Pueblo, Colorado, and Moab, Utah became the 22nd and 23rd cities in the United States to commit to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy.
More than 7,000 people in Pueblo have had their electricity shut off because of the high cost of electricity, so the move to 100% renewable energy is one that will help the climate and the community.
This week, the Pueblo City Council approved a measure committing to power the community entirely with renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar by 2035. The vote was immediately followed by the Moab City Council approving a resolution committing Moab to 100% renewable energy by 2032.
“Pueblo and Moab join a growing movement of communities, which are charting a course away from dirty fuels toward one with healthier families, more economic security, and greater prosperity through 100% clean, renewable energy,” said Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director.
Cities like Pueblo and Moab have long suffered the consequences of dirty energy and utility reliance on fossil fuels. Pueblo, for example, has a sizable low-income population that has been suffering from the high cost of electricity due to the local utilities’ decision to build new gas infrastructure and saddle the cost with ratepayers.
In Utah, Canyonlands National Park has been marred by haze pollution from two neighboring coal plants, which threatens the local Moab tourism industry, the economic lifeblood of the community. With this week’s announcements, both communities are poised to confront these threats by transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.
“We are honored to stand with city leaders and our partners as communities across the United States make the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy,” added Brune. “Through bold leadership from places like Pueblo and Moab, the movement for clean energy will only continue to grow as more and more cities and towns get on board.”
“The climate crisis is a global challenge, but many of our strongest leaders are at the local level,” said Ken Berlin, CEO of The Climate Reality Project. “It is a pleasure to see The Climate Reality Project and the Sierra Club work together to support this groundswell of local leadership and help Moab, Utah, and Pueblo, Colorado, pledge to go 100% renewable.”
Filed Under: News, Policy
