Jersey City is up against two California cities in a competition over the most sustainable mid-size city, after the city launched its "365 Days of Green" environmental initiative campaign that promotes green and sustainable living last year.
The awards are decided by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center and Siemens Corporation, who chose nine communities of varying sizes that "represent outstanding communities dedicated to improving their overall sustainability through impactful environmental, economic and social solutions," according to the award committee.
Santa Monica, Calif., and Riverside, Calif., are also in the running for the award, which is in its fifth year.
The five-person awards committee acknowledged Jersey City as part of New Jersey's comprehensive municipal sustainability program ? the first in the country - that links certification with strong state and private financial incentives and a technical support and training program.
"Jersey City already has a community that understands sustainability and living green, but we believe that these programs will help our residents and business owners to further incorporate green practices into their daily lives and also reach more people," Mayor Healy says in a statement.
"By making green living more accessible, we are not only improving our present day quality of life, but we are also protecting our city for future generations."
The Sustainable Jersey program helps municipalities improve efficiency, cut waste and stimulate their local economies. Registered municipalities get special priority access and notification of incentives and grants, and are eligible for the Sustainable Jersey Small Grant Program which funds $220,000 worth of sustainable projects annually across New Jersey.
Jersey City was noted for: Completion a municipal energy audit and fleet inventory, enacting a green purchasing policy, adoption agricultural friendly zoning and creation programs for residents to adopt community gardens and parks, in addition to the Sustainable Jersey certification.
This year, 135 communities applied for the award and were scored by a panel of the country's top sustainability experts.
The winner of each division will be announced April 17.JJ

Over the past few years, Jersey City has made a concerted, and well documented, effort towards greening the city. There was the 365 Days of Green blueprint, the re-establishment of the Environmental Commission, and work that lead to the city receiving Sustainable Jersey Silver Level designation. Then there was the construction of the permaculture learning garden, which of course benefited from help from the community.

To sum it up, Jersey City has done a pretty good job getting increasing sustainability (although bike advocates are wondering when their green-friendly transportation alternatives might get a little more attention from City hall.)

This work has not gone unnoticed by the people at Sustainable Community Awards who have named Jersey City a finalist in the for the 2012 Sustainable Community Award, Mid-Size category.

The winner in each category will be announced on April 17, at the BCLC?s 2012 National Conference ? Forecast: Corporate Citizenship and America?s Future, in Atlanta, GA.

?We are pleased that our efforts to bring sustainability to our City continue to be recognized at a national level,? said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy in a statement. ?We know that the greater awareness we can raise about living a sustainable lifestyle, the greater the impact will be for our community, our country and our planet http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/ ... tainable-community-award/]Green JC[/url]