SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – March 4, 2013 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld today recognized Arizona State University’s Sustainable Cities Network in a short ceremony.  The Pacific Southwest Region’s 2012 Green Government Award was presented to Anne Reichman, program manager for the Sustainable Cities Network at ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability.

“EPA applauds the Sustainable Cities Network and its work to bridge the gap between ASU’s sustainability research and the front-line communities facing sustainability challenges,” Blumenfeld said.  “The dialogue and actions fostered by the Network are crucial to the development of green and sustainable future for Arizona.”

The Sustainable Cities Network (the Network) is a collaborative program created by Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS) to increase regional dialogue and action amongst Arizona communities. In partnership with local city, county and tribal leaders from the Valley, GIOS established the voluntary Network in late 2008, linking together municipal and tribal sustainability practitioners from over 25 jurisdictions and Maricopa County. Through the regular meetings of its five workgroups, the Network educates and works with local community partners to streamline green city operations, advance solar and renewable energy, mitigate urban heat island, design sustainable neighborhoods and deal with water challenges associated with a changing climate.

The Network has been successful in obtaining grant funds to further workgroup initiatives associated with green infrastructure, low impact development (LID), and streamlining solar processes. The Sustainable Cities Network is one of the first university/community-based sustainability outreach programs in the country. It serves as a successful model that can be replicated by other universities to create community engagement focused on greening government and increasing local sustainability.

The EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitments and significant contributions to protecting the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Groups and individuals were selected from nominees received this year from businesses, government officials, tribes, media, academia, environmental organizations and community activists. For more information on the other 2012 award winners please visit: http://epa.gov/region9/awards

The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of Arizona State University’s sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education, and business practices for an urbanizing world. Visit www.sustainability.asu.edu and track Twitter at www.twitter.com/asugreen.

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Media contacts:

Rusty Harris-Bishop

415-972-3140

Harris-Bishop.Rusty@epa.gov

Tara Mogan

480-727-9447

Tara.Mogan@asu.edu