Denver Mayor Michael Hancock unveiled the City of Denver’s 80×50 Climate Action Plan, which includes the goal of transitioning Denver to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Denver represents the 73rd city in the United States to commit to 100% clean electricity and joins nine other Colorado communities that have also adopted the clean energy goal.
Denver’s commitment to move to 100% clean electricity builds on a report issued by the City of Denver’s Office of Sustainability, which found that transitioning Denver to clean energy is vital if the city is to achieve its carbon pollution reduction goals.
“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 to 100% clean energy during his State of the City address on Monday.
“This is a huge victory for Colorado,” said 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% clean energy, our capital city is demonstrating that it is taking serious action on these issues.”
In addition to the goal of powering all electricity in Denver entirely with clean, renewable energy by 2030, other goals include:
- Optimizing energy efficiency in buildings including adopting net-zero building code for new construction by 2035
- 100% light-duty vehicles, taxis, and car shares are electric by 2050
“We at Colorado Working Families know that reducing Denver’s greenhouse gas emissions is not only the right thing to do for our environment and our public health,” stated Wendy Howell, Deputy Director of Colorado Working Families. “This commitment to clean energy also creates an opportunity to create good-paying jobs focused on energy efficiency and developing clean energy alternatives throughout the community.”
Howell added: “We’re proud to work with the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations to implement this goal, which is a true illustration of how protecting our environment and fighting for good jobs can go hand-in-hand.”
Denver’s clean energy commitment is supported by Xcel Energy—Denver’s electric utility provider—which will work with the city to reach their targets under an agreement reached with Mayor Hancock earlier this year. The goal has also been supported by a varied coalition of over 50 nonprofits and businesses.
“The NAACP applauds Mayor Hancock’s action to protect our city from dangerous fossil fuel pollutants,” said Sondra Young, President of the NAACP, Denver Chapter. “African Americans communities are and have historically been, disproportionately affected by negative environmental consequences. Our communities are far more likely to live in regions with severely degraded air quality and forced to pay unsustainable utility bills for energy that is making our families sick. We hope the city will work to assure this transition is one that will include the voices of front-line communities.”
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