Sara Edgar, (314) 497-8757, sara.edgar@sierraclub.org
St. Louis, MO. -- Today, Lewis Reed, President of the Board of Aldermen for the City of St. Louis introduced a resolution calling for the City to pursue a transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. If approved, St. Louis will join over 40 cities across the county that have committed to move to 100 percent clean and renewable energy like wind and solar.
“Setting this goal will continue the growth in clean energy jobs in St. Louis while also protecting public health by reducing air pollution,” said Lewis Reed, President of the Board of Aldermen. “St. Louis is taking the lead and acknowledging the threat of climate change. This is a serious issue in our world that we need to address in our City for the safety and wellbeing of our residents.”
A Clean Jobs Midwest report issued yesterday by Clean Energy Trust and Environmental Entrepreneurs found that there were 3,800 clean energy jobs in St. Louis in 2016, up 6 percent from 2015 jobs figures. These jobs represent 1,900 jobs in energy efficiency, 300 in renewable energy, and 1,900 in clean fuels, alternative vehicles, etc.
"With St. Louis moving towards signing on for 100% clean energy, our city is proactively signing on to improve air quality, create new jobs in the expanding renewable energy sector, and joining the rest of the globe in taking action to address climate change,” said Rev. Rodrick Burton of New Northside Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Burton and his church on Goodfellow Boulevard have already shown clean energy leadership by installing solar panels on the church and the congregation’s community center, which Rev. Burton estimates saves the church $3,000 annually.
In June, President Reed introduced a resolution that was passed by the Board of Aldermen upholding the City’s commitment to the Paris Climate Accord. Mayor Lyda Krewson also recently joined a group called Climate Mayors, committing the City to do its part to implement the Paris Climate Accord.
“Committing to 100% clean energy is a win-win that can bring us reduced energy bills, good local jobs, and cleaner air and water, while addressing the threat of catastrophic climate change,” said Sara Edgar of the Missouri Sierra Club.
More than 100 major businesses and corporations have committed to 100% clean energy, including many that have a presence in St. Louis. Both Anheuser Busch InBev and Nestle Purina which are headquartered in the City of St. Louis have committed to achieving 100% clean energy. Meanwhile, businesses that have locations within the city, such as Microsoft, IKEA, Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Wells Fargo have made similar commitments. More and more businesses are now basing where they build new locations based on the availability of clean energy sources such as wind. By pursuing a transition to 100% clean energy, St. Louis is further committing to becoming a leader in the tech start-up community and an attractive location for new business growth.