Hastings, Neb. has accomplished an impressive feat: Despite having three locations listed on the EPA's National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites, it's been deemed the greenest city in America -- by Yahoo. Hastings, Nebraska has accomplished an impressive feat: Despite having three locations listed on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) of hazardous waste sites, it’s been deemed the greenest city in America — by Yahoo.In May, Yahoo announced the “Greenest City in America” Challenge, through which the search company gave Internet users a chance to earn “green credits” for their respective cities — mostly by using various Yahoo services. The city whose residents had piled up the most credits (adjusted to reflect population to even the playing field) was to earn the grandiose title, as well as either a fleet of hybrid taxi cabs or $250,000 to go toward green civic initatives.Well, the winner turned out to be Hastings, which has a population of around 25,000. The city’s claims to fame include being the birthplace of Kool-Aid, as well as home to three of the 1,243 EPA NPL sites, a list of locations in the U.S. that are known or that threaten to release hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. The most recent addition was at West Highway 6 and Highway 281, added the the NPL in April, 2006. The reason: “Hazardous substances have been released into the environment and have impacted two municipal wells, and some private and local business wells.”“The determined green spirit demonstrated by the people of Hastings, Nebraska, underscores Yahoo’s belief that individual actions can add up to significant change,” said Yahoo co-founder David Filo in a written statement in regard to Hastings winning the contest. “Cities from the coasts to the heartland rallied together to participate and we’re encouraged by how the citizens came together around this important cause.”“Hastings is honored to be a part of Yahoo’s ‘Be a Better Planet’ program and to be crowned as the greenest city in America,” said Hastings Mayor Matt Rossen in a written statement. “This achievement has spurred us to become even greener, and we thank all of the citizens in central Nebraska who have supported us and helped promote this great city and state in which we live.” According to Yahoo, the city’s green initiatives include “conversion of methane to energy at its pollution control center, local production of Ethanol E85, extensive networks of parks and hiking and biking trails, and installation of energy-efficient street lighting.” (There was no mention of cleanup of contaminated groundwater sites in Yahoo’s announcement.)Hastings is opting for the $250,000 prize instead of the hybrid cabs. The top 10 winners of Yahoo’s “Greenest City in America” are: 1. Hastings, Nebraska 2. Pelzer, South Carolina 3. San Carlos, California 4. Mill Valley, California 5. Topeka, Kansas 6. Dover, Delaware 7. Spring, Texas 8. Lawrence, Kansas 9. Walnut Creek, California 10. Fairfax, Virginia Technology Industry