Philadelphia, March 13, 2013 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter today announced that the City of Philadelphia is one of the five winners in the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life – and that ultimately can be shared with other cities to improve the well-being of the nation. Philadelphia was selected as a Mayors Challenge winner out of a pool of over 300 applicant cities, based on four criteria: vision, ability to implement, potential for impact, and potential for replication. Philadelphia will be awarded a $1 million innovation prize to implement its idea to create the Philadelphia Social Enterprise Partnership, a new effort to engage social entrepreneurs in working with city government and other partners to tackle urban challenges. Philadelphia will also receive a sculpture created by world-renowned designer Olafur Eliasson to commemorate each of the Mayors Challenge winners.

“Philadelphia’s selection as a Mayors Challenge winner is a huge honor for our city and a testament to the creative, innovative work that is going on across city government,” said Mayor Nutter. “Through the Philadelphia Social Enterprise Partnership, our goal is to explore innovative new approaches to issues affecting cities across the country and ultimately to improve the quality of life for our residents. I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg and the Mayors Challenge for supporting innovative thinking in cities across America. The City of Philadelphia is also grateful for the efforts of GoodCompany and the Wharton Social Impact Initiative; both partners were integral to the successful collaboration that advanced our application through the Mayors Challenge process.”

“Procurement processes can stifle innovation and prevent local leaders from solving pressing city problems,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, philanthropist and Mayor of New York City. “Mayor Nutter’s winning idea will help city government leverage innovation and creative talent to tackle an array of major challenges. Bloomberg Philanthropies is eager to see this idea take hold in Philadelphia and across the country.”

The Philadelphia Social Enterprise Partnership will create a process through which entrepreneurs and city government can work together on researching, developing, and applying innovative solutions to urban challenges. By building on existing innovations taking place in Philadelphia and cities around the country – such as opening up city data for use by citizens and entrepreneurs – Philadelphia will demonstrate that creating partnerships between innovators within and outside of government provides the opportunity to develop more effective solutions to some of our most intractable challenges. Philadelphia will identify two to three issues per year for which it will seek proposals from entrepreneurs, bringing them to the city to develop and pilot their ideas through a proven social enterprise accelerator program.

The Mayors Challenge is a competition to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life. Mayors of U.S. cities with 30,000 residents or more were eligible to compete, with 305 cities representing 45 states submitting applications last September. Providence was awarded the $5 million grand prize, while Chicago, Houston, and Santa Monica were also awarded $1 million prizes. To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit bloomberg.org/mayorschallenge.

The Mayors Challenge is the latest initiative of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Project, which aims to spread proven and promising ideas among cities. Other Mayors Project investments include Cities of Service, Innovation Delivery Teams, and Financial Empowerment Centers.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies is on a mission to improve and lengthen lives. We focus on five key areas to create lasting change: Public Health, Environment, Education, Government Innovation, which includes the Mayors Challenge, and Arts & Culture. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2012, $360 million was distributed. For more information, please visit http://www.bloomberg.org.

For more information on Bloomberg Philanthropies, media should contact Meghan Womack, meghan@bloomberg.org.

“As Philadelphia strives to be the greenest city in America, we are focused on forging partnerships that help us reach our sustainability goals, increase community engagement and stimulate the local economy,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “In working with us to create Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, Recyclebank has been a strong partner and has helped Philadelphia to reach new heights of urban sustainability and national environmental leadership.”

The award was presented Saturday, January 19 at the USCM 81^st Winter Meeting. The Excellence in Public/Private Partnership Awards were established by the USCM to recognize the achievements made possible by the partnerships between the member companies of the Mayors Business Council and cities across the nation. Mayor Nutter and Erika Diamond, vice president of community solutions at Recyclebank, accepted the award.

“Philadelphia’s strides in building a more sustainable and smarter city is testament to the impact that partnerships between public entities and private corporations can create,” said Diamond. “By rewarding residents for taking more everyday green actions like recycling, Philadelphia has increased recycling rates in the face of stagnant national average rates and helped residents realize the financial benefits of making more sustainable choices.”

In summer 2008, the City of Philadelphia made a commitment to sustainability by expanding its recycling program, switching to a single-stream recycling system. In February 2010, the City furthered its commitment by partnering with Recyclebank and offering more than 540,000 household residents the opportunity to get rewards for recycling at home with the program, Philadelphia Recycling Rewards. In addition to rewards for recycling, the partnership has raised awareness and education for recycling, both critical components to recycling behavior change. Because of these combined efforts, the City has increased the total amount of residential recycling collected by nearly 20,000 tons and its curbside recycling diversion rate is up four percentage points since the Recycling Rewards Program was implemented Citywide in July 2010.

“The Philadelphia Streets Department is very proud to be the co-recipient of the Outstanding Award in Public/Private Partnerships with our partner Recyclebank,” said Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson. “The award signifies how far Philadelphia has come in its recycling efforts and supporting Mayor Nutter’s vision for Philadelphia to be the most viable and environmentally conscious city in the country,” Tolson said. “Philadelphia Recycling Rewards allows us to give back to residents who have made recycling a priority in their community. This program not only makes the City greener by increasing recycling rates and saving the City from costly landfill fees; it puts more green in the pockets of local residents by giving them points redeemable at local businesses.”

Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, powered by Recyclebank, rewards residents for recycling with discounts and deals from locally-based businesses and national brands. For more information on the program, please visit www.phillyrecyclingpays.com.

ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA STREETS DEPARTMENT

For more information about the Philadelphia Streets Department, visit: http://www.philadelphiastreets.com.

ABOUT RECYCLEBANK

Recyclebank helps create a more sustainable future by rewarding people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from more than 4,000 local businesses and national brands. Through its online platform and partnerships with municipalities, haulers, small businesses and corporate brands, Recyclebank empowers individuals to make a collective impact on the environment by increasing household recycling and taking other environmentally-friendly actions. A Certified B Corporation, Recyclebank has been recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Program and for Outstanding Excellence in Public/Private Partnerships from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Recyclebank is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit www.Recyclebank.com.

“No Philadelphian should go hungry when resources and dedicated volunteers who are willing and able to help are present,” said Mayor Nutter.  “The health, safety and dignity of individuals who utilize emergency food services has to be the key consideration as we work together to increase access to meals and services.  I look forward to the great work that the Philadelphia Food Access Collaboration will do for our most vulnerable citizens.”

The initial goals of the Collaborative are:

• Increase the availability of meals at existing indoor meal service sites – Inventory existing indoor meal service organizations and assess their needs in order to increase the number of indoor meal options;
• Coordinate meal schedules to eliminate gaps in service – Support the coordination of meal schedules for both indoor and outdoor servers to ensure there is adequate coverage throughout the week for individuals seeking food, and make this information widely available;
• Identify opportunities for new space for meal service – Look for potential new space where outdoor servers can provide meals in a safe and healthy environment with indoor and outdoor space available to those being served food;
• Connect individuals to meals and other social service resources – Work to ensure that information on resources for meals and key social services are provided at meal service sites;
• Raise the visibility of these issues – Release an annual report on the work of the Collaborative towards advancing these goals, and the overall state of emergency food in Philadelphia; and
• Fundraise in support of these efforts – Identify additional resources to advance the work of this group.

“The Food Access Collaborative is positioned to be a game-changer in Philadelphia’s ongoing quest to alleviate the trauma experienced through hunger.  By assembling proven leadership from diverse sectors and gathering a range of expertise, the Collaborative is positioned to drive our city toward new solutions to this vexing problem. This is a roll-up-your sleeves kind of group and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Bill Golderer, Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Food Access Collaborative.

Philadelphia Food Access Collaborative Members

Kevin Barr

Executive Director, St. John’s Hospice

John Barrett

Vice President, Logan Square Neighborhood Association

Adam Bruckner

Director, Philadelphia Restart

Bill Clark

President and Executive Director, Philabundance

Andre Cureton

Daytime Program Supervisor, Bethesda Project, Former Outdoor Food Consumer

Kim Fortunato, Esq.

      Director, Childhood Obesity and Hunger Program, Campbell Soup Company

Brian Jenkins

Executive Director, Chosen 300

Samantha Matlin

Special Advisor to the Commissioner for Policy Development and Research, Department of Behavioral

Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

Dick McMillen

Executive Director, Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission

Carey Morgan

Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger

Joe Pyle

Executive Director, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation

Joseph Rogers

Chief Advocacy Officer, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Former Outdoor Food Consumer

Nilda Ruiz

President and CEO, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha

Jay Spector

President and CEO, Jewish Employment and Vocational Services

Salomon Vazquez

Outdoor Food Provider, The Connect Church

Collaborative Co-Chairs

Bill Golderer, Convening Minister, Broad Street Ministry, Pastor, Arch Street Presbyterian Church

Mary Horstmann, Deputy Director, Policy Planning and Coordination, Mayor’s Office

The Collaborative will be adding additional members to ensure broad representation from key constituencies on this issue.

Philadelphia, November 5, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that Philadelphia has been selected as a finalist for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, a competition created to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that address major challenges and improve city life – and that ultimately can be shared with other cities across the nation.

Philadelphia joined the “Elite 20” based on its innovative idea that re-imagines how cities’ can tackle urban challenges using entrepreneurial solutions in order to achieve meaningful change. Called the Philadelphia Social Enterprise Partnership (PSEP), this initiative changes how city government interacts with the private sector by engaging entrepreneurs in framing social challenges and seeking innovative solutions. The concept provides a new, sustainable model for urban problem solving with city government as an active partner, providing data and feedback throughout the process. PSEP will be run in collaboration with GoodCompany Group, the leading social enterprise incubator in Philadelphia.

Following a call for ideas, the Mayor’s Office of Grants led a rigorous process to narrow down the 80 solicited ideas. The process of winnowing was carried out by a panel of innovation experts who short-listed and shaped the ideas for the Mayor’s final decision. Philadelphia will now compete with 19 other cities across the country for the $5 million grand prize and one of four additional prizes of $1 million each.

“I am thrilled that Philadelphia has been selected as a finalist for the Mayors Challenge,” said Mayor Nutter. “Our goal is to solve major urban issues by taking a different approach than before. In Philadelphia, we recognize the new ways to engage with citizens and welcome the innovative solutions that they may have for some of the most daunting challenges we face.”

A team from Philadelphia will attend Bloomberg Ideas Camp, a two-day gathering in New York City in November during which city teams will work collaboratively with each other and experts to further refine their ideas. After the Camp, the Philadelphia team will have access to additional technical support to prepare its ideas for final submission. Winners will be announced in spring 2013, with a total of $9 million going to five cities to jumpstart implementation of their ideas.

“Congratulation to Mayor Nutter and the City of Philadelphia for becoming a Mayors Challenge finalist. The response to the Mayors Challenge was extraordinary: bold and innovative ideas were submitted from every corner of the country.  We look forward to welcoming the Philadelphia team to Ideas Camp,” said James Anderson, who directs the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The 20 finalist ideas were rated on four key criteria: vision/creativity, ability to implement, potential for impact, and potential for replication. A specially-assembled selection committee, co-chaired by Shona Brown, Senior Vice President and head of Google.org, and Ron Daniel, Bloomberg Philanthropies board member and Former Managing Partner at McKinsey & Company where he is still active, helped select the finalist cities.

Mayor Nutter’s response to the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge is just the latest example of the Nutter Administration seeking new ways to engage and support Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial community.  Just last week Mayor Nutter launched Startup PHL, an initiative to provide seed-stage funding to Philadelphia-based startups and to support community-building initiatives and programs through a ‘Call for Ideas’.  For more information on Startup PHL please visit www.startupphl.com.

About the Mayors Challenge

Mayors of U.S. cities with 30,000 residents or more were eligible to compete in the Mayors Challenge. 305 cities representing 45 states across the country submitted applications by September 14, 2012.

The Mayors Challenge is the latest initiative of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Project, which aims to spread proven and promising ideas among cities. Other Mayors Project investments include Cities of Service, Innovation Delivery Teams, and Financial Empowerment Centers.

To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit www.bloomberg.org/mayorschallenge.

Philadelphia, September 25, 2012 –The City of Philadelphia announced that it has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual award recognizes the country’s leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. EPA presented the City with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2012 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Washington, D.C. on September 24, 2012.

“My Administration has made a commitment to generate 20% of electricity used in Philadelphia from alternative energy sources, as laid out in our sustainability plan Greenworks Philadelphia,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “We are honored to be given this award by the EPA in recognition of our efforts and will continue to pursue clean energy policies that benefit residents and the environment.”

The City of Philadelphia was one of onlytwelve organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase.  The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier.  Philadelphia municipal government currently purchases 127 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, which is enough green power to meet 18 percent of its purchased electricity use.  The City buys renewable energy certificates (RECs) through PPL Energy Plus.

“EPA is pleased to recognize the City of Philadelphia with a Green Power Purchasing award for its distinguished commitment to buying green power and for taking a significant step to reduce the environmental impacts associated with its electricity use,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “The City of Philadelphia is helping to grow our nation’s renewable energy market and is a model for other cities and organizations to follow.”

Philadelphia currently ranks 36^th on EPA’s National Top 50 List, as well as 6^th on EPA’s Top 20 Local Government List.  Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 5, 2012.  EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

According to the EPA, the City’s current green power purchase of 127 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 17,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 11,000 average American homes annually.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro.  These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources.  Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,300 Partner organizations collectively purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

About the Green Power Leadership Awards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-sponsors the annual Green Power Leadership Awards in conjunction with the Center for Resource Solutions. EPA recognizes winners in the following awards categories: Green Power Partner of the Year; On-site Generation; Green Power Purchasing; Sustained Excellence in Green Power; Green Power Community of the Year; Green Power Supplier of the Year; and Innovative Green Power Program of the Year. EPA’s Green Power Purchaser awards recognize the exceptional achievement among EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through green power procurement, market leadership, overall green power strategy, and overall impact on the green power market.  EPA’s Green Power Supplier awards recognize green power suppliers for outstanding efforts, initiatives and programs that significantly advance the development of green power sources serving the voluntary market. The Awards are held in conjunction with the Renewable Energy Markets Conference. For additional information please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/.

“I look forward to reading the report and working to help the vulnerable people of our City have access to food that meets safety standards in a safe, dignified, indoor location where we can provide supportive service,” said Mayor Nutter.  “I want to thank the Task Force members for their hard work, dedication and support as we work to move outdoor food service indoors.”

The Task Force was convened in May 2012.  The Task Force was comprised of individuals from city departments, philanthropic and faith-based organizations, foundations and individuals who have participated in the food service programs.  The Task Force was chaired by Dr. Arthur C. Evans, Jr., Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services Commissioner.

“Several individuals and groups share a long-standing commitment to serving people who are in need,” said Dr. Evans. “Task Force members were actively engaged in identifying creative options to move the city forward in its efforts to address hunger.”

In the report, the Task Force identified five main recommendations that will help to move the City forward in its efforts to address hunger issues. The recommendations are:

1. Establishing consensus, leadership & capacity to move the City forward to address hunger and food insecurity;

1. Increasing and improving food access and options, and other needed services and supports for individuals in need;

1. Using existing infrastructure and resources to build additional capacity for addressing issues of hunger and food insecurity;

1. Creating opportunities for organizations and the public to better help individuals in need; and

1. Establishing innovative food serving models to increase access to food indoors while addressing food insecurity.

“This co-location facility is critical to coordinating crime-response strategies across the City of Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter.  “Bringing together these different agencies that share the same goal, to support and protect the victims of sexual abuse, will further enhance the efficiency of investigations and the efficacy of services provided to victims.”

On April 10, 2012, Mayor Nutter signed Bill No. 120084, the SVU/DHS Co-Location Bill, which was introduced in City Council by Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez.  The passage and subsequent signing of the bill led to the construction of this facility.  Officials joining Mayor Nutter at the bill signing and the ground-breaking included: Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross, District Attorney Seth Williams, DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose, and Philadelphia Children’s Alliance Executive Director Chris Kirchner.

“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on this Co-location facility that will enable DHS and our partner agencies to provide better care and services to children who have been sexually abused. The thoughtful design of the center will allow us to lessen the trauma of the investigative process so victims will no longer have to repeatedly relive the events of their assault” said DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross said, “We have to do everything we possibly can to help victims of sexual abuse.  The process of coming forward will always be difficult but we [the Police], DHS and our advocate partners can work as a system to treat everyone with compassion and humanity as we fight for justice. This is a progressive and necessary step in that direction.”

The current building is 30,000 sq. ft.  Ironstone Partners, LLC will renovate the building, adding an additional 10,000 sq. ft.  The space will feature a new, landscaped courtyard and a parking lot for approximately 140 vehicles.  Once completed, the PPD SVU will have two entrances and DHS and PCA will share an entrance.  The anticipated completion of the renovation is late 2012 to early 2013.

“This is not only an extremely important day, it is very long overdue,” said District Attorney Seth Williams. “For over 20 years now the District Attorney’s Office has been working with the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance to make this day a reality. I am proud to say with this new co-location building we will not be able to better serve families, reduce trauma to victims and ultimately obtain justice for children. This is truly a great day for the entire city of Philadelphia.”

Chris Kirchner, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, said, “Our dream is truly becoming a reality today as we break ground on this remarkable facility. This co-located facility will be a testament to how much the City of Philadelphia cares about its kids and how child victims of sexual abuse deserve the best response when they have the courage to share what happened to them.  The collaboration that will take place in this facility among the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, Dept. of Human Services, the Special Victims Unit, the District Attorney’s Office, and medical professionals will directly benefit child victims and their families.”

“When I came into office, I pledged to makePhiladelphiathe greenest city inAmerica, and as the largest city to be designated a Green Power Community, we are well on our way,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Choosing electricity from renewable resources like solar panels and wind turbines gives us the power we need to grow, but also to support job creation, to cut carbon emissions, and to bring additional clean, renewable resources online inAmerica. Using green power is a smart choice for our environment and for our economy.”

EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin said, “As EPA’s largest Green Power Community, Philadelphia is among only a handful of local governments that have met or exceeded their pledges to our nation’s clean energy future by purchasing green, renewable power. I commend Mayor Michael Nutter for his continuous pursuit of numerous, practical ways to makePhiladelphiaa model green city.”

Philadelphians purchase nearly 600 million kWh of renewable energy each year.  This is equivalent to planting nearly 10.5 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years or taking 80,000 passenger cars off the road.  This renewable energy usage also represents more than 4 percent of the electricity purchased by all users inPhiladelphia.

WashingtonD.C.is currently the largest municipal buyer of green power. Mayor Nutter announced a challenge toWashington’s status. “I challenge Mayor Gray andWashingtonD.C.becausePhiladelphiais going to become the #1 city for in the purchase of green power,” said Mayor Nutter.

“I welcome this challenge from Mayor Nutter, and congratulate the City ofBrotherly Loveon its commitment to green power.  TheDistrict of Columbiaentered the Green Power Communities program last year at #1 and I’m seizing this opportunity to renew my challenge to our residents, businesses and institutions to stay on top.  I’m all for healthy competition, especially when it involves investing in clean, renewable power—so I say, ‘bring it on!” said Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.

In 2006,Philadelphiajoined EPA’s Green Power Partnership, a launching pad for becoming a Green Power Community.  As part ofPhiladelphia’s Greenworks plan, the City pledges that by 2015, twenty percent of the electricity used inPhiladelphiawill come from alternative energy sources.  The city’s municipal operations have already met this goal, using more than 127 million kilowatt-hours of green power, including generating solar electricity onsite at the city-owned Southeast Water Pollution Control facility.

“The Office of Transportation and Utilities manages the procurement of electricity for the City, and we are committed to purchasing green power,” said Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities. “As a City government we continue to focus on becoming more energy efficient while also diversifying our energy supply to include more renewable sources of energy. Clearly Philadelphia residents and businesses are doing the same, and we’re grateful to be recognized today by the EPA for our efforts.”

Philadelphiaorganizations and businesses, including members of the Philadelphia Green Power Community Collaborative, are actively committed to helpingPhiladelphiamaintain its standing as a leading Green Power Community and increase its use of renewable energy.  Members of the Philadelphia Green Power Community include: the City of Philadelphia, PennFuture, the Clean Air Council, the University City Neighborhood Association, Clean Currents, Community Energy, the Energy Cooperative, EverPower, Renewable Choice, Sterling Planet, Washington Gas Energy Services, and the EPA.

More information on EPA’s Green Power Communities: www.epa.gov/greenpower/communities

More information on EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program: www.epa.gov/greenpower

Philadelphia’s Green Power Community Collaborative: www.PhiladelphiaGreenPower.com

Green power providers in Pennsylvania: www.papowerswitch.com

EPA Media Contact: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543, smith.bonnie@epa.gov

“I am proud to say that Philadelphia has made significant progress in our goal to become America’s greenest city. I hope that other cities can learn from our experiences and build off of them,” said Mayor Nutter. “Philadelphia would not be where it is now without the many partners in the public and private sectors who want to see a cleaner, greener and healthier city. Katherine Gajewski and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability have demonstrated strong leadership on this issue.”

Highlights on current progress include:
• A reduction of municipal energy use by 5%;
• A more than tripled rate for curbside residential recycling;
• Increased access to healthy, affordable food for more than 200,000 Philadelphians;
• 428 miles of bike lanes completed

“We are proud to share our progress in implementing the Greenworks Philadelphia plan,” said Gajewski, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “Equally important, however, is the process. With this report we strive to provide numbers and data along with insight into the experience and lessons learned along the way. Our success so far can be attributed to the many partners within and beyond city government who have embraced the Greenworks goals and are playing a leadership role in driving them forward.”

Some of the new initiatives include:
• Benchmarking large City facilities in order to evaluate City government energy consumption;
• Developing a climate adaptation plan that will address specific vulnerabilities and strategies to deal with climate change; and
• Conducting a regional clean economy survey every two years to track trends and outcomes in the clean economy

Mayor Nutter also announced that the City of Philadelphia in partnership with PhillyCarShare now has the nation’s largest publicly accessible fleet of American-made electric vehicles. The City of Philadelphia, through a grant received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, supported the installation of 20 electric vehicle chargers throughout the city. These changes allowed Philly Car Share to add 20 Chevy Volts to its fleet and provide two chargers to the public. The new fleet of electric vehicles allows the more than 10,000 members of Philly Car Share, a division of Enterprise Holdings, access to cutting edge alternative fuel vehicles that are fun to drive and average 100 miles per gallon equivalent.

The full Greenworks Philadelphia Update and 2012 Progress Report can be found at http://www.phila.gov/green.

“I want to thank the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) for hosting the Inaugural National Soda Summit.

I also want to thank Dr. Michael Jacobson, the Director of CSPI.

For those of you who do not know me, I am Michael Nutter, serving my second term as Mayor of Philadelphia – my hometown. I was born and raised in West Philadelphia.

I am dedicated to making Philadelphia a better city – to me that means being a greener, cleaner, safer and healthier city.

I try to live by example. I eat right, exercise and enjoy things in moderation.

As a politician, my approach to public health has been all-inclusive. Public health is about education, public safety, prevention and intervention, and sustainable green efforts.

As a Councilman, I organized a public hearing on childhood obesity. I saw this as an opportunity to prevent adult obesity as four out of five overweight children grow up to be obese adults.

As Mayor, I have worked to make Philadelphia a more walkable and bikeable city. In 2008, I issued a Complete Street Executive Order, instructing all City agencies to consider the needs of not just motorists, but also pedestrians and cyclists. We now have 20 new miles of bike lanes and a bike and pedestrian plan encompassing the entire city. Not to mention, we are the number one big city for bicycle commuting in the U.S.

I spent 15 years serving as a Councilman for the 4th District of Philadelphia. As a Councilman, I spent 6 years committed to fighting for a smoke-free Philadelphia.

Initially, the bar and restaurant industry was adamantly against the smoking ban. Citizens were opposed to it. Twice it stalled in Council. But after six long years, it passed and was signed into law, prohibiting smoking in all public places. I consider the Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Act one of my greatest achievements.

In Philadelphia, smoking related complications are the leading cause of death. Diseases related to poor nutrition and physical inactivity are second behind smoking.

The truth is simple – obesity is an epidemic.

Over the last three decades, obesity rates have tripled.

In America, two-thirds of adults and a third of children are now overweight or obese.

In Philadelphia, two-thirds of adults and 40% of children are overweight or obese.

In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, more than half of children are overweight or obese.

African American children in Philadelphia have a 15% higher prevalence of obesity than white children in Philadelphia. Hispanic children are 25% more likely than white children to be overweight or obese.

Nearly half of all African American adults have high blood pressure and 20% have diabetes in Philadelphia.

Nationally, obesity is responsible for an estimated $73.1 billion in loss of productivity for the American workforce. In Philadelphia alone, obesity leads to the loss of $1 billion annually in productivity for Philadelphia businesses.

Sugar sweetened beverages are not solely responsible for obesity rates in America. But we can’t deny the two are connected or as the social scientists might say “correlated.”

Sugary drinks, like soda, fruit drinks and sweetened teas, are the single largest sources of sugar in the American diet.

On average, Americans drink 20 oz. of soda a day. At 250 calories per 20 oz. soda that means the average American is drinking an extra 25 pounds a year in soda alone.

Philadelphians consume about 60 million gallons of sugar sweetened beverages each year. That’s a half a liter per day per person.

Children in Philadelphia drink one to two sugary drinks per day on average with African American children consuming significantly more than white children.

These facts clearly show the connection between sugary drinks and weight gain.

Sugary drinks have absolutely no nutritional value. They are empty calories that don’t make you feel full. It might taste good, but it isn’t good for you.

Sugary drinks can even distort the taste preferences of children, making less sweet foods and beverages less appealing.

The question is – who is culpable?

The answer is far more complicated than the question.

Soda companies are not forcing average Americans to buy and drink massive quantities of their product. But the soda industry isn’t being entirely honest with its customers either.

Simply put, local, state and federal governments across the country are fighting a tough battle against Big Soda. Big Soda has more money, more lobbyists and more opportunities to turn people on to their product.

How many commercials for brussel sprouts do you see? How many commercials for soda do you see? Not only are sugary drinks cheap but they are heavily marketed to kids and people of color.

The biggest spender on lobbyists in Philadelphia for the first quarter this year was Big Soda. They outspent any other lobbying group by six times. While their budgets continue to be large – ours is shrinking.

Mayors function at street level, living and working with the citizens who employ them. No one knows what is best for a community more than the public servants who work every day to make life better.

That’s why Mayors across the country and I have proposed taxes or new regulations on sugar sweetened beverages. We need a multi-pronged approach to decrease sugary drinks consumption. Education, taxation, and increased access to healthier options have to all be a part of the discussion.

Just last week, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 oz. His ban would limit large sugary drinks being sold at food service establishments, like fast food restaurants, sports arenas or deli’s. The ban wouldn’t apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based products or beverages with no more than 25 calories per 8 oz. serving.

It’s a bold strategy and is worth evaluating and considering. Studies have shown that people eat what is served to them. Perhaps, if offered smaller portions people would consume less. The problem, which Mayor Bloomberg has clearly noted, is that ridiculously large portions have become the norm – 20 or 24 oz. sugary drinks are common.

Richmond, California has proposed a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. In November, it will appear on the ballot. The tax could influence the choices made by Richmond residents to pick healthier beverages.

These legislative measures send a clear message to soda companies that government is placing a higher value on the health of its citizens.

During my 2010 budget address, I proposed a sugar-sweetened beverage tax of two-cents-per-ounce for the first time. My hope was to impose a tax on retailers based on annual sales volume.

We anticipated the tax would generate $77 million annually which we could use to fund a concentrated health initiative geared toward combating obesity.

Keeping in mind my six year effort for smoke-free legislation, we came close to passage that year.

In 2011, with Philadelphia’s School District facing a significant budget shortfall, I reintroduced the sugar-sweetened beverage tax. At two-cents-per-ounce, this time on distributors, we believed it would close the budget gap.

Each time we introduced the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, we faced determined opposition from the beverage industry.

Our struggle centered on trying to garner public support and Council votes for the tax– but ultimately, the tax proposals didn’t pass.

We did benefit, nonetheless. We were able to raise awareness about the connections between sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity. We created a dialogue about the tough decisions that have to be made to protect the health of our children and productivity of our workforce.

We also saw that powerful interests would not sit back when the status quo is threatened.

The soda industry has three main arguments against the enforcement of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax:

Soda has not been conclusively connected to a rise in obesity rates.

The point remains moot. But no one will argue that soda has a nutritional benefit or that the extra calories sugary beverages inject into the American diet turn into extra pounds over time.

A sugar-sweetened beverage tax or large-serving soda ban negatively affects the personal liberties of low-income individuals.

The government is not trying to legislate individual preference for soda or sugary drinks. Instead, governments want to create and promote policies that encourage citizens to make conscious and well-informed decisions about the health impact of what they are buying for themselves, their families and children.

The purpose of increasing the price is not to gouge lower income families, the purpose is to make people reconsider the cost of what they consume and be informed enough to decide if it is worth it.

By putting a soda tax into effect, people will consume less product resulting in layoffs by the soda industry and increasing unemployment.

Delivery trucks will still need drivers and packaging plants will still need workers, whether it is for 5,000 cases of soda or 5,000 cases of water or 5,000 cases of low-sugar or no-sugar products. People will still be thirsty and drinks will still need to be delivered and will still be sold and bought.

This is a specious scare-tactic that has had impact only because of the weakened economy we have been experiencing.

After the first soda tax failed, Philadelphia’s need for a health initiative that would address the staggering obesity rates remains.

In 2010, Philadelphia received $15 million in funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention over two years to reduce obesity by increasing physical activity and promoting healthy eating.

With that funding, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health started the “Get Healthy Philly Initiative”, a multi-sector initiative to address obesity through both policy and systems changes. Over the last two years, we have been able to accomplish a lot with Get Healthy Philly.

We’ve created healthier schools in partnership with the School District. 171 schools serving 100,000 students have created Wellness Councils to put healthy policies into practice.

More than 90 schools have replaced candy bars with healthy foods.

Schools have also implemented classroom movement breaks to get kids moving around during the day.

We’re also concentrating on afterschool programs. For the first time, food and fitness standards have been developed for 300 after-school programs effecting more than 20,000 low-income students.

Also through Get Healthy Philly, we’ve encouraged people to decrease their consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages. We’re making sure that adults, especially parents, understand the risk of high calorie snacks and sugary beverages to themselves AND their children.

And our Menu Labeling Law gives Philadelphians critical information about calories, salt, fat and carbs while they are making choices. Nearly 40% of customers have said this information leads them to make healthier decisions.

Philly Food Bucks provides low-income Philadelphians with the opportunity to let their dollars last longer. If you use Food Stamps at more than 25 participating Philadelphia farmers’ markets, you can receive a $2 Philly Food Bucks coupon for every $5 you spend. The Philly Food Bucks program has helped increased SNAP redemption at farmers markets by 400%.

And by leveraging federal dollars, we’re providing healthier and tastier meals to 3,000 children every day in recreation centers through the USDA Supper program.

Last summer, we served 2.8 million meals to approximately 90,000 young people across the City with the Summer Food Service Program. This program guarantees young people 18 and younger will receive nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks all summer long for free.

Get Healthy Philly initiatives are not the only ways we are attempting to combat obesity in Philadelphia. We have implemented the:

The Food Trust, Reinvestment Fund and Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition partnered with the Commonwealth to bring supermarkets to low-income urban and rural communities.

We’re created a Healthy Corner Store Network, providing incentives, training and marketing support to 630 corner stores and refrigerated shelving in 100 stores.

Overall, the Fresh Food Financing Initiatives have provided funding for 88 fresh food retail projects in 34 Pennsylvania counties.

This has created or preserved 5,000 jobs and improved access to healthy food for more than a half million people.

Philadelphia has also done some work specifically to address mass consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Since 1999, all public schools that serve primarily low-income families provide comprehensive nutrition education.

Since 2004, the School District banned the sale of all sodas and sugary drinks in school vending machines. Schools discontinued the use of fryers and switched to low-fat milk in 2009.

We’ve made 260 vending machines healthier in municipal buildings. Our vending machines offer more water and non-caloric drinks, put healthy options at eye level, limit portion sizes of sugary drinks, and provide calorie labeling on each machine. Eight other large employers in the city have followed our lead, affecting the choices of 100,000 employees working in Philadelphia.

As a part of Get Healthy Philly, we have launched a mass media campaign to educate citizens about the links between sugary drinks, weight gain and diabetes. This media campaign is primarily aimed at caregivers to help address obesity in our young people and has been viewed 15 million times.

Unfortunately, our original federal funding will run out soon. Luckily, many of the programs and policy changes we have implemented are sustainable without additional funding AND have a long-lasting impact on the people of Philadelphia.

Moving forward, we have secured a $7.5 million over five years grant from the CDC to continue our obesity reduction strategies. In conjunction with that grant, I have committed $2 million of new funding for obesity prevention and tobacco control in the FY13 budget.

In 1964, the Surgeon General’s office released a report called ‘Smoking and Health.’

This report outlined the health risks associated with smoking and in the years since, we have learned more about smoking and second-hand smoke and the health risks associated with both.

After 40 years of warnings about the dangers of smoking, many people were outraged when we decided to ban smoking in public buildings, city-owned outdoor areas, bars and restaurants.

Other cities have also enacted similar legislation, experiencing great push back from the tobacco industry, some restaurants and bars, and the public.

But years later, the number of new smokers is down, smoking rates are down and the tobacco industry hasn’t collapse. Smokers may not have liked the regulations initially but they learned to adjust.

We know the health risks associated with obesity: high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and more.

I understand that correlation is one thing, causality is quite another. That’s why I am calling for the same kind of report on sugar-sweetened beverages as the Surgeon General and the CDC has undertook on tobacco – a comprehensive study of what effects sugary drinks have on the body.

As a community, Philadelphia has a problem with obesity. From the statistics, so do most other American cities. I believe that sugar-sweetened beverages are a major contributor to the obesity problem in America. Luckily for us, it is a problem that we can do something about.

Taxes can play a role in adjusting consumer choices. Mayor Bloomberg’s idea of a serving-size ban could help reduce consumption.

With either approach, one thing is very clear: we need more powerful and definitive scientific-based information that can explain, with minimal doubt, how we as a nation have gotten to this point. To what extent is diet responsible for obesity? What role does sugary drinks play in that? How responsible is the sedentary lifestyle we live for obesity?

In the 19th and early 20th century, we were a nation that used our muscle to shape the landscape of our country and we changed the world. Today, we are a nation stuck in a fight over healthcare costs and coverage, living inactive lives and growing more overweight with every passing year.

We have no idea how much the choices we are making will cost us, our children and our grandchildren. We need to act before it is too late.”