Philadelphia, PA – Mayor John F. Street today released a Local Action Plan for Climate Change, a detailed document outlining specific steps the City of Philadelphia is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable environment for the City, the region and the world.

“A city that protects its environment improves the quality of life for people world-wide,” Mayor Street said in a news conference at LOVE Park as he released the Local Action Plan, surrounded by City officials and private organizations and citizens supporting the City’s commitment to sustainability. “Greenhouse gas emissions seriously threaten our environment and Philadelphia is determined to do its part to reduce greenhouse gases. Our commitment to protecting the environment in Philadelphia is the right thing to do and it makes good business sense.”

Mayor Street today also signed an Executive Order directing City government to implement a number of key recommendations contained within the Local Action Plan, including the following actions:

• Directing the Procurement Department to purchase wind energy to meet the electricity needs of City Hall.

• Directing Procurement to develop standards for and to require the use of low-emission diesel vehicles or alternative fuels for other vehicles engaged in City public works contracts.

• The Municipal Energy Office is directed to investigate the feasibility of installing solar electric and solar thermal systems at City-owned facilities and report its findings to the Managing Director for appropriate action.

• All City departments with utilities paid from the City General Fund are directed to reduce energy use by 5 percent from FY2006 levels by 2010, and an additional 10 percent by 2015 (for a total reduction of 15 percent by 2015).

• The Office of Fleet Management is directed to reduce total fuel consumption for the City’s vehicle fleet by 15 percent from FY2006 levels by FY2015.

• Create a City Office of Sustainability and Environment to support and implement initiatives that will achieve the City’s sustainability and environmental objectives.

• The Office of Sustainability will work with the Fairmount Park Commission to develop and implement a program to stabilize and maintain the city’s tree canopy covering at least 15 percent of the City’s surface area.

• (For a complete list of all of the actions directed by the Mayor’s Executive Order, see the attached copy of the Order attached to this release.)

Mayor Street was joined at today’s announcement by Janice Woodcock, executive director of the Philadelphia Planning Commission, other City officials, and advocates for a host of pro-environment organizations from around the Philadelphia region.

“This is a tremendous day for Philadelphia and for our commitment to making Philadelphia one of the most sustainable big cities in the country,” Woodcock said.