Caleb Heeringa, caleb.heeringa@sierraclub.org, (425) 890-9744
Eddy Ury, Re:Sources for Sustainable Communities, eddyu@re-sources.org, (360) 733-8307 ext. 215
BELLINGHAM, WA - On Monday, May 7, 2018, Bellingham, Washington adopted a resolution stating its ambition to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. When the city completes the planning process in May 2019, Bellingham will become the second city in the state to make this commitment, after Edmonds.
The Bellingham City Council approved a resolution that establishes its commitment to a planning process that will assess the feasibility and pathways for getting to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. A copy of the resolution can be found on page 122 here. The measure was helped across the finish line thanks to determined grassroots organizing by the local chapter of 350.org and Re:Sources for Sustainable Communities.
“Bellingham adopted our first Climate Action Plan ten years ago,” said Bellingham Councilmember Michael Lilliquist, “and our updated Plan sets even higher goals. Our ambition is not just for municipal energy use, but to explore the same pollution fighting reductions for the community as a whole.”
In addition to the updated Plan, the Bellingham City Council approved a resolution that establishes a task force to identify additional pathways for getting to 100 percent renewable energy across the board by 2030.
"Our communities share the City Council's bold ambitions. Solar power is already booming in Bellingham and growing everyday. Forward-thinking policies are essential to our transition away from fossil fuels, and we applaud Councilmembers for listening to residents and taking action to reach our goals of clean, affordable energy for all by the 2030's," said Eddy Ury, Clean Energy Program Manager at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities.
“Bellingham is helping speed the transition away from fossil fuels and towards a clean energy future. Change starts at the local level, and this kind of leadership is going to be key in forcing utilities like Puget Sound Energy to do the right thing and provide the clean energy its customers are demanding,” said Jessica Koski, Associate Organizer for the Sierra Club.
To date, 66 cities across the U.S. have committed to transition to 100 percent clean energy.
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.