Santa Monica Wins 2012 Siemens Sustainable Community Award

City of Santa Monica NEWS: Santa Monica Wins 2012 Siemens Sustainable Community Award

DATE: April 19, 2012

Santa Monica, CA - Santa Monica is the winner of the 2012 Siemens Sustainable Community Award in the midsize community category (population 50,000-150,000).  Santa Monica and fellow 2012 Sustainable Communities Chicago, Illinois (large community category) and Purcellville, Virginia (small community category) were chosen from among 132 communities across 40 states to become this year's winners. Awards were announced April 17 at the U.S. Chamber Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The three communities honored were applauded for their focus on a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainability, which has positively impacted local businesses and enhanced the quality of life among its citizens.

“We’re honored and energized to be the winners of the Siemens Sustainable Community Award,” said Mayor Richard Bloom. “Our Sustainable City Plan sets ambitious goals that guide our decisions, and provides a model for other communities that wish to become more sustainable. It’s something we all have to work together to do, and Santa Monica and our fellow sustainable communities have shown that we’re up to the challenge.”

Mayor Pro Tem Gleam Davis was on hand in Atlanta to accept the award. “Santa Monica is very excited to win the Siemens award. It’s important to us because we feel we’ve taken on a leadership role not only in protecting the natural environment, but in developing a sustainable community that’s more livable for everyone.  Being honored in this regard makes us proud of the efforts we’ve made so far, and inspires us to work even harder in the future.”

Santa Monica’s award application focused on integrating goals and principles of its Sustainable City Plan into a wide range of city operations, services and strategic planning initiatives, including the recently adopted Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE).  Judges noted Santa Monica’s excellence in setting strategic citywide goals that are reinforced across multiple planning areas, such as resource conservation, economic growth, open space and land use, housing, transportation, civic participation, and human services. The judging panel included five academic, community development, and media professionals.

"What these communities have done so well, is use sustainability as a lever to overall community success, instead of as a stand-alone program to pursue specific environmental outcomes," said Siemens' Alison Taylor. "This holistic approach is a truer indicator of a community's sustainability."

The U.S. Chamber BCLC and Siemens created the Sustainable Community Awards in 2008 to give rise to U.S. communities that are taking proactive steps to improve quality of life, be a steward of the environment, and increase the ability to sustain a successful community for generations to come. As part of the award, Santa Monica will receive $20,000 worth of trees from the Alliance for Community Trees.

Full information about the awards program, including reactions from each of the winning communities and members of the judging panel, is available on the Siemens Sustainable Community Awards website: http://bclc.uschamber.com/sustainablecommunityawards.

About Siemens Corporation

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and cities sectors. For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of around $20 billion and employs approximately 60,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com.

About the U.S. Chamber BCLC

BCLC is the U.S. Chamber's resource and voice for businesses' social and philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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