A new study released this week by the City of Denver Department of Environmental Health shows that transitioning Denver to 100% clean and renewable energy is vital for the city to achieve its carbon pollution reduction goals.
According to the new study, transitioning Denver to 100% renewable energy is vital for the city to achieve its pollution-reduction goals.
The long awaited study, which was the result of a stakeholder process first announced last year by the Department of Environmental Health, affirms that moving to 100% clean energy by 2030 or earlier is an achievable strategy that Denver can pursue to meet the city’s 80% by 2050 carbon reduction goal.
To assure the strategies outlined in this report are reflective of the entire community of Denver, the city has opened a 60-day public comment period and is encouraging all who live or work in Denver to voice their thoughts on the plan.
“For far too long Denver has suffered some of the worst air quality in the nation, putting our neighborhoods and families at risk. Today’s report demonstrates that Denver is positioned to take the bold action necessary to improve our air quality, protect the health of residents, and limit climate change,” said Jim Alexee, Colorado Sierra Club Director.
The new Climate Action Plan report comes just weeks after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issued a vision for powering all of Denver with clean, renewable energy during his State of the City address.
If Denver were to formally establish a goal of shifting to 100% clean and renewable energy, the city would join other Colorado communities including Pueblo, Boulder, and Aspen that have already made the commitment.
“The actions Denver has taken to plan for a clean energy transition are critical not only for our climate but also necessary to protect our health,” said Jason D. McCarl, Medical Doctor. “The American Lung Association reported that our city has the 11th worst ozone levels in the nation, and north Denver contains the most polluted zip code in the United States. We know that communities of color are disproportionately affected by the health problems caused by pollution, particularly the production, transportation, and burning of dirty fossil fuels including coal, oil, and natural gas. If we can transition Denver to 100 % clean and renewable electricity, we’ll be ensuring our families and communities a healthy future for generations to come”
Filed Under: Policy
