The road to 100% renewable energy — February update

Imagine a world powered by clean, renewable energy. Environment America’s advocates, organizers and members are spreading this vision to college campuses, cities and states across the country, organizing for commitments to 100 percent renewable energy.

Imagine a world powered by clean, renewable energy. Environment America’s advocates, organizers and members are spreading this vision to college campuses, cities and states across the country, organizing for commitments to 100 percent renewable energy.

Our clean energy vision for 2020: 15 more states going 100% renewable

Six states are officially committed to reaching 100 percent clean electricity by 2050 or sooner. The question we’re asking this year: Who will be next?

On Jan. 30, Environment America launched campaigns in 15 states to pass laws requiring statewide transitions to 100 percent clean or renewable energy. The states vying to be the next to go 100 percent renewable are Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Virginia.

“States have a golden opportunity to continue moving the ball forward, and those that are aiming high are already seeing big results,” said Emma Searson, director of our national network’s 100% Renewable Energy campaign. “We’re here to make sure states take action sooner rather than later.”

Over the past two years, our network has been instrumental in winning 100 percent clean energy commitments in California, New Mexico, Maine and Washington.

Read more.

Photo: David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, campaigns for a 100% renewable Pennsylvania. Credit: Pennsylvania State Legislature


Which states will commit to 100% next?

Keep up to date on our campaign and see our road to 100% progress map on our website. 

Check it out

 

Vanderbilt to take first step toward 100% renewable energy with new solar farm

Vanderbilt University’s path to 100 percent clean energy is underway, setting an example for schools and other communities across the country.

On Jan. 22, Vanderbilt announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service to procure renewable energy from a 35-megawatt solar farm to be built in Bedford County, Tennessee. The new solar farm will supply enough renewable energy to offset approximately 70 percent of Vanderbilt’s indirect greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity — the equivalent of taking nearly 7,000 cars off the road for a year.

Our national research partner Environment America Research & Policy Center trained Vanderbilt students in organizing tactics to help them win the university’s clean energy commitment last April.

“We look forward to working with students and administrators at Vanderbilt to continue making it a shining example of higher education leadership in the clean energy revolution,” said Bronte Payne, director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s 100% Renewable Campuses campaign.

Read more.

Photo: Vanderbilt University is taking the first step toward its goal of 100% renewable energy by partnering with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service to procure renewable energy from a 35-megawatt solar farm to be built in Bedford County, Tenn. Credit: Jimmy Emerson DVM via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)


Massachusetts Senate passes Energy SAVE Act 

Your next refrigerator or dishwasher could use less energy or water while saving you money and reducing your impact on the environment.

On Jan. 30, the Massachusetts state Senate passed the Energy SAVE Act, which would set efficiency standards for new faucets, showerheads, commercial dishwashers, ovens and dozens of other products. The standards set by this legislation are expected to reduce Massachusetts’ annual carbon emissions by 271,000 metric tons by 2035 and cut water consumption by 9.8 billion gallons per year.

“Appliance efficiency standards are a sensible way to improve the health of people and the planet,” said Environment Massachusetts State Director Ben Hellerstein. “By reducing the amount of unnecessary energy wasted by common products, we can take a big bite out of pollution. I commend Senate President Spilka, Sen. Rodrigues, and Sen. Barrett for bringing this important legislation up for a vote.”

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Read more.

Photo: The Energy SAVE Act would set efficiency standards for new faucets, showerheads, commercial dishwashers, ovens and dozens of other products. Credit: KOMO News via Flickr (CC-BY-2.0)


Arizona’s largest utility commits to 100% clean energy by 2050

Arizona gets a lot of sun. Now, the state’s largest utility has a plan to get the most out of it.

On Jan. 22, Arizona Public Service (APS) committed to a goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050. APS’ plan also includes an interim goal of getting 45 percent of the utility’s power from renewable sources by 2030, making it the first major U.S. utility to set a target of tripling its renewable energy generation by the end of the decade.

“It’s becoming clear each day that renewable energy is the go-to option for states, cities, businesses, households — and even utilities,” said 100% Renewable Energy Campaign Director Emma Searson. “While we applaud APS for taking this critical step, we urge them to prioritize truly clean sources, namely solar and wind, to reach their 100 percent goal.”

“Arizona can and should tap into the nearly limitless renewable energy from the sun, leading the way toward a cleaner, healthier future.”

Read more.

Photo: Arizona Public Service (APS) committed to a goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050. Credit: Public domain


In the news

Green group announces 100% carbon-free campaigns in 15 states for 2020, S&P Global, 1/30/2020

15 States are Calling for 100% Clean Energy With Backing of Environment America, Cleantech Law Partners, 1/30/2020

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