National magazine names Pittsfield top green city in U.S.

Country Home magazine has listed Pittsfield, Mass. one of the top 25 green cities in the U.S., ranking it number 24 in a list that includes the more famously 'green' states of Oregon, Colorado, California and Washington.

Pittsfield was able to stake that claim through several city initiatives and policies, according to the mayor's office.

They include use of energy-efficient equipment; support of bicycle travel, including installing bike racks in many places; visibility of the town's Center for Ecological Technology, which "helps keep citizens aware of the town's bent toward living green"; investment in green buildings (which entail solar panels, for example); and promotion of farmers markets.

"Besides meeting the basic criteria for a green community, Pittsfield simply looks the part," said a statement from the mayor's office. "With state and local parks abounding and a Massachussetts Audubon sanctuary in the community, people living in Pittsfield have no difficulty in picking up the theme of green."

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