Atlanta becomes the 27th US city to commit to 100% renewables

Atlanta lawmakers passed a resolution on Monday 1 May to pursue 100 per cent renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, to power the city by 2035. 

The resolution was introduced by Councilman Kwanza Hall, and was unanimously approved by the city council.

The city government must now develop a strategy for transitioning all of its buildings to clean electricity sources by 2025, and for the entire city a decade later.

Kwanza Hall said in a statement: “We know that moving to clean energy will create good jobs, clean up our air and water and lower our residents’ utility bills…We never thought we’d be away from landline phones or desktop computers, but today we carry our smart phones around and they’re more powerful than anything we used to have. We have to set an ambitious goal or we’re never going to get there.”

The move will see Atlanta become the 27th U.S. city, and the first in the state of Georgia, to commit to 100 per cent renewable energy – according to the Sierra Club.

Ted Terry, Director of the Sierra Club’s Georgia Chapter, said in a statement: “Today’s commitment will inspire bold, ambitious leadership from cities throughout the United States and pave the way for a healthier and stronger Atlanta.” 

On 18 April, South Lake Tahoe, California, became the 26th city in the U.S. to officially commit to 100 per cent renewable energy – according to the Sierra Club.

The South Lake Tahoe city council approved a measure establishing a goal of transitioning the community entirely to renewable sources of electricity by 2032.

Earlier this year, Madison, Wisconsin and Abita Springs in Louisiana committed to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy following respective city council votes on 21 March.

Madison Common Council unanimously voted in favour of the allocation of $250,000 to develop a plan by 18 January 2018 which will include target dates for reaching these goals, interim milestones, budget estimates and estimated financial impacts.

Abita Springs also voted unanimously to generate 100 per cent of the community’s electricity from renewable energy sources, with the target set for 31 December 2030.

The month before, Pueblo, Colorado, and Moab, Utah became the 22nd and 23rd cities in the country to pledge to run entirely on renewables.

On 13 February, the Pueblo City Council approved a measure to source the entire community’s power demand from renewable energy, including wind and solar, by 2035.

The following day, the Moab City Council approved a resolution committing the city to 100 per cent renewables by 2032.

Last month, Chicago, Portland and Albuquerque also made significant commitments towards the adoption of renewables.

For the latest news on renewable energy, sustainability and climate change, sign up to our free newsletter here.