Rob Werner, robwerner.uvm@gmail.com, (603) 674-9810
Allyson Samuell, allyson.samuell@sierraclub.org, (518) 538-2627
CONCORD, N.H. -- On Monday, July 9, 2018, the City Council of Concord, New Hampshire voted to establish a goal of transitioning the city to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. The state capital becomes the largest city in New Hampshire to make this commitment.
The resolution adopts a goal of using 100 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2030 and for all sectors including heat and transportation by 2050. Concord is the 72nd city in the United States to commit to transition to 100 percent clean energy.
Concord joins the other New Hampshire communities of Plainfield, Cornish, and Hanover in committing to a future powered entirely by clean energy. Together, these municipalities demonstrate the growing momentum for a clean energy future across the state. Hanover was the first in New Hampshire to adopt a goal to transition to 100 percent clean energy in 2017.
The 100 percent goal was endorsed by the editorial board of the Concord Monitor and organizations including Concord Hospital, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, and the State Employees Association/SEIU Local 1984. The City Council unanimously voted in support of the resolution. A copy of the resolution can be downloaded here.
“I salute Mayor Bouley and my city council colleagues for demonstrating foresight and leadership in embracing a clean energy future for the city of Concord. We look forward to the work ahead, engaging the entire Concord community in this important effort,” said Rob Werner, city councilor and chair of the Energy and Environment Committee.
“Momentum is building for 100 percent clean energy across New Hampshire. Concord’s commitment to renewable energy is also a commitment to clean air, economic growth, and a healthy future for our community. The City now needs to focus on creating its strategic plan for achieving this goal, which should ensure that 100 percent clean energy results in benefits such as affordable energy, new jobs, and clean air for everyone in Concord, especially low-income communities who suffer disproportionately from the current fossil fuel energy system. Leadership from our capital city and the other towns that have already committed to a clean energy future is paving the way for a healthier and more equitable energy system for all New Hampshire residents,” said Rich Maher, member of the Concord Energy and Environment Committee.
The resolution that passed on Monday establishes that the Concord Energy and Environment Committee will lead the development of a strategic plan within one year. This plan will lay out pathways for achieving the city’s 100 percent goal.
The resolution also states that the Concord Energy and Environment Committee will collaborate with the city administration to create a “Stakeholder Committee” that will help shape Concord’s strategic plan to ensure the plan is reflective of input from the broader Concord community.
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.