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25 US Cities have Now Committed to 100% Renewables

18-04-2017

In March 2017, two more cities in the U.S. have committed to transition to 100% renewable energy, bringing the total number of cities committing to this ambitious target to 25.  

 

Madison, Wisconsin and Abita Springs, Louisiana will transition to 100% renewable energy following city council votes on Tuesday 21 March.

 

Both cities are the first in their states to commit to sourcing entire communities’ power demands from renewable energy.

 

Earlier this year, Pueblo, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, became the 22nd and 23rd cities in the U.S. to commit to 100% renewable energy targets. They join a growing coalition of cities throughout the country, from large cities like San Diego, California and Salt Lake City, Utah to smaller ones including Georgetown, Texas and Greensburg, Kansas.

 

Madison is the largest city in the Midwest to establish a 100% renewable energy and net-zero carbon emissions target. Madison Common Council Member Alder Zach Wood said:  “The benefits of a transition to 100% clean energy are many. These goals will drive a clean energy economy that creates local jobs, provides affordable and sustainable electricity, and results in cleaner air and water. I am proud to be a part of this council that has made the historic commitment that will lead our community to a more sustainable future."

 

Abita Springs also voted unanimously to derive 100% of the community’s electricity from renewable energy sources, with the target set for December 31, 2030. Greg Lemons, Abita Springs' Republican Mayor, said: "Transitioning to 100% renewable energy is a practical decision we're making for our environment, our economy, and for what our constituents want in Abita Springs…Politics has nothing to do with it for me. Clean energy just makes good economic sense.”

 

The Sierra Club commented that the results of Tuesday’s votes show the growing bipartisan support for alternative energy development. The news follows the announcement made by legislators in Massachusetts that commits the state to using renewables to meet all of its energy needs by 2050.