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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:14.0pt'>Low ranks spur
green plans in Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>By John David Sutter<br>
Staff Writer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Despite their efforts to appear more green, Oklahoma
City and Tulsa again ranked among the least environmentally friendly cities in
the country, according to an analysis released Monday by an environmental
group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Tulsa placed 48th and Oklahoma City 49th on
the green cities list, which includes the 50 most populous cities in the
country. A group called SustainLane creates the annual list based on a number
of criteria that include air quality, commute lengths, energy and climate
policy, city planning and the presence of a green economy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
greenest city on the list was Portland, Ore., followed by San Francisco. The
least environmentally friendly city was Mesa, Ariz. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Oklahoma
City held its place from last year's rankings, and Tulsa dropped eight spots. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Oklahoma's
legacy as an oil and gas state hurt its two largest cities in the report, as
did the fact that neither city's bus system is well used by comparison with
other cities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Oklahoma
City ranked last, and Tulsa ranked next to last in terms of the number of
people who use public transportation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Both
cities also are failing to promote a green economy and energy-efficient
buildings, according to the report. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Hope for future<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Despite their listed shortcomings, the report
says there is cause for hope that Oklahoma City and Tulsa may have greener
futures. Tulsa plans to plant 20,000 trees by 2010, and Oklahoma City Mayor
Mick Cornett has the public buy-in necessary to make green improvements, the
group says. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Cornett
said Monday that he was "disappointed” in Oklahoma City's low ranking. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>"I'm
not arguing with the ranking. I'm just pointing out that we've got a long way
to go,” he said. "It's something we take seriously. ... We need to do
better.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
city may address its lacking public transit system as soon as next year and is
looking to hire someone to address sustainability and environmental issues in
the city, the mayor said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Cornett
said it's unclear whether humans are causing climate change. He said Oklahoma
City needs a cultural shift in order to be more environmentally friendly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>"We
live in a culture that is still surrounded by the automobile,” he said,
"and although we've taken some significant steps in the last year ...
we've got a long way to go.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>::: <a href="http://newsok.com/article/3301492/">http://newsok.com/article/3301492/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:150%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:150%;font-family:"Malgun Gothic","sans-serif";color:black'>::: shauna
</span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Malgun Gothic","sans-serif";
color:#365F91'>lawyer</span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:
150%;font-family:"Malgun Gothic","sans-serif";color:black'> struby</span></b><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Malgun Gothic","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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