‘Green’ business program OKd

Following the lead of several programs in the Bay Area and Santa Monica, the Los Angeles City Council approved a new program Friday to certify “green” businesses.

The program, proposed by City Councilman Richard Alarcon last year, was delayed because of the city’s budget crunch. This week the Department of Water and Power announced it would provide $150,000 to finance the program for the first year while the city pursues other funding.

With Friday’s 11-0 vote, the city will begin searching for a company, most likely a nonprofit, to run the program and award the official green business certification seal to local businesses that institute measures to increase recycling, reduce water and energy consumption and encourage employees to carpool.

Alarcon said he hoped the program would be functioning within six months.