Committed

What are 100% Clean Energy Commitments?

Over 160 cities, more than ten counties, and eight states across the U.S. have goals to power their communities with 100% clean, renewable energy. These commitments—formalized in resolutions, climate action plans, renewable portfolio standards, and other policies—are the product of leadership from coalitions of civic champions, frontline activists, and Ready For 100 organizers nationwide. In total, over 100 million people now live in a community with an official 100% renewable electricity target.

The strongest commitments establish this clean energy vision alongside a plan for achieving it. Communities forging their own paths to reach 100% are setting examples for others to follow, whether by pushing utilities to switch to more clean energy, powering city-owned buildings with renewables, or prioritizing energy efficiency to reduce energy waste with community workshops and weatherization for low-income homes. Many cities are banding together to advocate for improved energy policies at the state level to meet their ambitious vision.

Committing to 100% clean, renewable energy is a first step on a city’s path to renewable energy transition—and it’s far from the last. To make sure that its benefits are felt community-wide, those most affected by environmental injustices must be at the center of planning a roadmap for reaching 100%. Involvement of the communities most impacted by fossil fuel pollution is critical to equitably reaching this vision.

Our Approach to 100% Policies

When crafting a commitment to 100% renewable energy, Ready For 100 recommends that the adopted goal includes the following elements: 

• Community-wide Electricity Use: A full transition of the electricity sector to clean, renewable energy;

• By 2035: A target year for when this commitment will be achieved no later than 2035 for electricity and 2050 for all energy sectors;

• Ensure Justice, Equity, Affordability, and Access: A commitment should include measures that prioritize equity affordability, and access for all members of the community, prioritizing low income communities, environmental justice communities and communities burdened by the fossil fuel industry.

• Clean and Renewable Resources Only: This includes carbon and pollution free energy sustainably collected from renewable sources including wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal. Low-impact, small hydro and some forms of biomass may be included after being evaluated for sustainability and environmental justice implications. Nuclear, natural gas, coal, oil based, or any other forms of carbon-based energy production are not included as clean or renewable sources of energy. Check out Sierra Club’s complete energy policy.

• A Transparent and Inclusive Planning and Implementation Process ensuring that the community members and local businesses have an opportunity to participate.

Strong commitments also include:

• All Energy Sectors: A commitment to transition other energy sectors to 100% including transportation and heating and cooling;

• A Local Generation Goal: A goal for how much of the community’s energy needs will be met by local, distributed generation;

• Near term implementation steps: At least the first year and ideally a five year plan;

• Commitment to Collaboration: A commitment to work with surrounding communities in achieving aligned clean energy and equity goals;

• Commitment to Advocate: A commitment to advocate for policies or regulations at the state, regional and/or federal level that aid the city in their transition

While pledges, executive orders, utility targets, and mayoral support are all great progress toward formalizing 100% clean, renewable energy goals, Ready For 100 advocates for more binding policies to establish clean energy goals. Additionally, we only recognize policies that set the course for 100% clean energy community-wide. That includes municipal, residential, and commercial energy use. While all of these 150+ localities have committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity no later than 2050, many have gone further to include transportation and household heating or ambitious dates that represent the immediacy of climate change. 

For more information on what makes a strong Ready for 100 commitment, check out our Guidelines for 100% Renewable Energy Commitments. 

Think you know a community that has made a 100% clean, renewable energy commitment? Let us know!

For general questions on these policies, reach out RF100.Policy@sierraclub.org

Any legislative lobbying (including non-binding resolutions) is conducted by a separate Ready for 100 Action campaign using 501(c)(4) funds

See the full map and list view of communities committed to 100% clean energy.