Salt Lake City joins cascade of cities committing to 100% renewables

The dominoes are starting to fall solar’s way, as the Utah capital committed to producing all of its electricity from renewable sources in 15 years, joining an ever-growing group of cities who have already done so.

April 13, 2017 Frank Andorka

Salt Lake City is just latest of more than 25 U.S. cities that have committed to generating 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

It’s almost like the momentum behind the U.S. shift to renewable energy sources – especially solar – can’t be stopped.

The latest to join the parade of more than 25 cities that have already committed to producing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy is Salt Lake City, whose Mayor Jackie Biskupski released detailed plans on how the city would reach the goal by 2032. The plan also promises 80% reductions in energy and transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

“Salt Lake City is committed to lead on climate change and act in ways that bolster the long-term vitality of our community and the health of our planet,” Biskupski said. “Investing in renewable energy, clean transportation systems, and sustainable food programs not only reduces carbon pollution, it also builds an identity for our city and hope for the future.”

Salt Lake City is only the latest large U.S. city to join the renewable revolution. Early this week, Chicago and Portland, Ore., announced their intentions to produce 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and 2035, respectively. They join other big cities like San Francisco and San Diego, in the rush to meet aggressive renewable energy goals.

But it’s not only large cities making the switch. Last month, Madison, Wisconsin, and Abita Springs, Louisiana, plunged, joining cities like Rochester, Minnesota, and East Hampton, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, as smaller cities are showing the rest of the country that it’s not just big cities that can have significant effects on changing the energy mix in the United States.

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