IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mayor's Proposed Budget Impacts on Sustainability

Mayor Nutter presented his Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Address to members of City Council last week.  We’ve looked over the proposed budget to see how it would affect the Next Great City (NGC) actions, and this is what we observed:

Energy – Mayor Nutter has proposed a $500,000 budget line to make energy-efficiency improvements to city facilities.  While the NGC recommendation is for the construction of energy-efficient facilities, energy-efficiency improvements of existing buildings is in line with that goal.  

Parks and Trees –  A proposed $1 million increase in capital funds for tree planting would support Next Great City’s tree planting goal. An additional $2.5 million for the Department of Parks and Recreation's operating budget for new staff will be a boon for fostering healthy parks with improved maintenance.

Recycling – Mayor Nutter has proposed the “Keep Philly Clean Service Fee”, which would be $300 a year for most residents, or $200 for low-income households. While a “pay as you throw” system would help to incentivize recycling, a flat fee does not encourage people to produce less trash or to recycle more. However, residents that sign up with the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program can earn up to $400 a year, offsetting the proposed trash fee.

The “Keep Philly Clean Service” as proposed will be a benefit to the NGC vacant lot recommendation by providing more revenue for cleaning and greening.  The funds would also restore leaf recycling, helping to increase composting.

Riverfronts – The proposed budget includes over $6 million for riverfront improvements. Specifically, the allocations would go to:

• Central, Schuylkill and North Delaware Riverfront Improvements - $4.13 million
• Race Street Pier Infrastructure and Park Improvements - $1.9 million
• Additionally, more than $8.8 million in City, federal, state, and private funding is proposed for plans and improvements along the Central and North Delaware River waterfronts, with an additional $4.3 million in City, state, and federal funding for Schuylkill Riverfront improvements.

Bold Action to Protect Water Quality

The Philadelphia Water Department has some of the most exciting and ambitious plans and regulations in the country to protect and improve water quality. Learn more about these cutting edge initiatives and how they might catch on in other parts of Pennsylvania at PennFuture’s Watershed Workshop on Saturday, April 17.

This workshop will update watershed groups, conservancies, municipal government officials, and interested residents on the changes Philadelphia is making to ensure the health of our waterways while simultaneously building the City’s economy and improving its overall physical environment. Participants will also have the opportunity to view good water management practices on a guided tour of the Friends Center, and be entered to win a rain barrel so they can help manage their stormwater at home.

Space is limited, so register online today!

Go Green Expo Returns to Philadelphia Area

Next Great City is a proud sponsor of the annual Go Green Expo in Philadelphia! Exhibit alongside hundreds of companies and grow your eco-friendly business April 16-18, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, co-located with the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Tour sponsored by Ikea, CBS Television, The Philadelphia Business Journal, The Home Depot & many more. Listen to speakers, eco-celebrities & authors such as Ed Begley Jr., Mariel Hemingway and many others. On display and for sale will be the latest green products & services for home, business, pets, fashion, food & beverage, automobiles, and much more.  
 
There is limited booth space available, and the event will sell out again. Please contact its CEO Bradford Rand at (212) 655-4505 ext. 223 to secure your space. If you would like to purchase discounted tickets (only $5 instead of $10 at the door), use promo-code NEXTGREAT at www.GoGreenExpo.com.  

Philly Spring Cleanup SignUp Starts Today

The City of Philadelphia’s 3rd Annual Philly Spring Cleanup is coming up on Saturday, April 10, 2010 (rain date, Saturday, April 17, 2010). Thanks to the hard work of over 21,000 volunteer who helped out at the two previous Philly Spring Cleanups, 3.25 million pounds of trash at over 275 project sites were removed from our City’s streets, parks, and recreation centers.  

This year's Cleanup, entitled "Keep Up the Sweep Up," will be the start of the City’s sustained effort to eliminate and prevent litter and illegal dumping. You can be a part of this effort by signing up to help out this year. Volunteer registration starts today, March 8, at www.phillycleanup.com.

EPA Environmental Justice Video Conference

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring an environmental justice video contest to create videos that capture the faces of the environmental justice movement. The Faces of the Grassroots contest is an opportunity raise awareness of the share environmental justice movement by sharing its stories.

Videos can focus on any environmental justice activity, issue, or topic. Examples would be a music video about climate change, or a video recording a successful environmental justice project that has made a community a healthier and happier place to live.

The videos will also be featured on EPA’s website and may be used as public service announcements. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 8, 2010. EPA will announce winners in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

For more information go to: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/events/video-contest.html.

SPREAD THE WORD:

We want every Philadelphian to learn about Next Great City! If you want to help us spread the word, invite a Next Great City representative to come speak at the next meeting of your civic association, church group or other community organization.

In addition, if you'd like copies of the Next Great City report or brochures, contact Christine at 215-545-9692.