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Forbes: Florida Cities Cleanest

Tribune photo by VICTOR JUNCO

Forbes magazine ranked the Tampa-St. Petersburg area No. 8 on the list of America’s Cleanest Cities. The area’s coastal location may help, as sea breezes have been known to blow away smog.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 14, 2008

The Sunshine State outshone all others in Forbes' 2008 list of America's Cleanest Cities, with the Tampa-St. Petersburg area coming in at No. 8 out of 49 U.S. metro areas with populations of more than 1 million. Miami took the top spot, with Orlando and Jacksonville not far behind.

So how did Florida get so many breaths of fresh air? Forbes' report notes several factors:

The state Department of Environmental Protection has been taking steps to help power plants reduce harmful emissions. Tampa Electric Co., in particular, has been recognized for its efforts to reduce emissions.

The DEP also has focused on fighting direct and indirect pollution of public waters.

Then there's Mother Nature, whose sea breezes have been known to blow away smog.

Corrie Benfield

ABOUT THE RANKINGS

Forbes based its rankings on a combination of these factors:

Air pollution and ozone levels for the metropolitan statistical area, provided by the American Lung Association.

The cities' per-capita spending on Superfund site cleanup and solid-waste management.

Water cleanliness statistics compiled by the University of Cincinnati from local reports of EPA violations. The rankings were based on reports of bacteria, chlorine byproducts and chemicals, or metals in the drinking water.

THE TOP 10

1. Miami

2. Seattle

3. Jacksonville

4. Orlando

5. Portland, Ore.

6. San Francisco

7. Oklahoma City

8. Tampa-St. Petersburg

9. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

10. San Jose-Sunnyvale, Calif.

LEADING THE CHARGE

In May, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio traded her city vehicle, a Lincoln Town Car, for a Toyota Camry Hybrid. That switch has saved the city 330 gallons of gas so far. The city has also purchased hybrids for use in code enforcement, growth management and solid waste. So expect to see more savings, both monetary and environmentally.

The Legislature is considering several environmental bills. One would require those doing business with the state and all public airports to have on-site recycling of aluminum cans, plastic and glass. Another would give tax credits to those who construct "green" buildings and would require that certain state-funded buildings such as new schools be environmentally friendly.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Tampa's Solid Waste Department is having a Household Chemical and Electronics Collection Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at 4010 W. Spruce St. This is your chance to safely dispose of your old televisions, computers, paints, motor oil and other household chemicals. Call Nina Stokes at (813) 348-6515 for information.

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