from the use of diesel to biodiesel in20 percent of its diesel vehicles. San Jose is in the process of procuringhybrid sedans and SUVs. Currently, the City fleet consists of approximately2,700 vehicles. Out of this number 34 percent are AFVs (alternate fuelvehichles).

Airport Concessions: In the Mineta San Jose International Airport's lastRFP (request for proposals), the City stated that, in compliance with theUrban Environmental Accords, concessionaires are asked to promote the useof organic foods.

The Green California Leadership Awards are presented by Green Technology, anon-profit initiative designed to inform government efforts towardsustainability, providing a forum in which government officials cancommunicate with those in the private sector who are developing anddistributing green technologies. For more information, visitwww.green-technology.org.

ABOUT SAN JOSE'S GREEN VISION

The Clean Tech Open complements San Jose's Green Vision: a comprehensivestrategy that addresses how environmental responsibility makes financialsense and stimulates economic opportunity. With the Green Vision, San Josewill lead the nation in becoming more energy efficient, producing and usingelectricity from clean renewable sources, creating green buildings,diverting waste from landfills, creating greener street systems, deliveringrecycled water, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This vision includes10 bold goals that will serve as a roadmap to reduce the carbon footprintof the tenth largest city in the nation by more than half. For moreinformation, please visit,http://www.sanjoseca.gov/pdf/SanJoseGreenVision.pdf.

ABOUT THE CITY OF SAN JOSE

From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San Jose has been aleader, driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San Jose stands as thelargest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley --the world's leading center of innovation. The city, the 10th largest in theU.S., is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work,live, play and learn. For more information, visit, www.sanjoseca.gov.