John Burns, Wake County Commissioner - john.burns@wakegov.com
Stephanie Steinbrecher, Sierra Club - stephanie.steinbrecher@sierraclub.org
RALEIGH, NC – On Monday, October 15, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted to commit to transition county operations to 100 percent clean and renewable energy countywide by 2050.
The resolution can be viewed here.
Wake County joins Buncombe and Orange Counties in committing to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. Communities from across the state, including Asheville, have also called for a national transition for 100 percent clean energy. Wake County had previously endorsed the Paris Accords and this summer passed new building energy management guidelines that, among other efficiency requirements, require all buildings constructed with county funds to be solar-ready
In response, Wake County Commissioner John Burns released the following statement:
“The recent IPCC Report made absolutely clear that major changes are needed in order to avoid climate catastrophe. By adopting this resolution and committing itself to 100% Clean Energy by 2050 and 80% by 2035, Wake County has taken another step towards contributing to a solution. We recognize the challenge, but understand it is the right thing to do.”
Olufemi Lewis, lead organizer with the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign, issued the following statement:
“This announcement from Wake County, along with Buncombe and Orange Counties’ commitments to being powered by clean and renewable energy, can lead to a more equitable and just energy system for North Carolina communities. By moving towards 100 percent renewable energy in North Carolina, we have an opportunity to reinvest in the health and wellbeing of the residents of our state, as well as the strength of our local businesses and economy. The towns and cities in Wake County now must work with the community to determine a path forward to an equitable, just future for everyone.”
The county also joins nine other counties and 89 towns and cities across the United States in adopting a 100% renewable energy goal.
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.