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Longmont Commits to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy by 2030
Longmont, Colo.,– January 9, 2018-- On Tuesday, the Longmont city council voted to approve a resolution committing the community in a shift away from fossil fuels and to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity by 2030. The City Council Resolution builds off of Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley’s Proclamation signed on December 5th establishing a vision for powering the community entirely with clean and renewable sources of energy like wind and solar.
The Colorado Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign is joining Sustainable Resilient Longmont in celebrating Longmont becoming the 55th city in the nation, and seventh city in Colorado to commit to a sustainable and just transition to 100 percent renewable energy.
“We thank the Longmont city council and Mayor Bagley for their dedication to create a truly sustainable future, powered by 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. As one of the most fracked regions in the nation, it’s exciting to see Longmont made the decision to invest in our health and climate,” said Jim Alexee, Colorado Sierra Club Director
“Now, more than ever, action at the local level is crucial to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and transition to a clean energy future,” added Sustainable Resilient Longmont Board Chair Abby Driscoll.
“This is a watershed moment not only for Longmont, but for the broader movement to combat climate change. I’m proud of the grassroots movement that we’ve built over the past year, empowering the people of Longmont to have a voice in what we want the future of Longmont to look like.” said Ready for 100 campaign leader Karen Dike.
“I’m pleased to see the Council taking this step to affirm Longmont’s commitment to clean energy. Our energy production needs to be reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible. This step forward continues us in this direction.” said Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley.
“Longmont is the fourth city in Boulder County, following Boulder, Nederland, and Lafayette to make this commitment, proof that that the momentum for clean energy is both economically feasible on a local level and widely supported by Coloradans,” said Boulder County Commissioner Deb Gardner.
Longmont’s renewable energy commitment follows a recent PACE Global report by the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) which studied the feasibility of moving to zero net carbon. Sustainable Resilient Longmont, along with a coalition of partners commissioned subsequent review of a report by Catalyst Coop, which encourages the PRPA to take into account future costs of wind, solar, and electricity storage. “PRPA is fully aware that the PACE report is conservative. With the renewable investments that PRPA has completed and initiated since commissioning the study, they have already surpassed the parameters of the study. We are confident that PRPA and its four cities will enter a golden age of clean energy together." said Longmont City Council Member Marcia Martin.
“The longer that we depend on old and dirty energy, the more we put our neighbors at risk for asthma and our neighborhoods at risk for climate caused wildfires and floods. 100% renewable energy by 2030 is achievable and affordable. It’s time we make it inevitable,” added State Representative Jonathan Singer.
“That we’re having this discussion shows how rapidly renewable energy has grown. This transition is already creating new possibilities for families, businesses, cities and states as we power the economy affordably and reliably. Thank you Longmont city Council for ensuring a just transition,” said immigrant rights advocate Angel Sanchez.
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Sustainable Resilient Longmont Sustainable Resilient Longmont collaborates with the Longmont community to cultivate a sustainable and thriving city. As the hub for education, advocacy and action, we support the three pillars of sustainability: environmental protection, responsible economic growth and social equity. For more information, please visit www.srlongmont.org
Colorado Sierra Club is our state’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental group, committed to exploring, enjoying and protecting our most precious resources. We’re working to ensure all Colorado communities have access to a healthy and sustainable future by support local grassroots movements to transition away from fossil fuels to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. Learn more at sierraclub.org/colorado
Media Contacts:
Hillary Larson, Colorado Sierra Club
(781) 552-1106 or [email protected]
Abby Driscoll, Sustainable Resilient Longmont
(720) 491-9065 or [email protected]
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