Shawn Lesser, Managing Partner of Watershed Capital Group wrote on a blog on CleanTechies that he believes that Seattle is No. 5 on a list of the top ten cleantech US cities. Boston, San Jose, Austin, and San Francisco rated ahead of Seattle. “Seattle has been leaving its mark in cleantech society by increasing the need for green standards. The Green Building Sustainable Communities Program, for example, creates city projects that meet sustainable outcomes. Tax breaks and loans are provided to businesses and residences that utilize green practices. Seattle has been a leader in using their garbage to get electricity. They have invested into electricity from garbage landfills. Seattle also houses the top Green Fleet Plan in the nation, which works toward the adoption of alternative sources of fuel, advanced technology vehicles, fuel reduction policies, and educational programs. But the biggest reason for the impact of cleantech? The participation of the local community. The Seattle community has been instrumental in energy efficiency policies.” (via TechFlash)