By Virak Kchao, USCM Intern
July 25, 2005

America’s Top 10 Cleanest Cities are featured in this July’s Reader’s Digest Magazine. The nation's 50 most populated metropolitan areas were compared with each other to see which tops the list. Five measures were used as criteria for the cleanest city. Each city was measured for air pollution, water pollution, toxic emissions, hazardous waste, and sanitation force. The data was taken from tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The cleanest city in the country is Portland (OR). The article notes that one reason that makes this city so clean is that it is the only elected regional government, which allows it to discuss planning and growth decisions with neighbors. This has allowed Portland to have well preserved agriculture regions with very healthy lifestyles for everybody. The public transportation of bus and light-rail system has made a section of downtown into a fare-free zone, which reduces traffic and congestion. The city conducted a meeting with 200 developers to find the best ways to use sustainability principles and then put forth a plan to carry them out. Portland also removed an entire freeway and converted it into parkland. These great ideas and initiatives have led Portland to be the cleanest city in America.

Ranking number two is San Jose (CA), now known for its thriving high-tech business which has brought in many manufacturers and highly-educated workers. The industry in San Jose has been determined to clean up its mess by setting higher standards for itself than required. The EPA is working on the containment and cleanup of the Superfund sites. Strict car emission regulations and protection of drinking water make San Jose one of the cleanest cities with clean water, fresh air, and pleasant living.

Working its way to rank number three is Buffalo (NY). One great achievement is the use of hydroelectric energy created by the Niagara Falls. Buffalo has made great strides in cleaning up its Brownfields. One current project underway is a 1,100 acre Brownfield located on the shores of Lake Erie, which will be turned into a wind farm to provide energy for many businesses and residents. The garbage collection program has evolved into an award-winning program in which high-tech sweepers are cleaning the streets 24 hours a day, and the rat problem has been decreased significantly by giving securely covered garbage bins to its residents.

Ranked number four is Columbus (OH), where its cleanliness can be credited in huge part to Mayor Michael Coleman. He supports delaying the development of sensitive watershed ecosystems and pushed for redevelopment of Brownfields. He has created “Get Green Columbus,” an initiative for the public to be more environmentally friendly.

Ranked number five is San Francisco (CA), a once dominant shipping and manufacturing area, now experiencing a great population boom and increased per capita income. San Francisco was able to convert its 700 bus fleet into electric-drive vehicles and is planning to have them all changed to clean-air technology by 2020. Its environmental department is seeking to close large emission producing power plants while the EPA is conducting a large cleanup of a shipyard in its bay.

Finishing the rest of the Top 10 cleanest cities are San Diego, Orlando, Austin (TX), Rochester (NY), and Denver.