Atlanta officials want city to top green rankings

ATLANTA — City officials want to make Atlanta a top ranking city when it comes to sustainability.

“Being a more sustainable city not only protects and preserves the environment, it makes economic sense for the city,” Mandy Mahoney, Atlanta's director of sustainability, said in a news release. “It helps drive financial savings and efficiency and creates jobs.”

The city's “Power to Change” plan sets a number of benchmarks, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020 and making renewable energy account for 5 percent of “municipal use” by 2015.

“I believe the City of Atlanta should be a leading example of how a major urban municipality can take greater responsibility for efficient energy and water use, the conservation of green space, and the promotion of a healthier, cleaner and greener environment,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a news release. “It is vital we take concrete, measurable actions around sustainability now to protect the future of our city.”