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“Greening Our Communities: Healthy People, Healthy Bay, Healthy Economy” was the focus of ABAG’s Fall General Assembly in San Francisco on October 13th. Elected officials, agency and business leaders shared their expertise and insight into environmental quality and water infrastructure and sustainability issues. ABAG President and Union City Mayor Mark Green framed the issue: “We are leaders and innovators in the Bay Area. We lead the state and arguably the nation in green technology, green streets, and other green planning such as smart growth and transit oriented development planning, but there is much more to be done. Now is not the time to rest on our past accomplishments. Our cities, towns, and counties can and will do more to advance green principles, which will lead us into a brighter, healthier, more economically sustainable future.
Keynote speaker Wade Crowfoot, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, addressed “Why Green Cities Are Good for the Environment and the Economy.” As part of the Governor’s energy and environment team, he talked about state sustainability efforts related to energy efficient buildings, renewable energy, regulatory reform, value of SCS, and support of local government efforts to protect themselves from extreme weather.
Rohnert Park Vice Mayor Jake Mackenzie, who moderated the panel “Greening Our Neighborhoods and Communities for a Sustainable Bay Area,” added that “Creating livable communities means addressing community sustainability involving green planning, green streets, stormwater issues, renewables, and understanding the value and economics of green infrastructure.” Ed Harrington, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission General Manager, provided comprehensive insights into sustainable stormwater and water conservation strategies and green projects being implemented. Fellow panelist Jen McGraw, Climate Change Director of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a “think and do” tank for urban sustainability, showed local governments how to quantify the value and practices of green infrastructure.
Moderator Clayton Councilmember Julie Pierce facilitated a discussion by elected officials who shared how they have addressed sustainable infrastructure challenges. Emeryville Vice Mayor Jennifer West showed the city’s successful green infrastructure in brownfields and Councilmember Kansen Chu described a range of San Jose innovative urban core projects. San Carlos Councilmember and C/CAG Chair Bob Grassilli showcased the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo’s range of collaborative sustainable projects and funding strategies for land use, transportation, energy and waste programs. Napa County Supervisor Mark Luce provided an update on Napa Green, Living River Project, and their innovative jobs/housing initiative.
Kathy Gerwig, Vice President, Workplace Safety and Environmental Stewardship Officer for Kaiser Permanente, explored what helps build Healthy Communities, describing community health initiatives that are being implemented. She also provided insights into safety and environmental sustainability in health care, and Kaiser Permanente’s leadership in Workplace Safety. It has strengthened efforts to eliminate workplace injuries for the organization’s 164,000 employees and 15,000 physicians.
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee provided host city remarks during the luncheon, citing how and why San Francisco is recognized as one of America's greenest cities, while recognizing the great achievements and progress being made by other cities in the region. Luncheon speaker Sam Schuchat, Executive Officer, California State Coastal Conservancy and Chair, San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, expertly showed how we are “Greening the Edge of the Bay for Flood Control, Water Quality and Quality of Life” and noted how they are meeting funding challenges.
(Special thanks to General Assembly sponsors which included corporate sponsor of the year Kaiser Permanente, along Bay Friendly Landscaping and Gardening / StopWaste.org, and Comcast.)