Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has unveiled the city’s 80×50 Climate Action Plan, which includes a goal of transitioning Denver to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030, the Sierra Club has announced.
Denver represents the 73rd city in the U.S. to commit to 100% clean energy and joins nine other Colorado communities that have also adopted the goal, according to the Sierra Club.
“Climate change threatens our people directly, putting our health, environment and economy – our very way of life – at risk,” said Hancock, who announced Denver’s commitment during his State of the City address on Monday.
In addition to the goal of powering all electricity in Denver entirely with renewable energy by 2030, other goals include as follows:
- Optimizing energy efficiency in buildings, including adopting a net-zero building code for new construction by 2035; and
- Switching to 100% electric light-duty vehicles, taxis and car shares by 2050.
According to the Sierra Club, Denver’s 100% clean energy commitment is supported by Xcel Energy, Denver’s electric utility provider, which will work with the city to reach its targets under an agreement made with Hancock earlier this year.
“This is a huge victory for Colorado,” notes Jim Alexee, director of the Sierra Club’s Colorado chapter. “We are currently witnessing the catastrophic effects of climate change, illustrated by statewide droughts that are drying our rivers and sparking massive wildfires. With a commitment to 100 percent clean energy, our capital city is demonstrating that it is taking serious action on these issues. We look forward to working with city officials and our local partners to make this commitment a reality and to ensure that Denverites receive the greatest benefits through an equitable clean energy transition.”
Where do renewable transportation fuels fit into the mix? Even if heavy modes of transportation are left out of this announcement I a movement in towards sustainable fuels would be possible and should be pursued.