Thomas Riggle, thomas.riggle@gmail.com
Shane Levy, shane.levy@sierraclub.org, 201-679-9507
DENVER, CO -- Today, the Sierra Club released a new report showcasing 10 U.S. cities that have made ambitious commitments to be powered with 100 percent clean, renewable energy like wind and solar.
Denver made its commitment to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity by 2030 earlier this year, and this report highlights Denver as an example for other city leaders looking to do the same.
Ahead of the Global Climate Action Summit this month, the report illustrates the progress that cities in the United States are making to lead climate action globally by driving the transition towards 100 percent clean energy, as well as the pathways these communities are pursuing to transition in an equitable way.
More than 75 U.S. cities have now committed to transition to 100 percent clean energy, including big cities like Atlanta, Georgia and small towns such as Abita Springs, Louisiana. At least six U.S. cities have already achieved 100 percent clean energy and are powered today with entirely renewable sources.
“As leaders from around the world gather in San Francisco this week for the Global Climate Action Summit, one need only look at America’s cities to see how local leadership is having a global impact,” said Jodie Van Horn, Director of the Sierra Club’s Ready For 100 campaign. “Cities are taking meaningful steps to realize a vision for healthy, vibrant, and more equitable communities powered with 100% clean energy. A transition to 100% clean energy is within reach, and together we can create a new energy economy that transforms not only how we power our country but also who has power to decide what’s best for our communities.”
This is the third annual case studies report from Ready For 100, a Sierra Club campaign launched in 2016 working in cities across the United States -- including Denver -- to accelerate a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy.
The cities profiled in this year’s report include: Columbia, South Carolina; Concord, New Hampshire; Denton, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Norman, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; Santa Barbara, California; and St. Louis, Missouri.
“The Denver campaign was a collaborative effort between the Sierra Club, labor groups, environmental organizations, minority organizations and the City of Denver,” said Thomas Riggle, chair of the Colorado Sierra Club’s Denver Metro Network. “As this report shows, bringing together diverse members of the community provided a broad perspective on making a just transition to 100 percent renewable electricity. These transformational relationships will continue to work together to hold the city accountable and push for further progress in addressing the city's climate goals.
“Volunteering for the Ready for 100 campaign has been a most rewarding effort. Getting involved in the community to educate people about the importance of committing to 100 percent clean energy for everyone has been instrumental in helping us strive to a vision of a healthy and thriving Denver,” said John Wright, Denver Metro Network leadership team.
View the report here: sc.org/10-case-studies.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.