Report: An Alternative to Electricity Monopolies Enables Communities to Center People and Planet

BY JOHN FARRELL | DATE: 19 FEB 2020 Download the Report Register for a webinar on the report, March 5th, 2020 at 12pm CT

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More communities than ever want to exercise control over their energy systems. In 2016, Americans collectively spent $360 billion buying electricity. Most of the revenue accrued to the benefit of increasingly-large, investor-owned utilities. Inspired by the individuals who put solar on their roofs, cities, counties, and states want the option to take charge and more widely share the financial and economic benefits of the clean energy transition. It’s why an increasing number of states have allowed community choice energy.

A Growing Power

Enabled by law in nine states, numerous cities are exercising their right to purchase energy on behalf of millions of electricity customers. Community choice simplifies the more widely available tool of a utility takeover by allowing communities to make energy supply decisions without buying the poles and wires of the existing electric utility. The following chart illustrates the market share of community choice programs by state (New Hampshire is not shown, since its policy was adopted in July 2019).

In three states, in particular, community choice is growing rapidly. In California, for example, the share of sales to electricity customers rose from 5 percent to 18 percent in the last year alone. In New York, nearly fifty municipalities have joined community choice programs in the past year. In Massachusetts, 150 communities have joined since 2015.

Going Deeper

While many community choice programs have modest ambitions to lower energy costs through economies of scale, a growing number of programs have expanded their scope to include:

  • Facilitating ambitious energy efficiency programs
  • Accelerating adoption of renewable energy
  • Investing in local renewable energy projects
  • Prioritizing local economic development
  • Incorporating more community governance
  • Integrating with city energy, economic development, and environmental planning
  • Helping low-income residents access economic opportunities 

For example, the following chart shows that many community choice programs offer 100% renewable electricity by default or as an option.

California Exceptionalism

In no state have community choice programs shown more ambition than in California, a complement to their rapid and expansive growth. This report explores several factors leading to California’s exceptional choice agencies and several ways they continue to push the limits of public power, including:

  • Struggling with incumbent monopoly utilities at the legislature, the regulatory commission, and on the ballot for the right to community choice.
  • Building larger aggregations of communities than in most other states, and then banding together in a statewide trade organization.
  • Signing long-term contracts enabling the construction of new renewable energy resources.
  • Advancing planning and energy management by integrating with city zoning, permitting, and other local authority. 
  • Sparking a regulatory revolution to accommodate the likely shift of a majority of electric customers to community choice by the end of 2020.

Community Governance

As Golding explains in his LinkedIn post about the evolution, “California Community Choice agencies are actively working with other municipal agencies and departments to coordinate their activities to meet local energy policy goals — not just wholesale electricity but also distributed energy and multi-sectoral decarbonization — spanning building codes, permitting,
transportation planning, zoning and land use, manufacturing, emergency planning and disaster relief.” (44)

In other words, community choice becomes a tool for community-wide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and wider community economic development goals, not just electricity procurement. He highlights two powerful examples: (45)

  • The Sonoma Clean Power agency routinely works with their County Transit Planning Authority, regional Climate Protection Agency, and Water Authority — and they’ve implemented preferred zoning for small-scale solar PV, integrated electric vehicle charging standards into their building codes, and deployed a network of electric vehicle stations for managed charging.
  • The Lancaster Choice Energy agency has been working with their regional transit agency to electrify public transportation buses — the partnership led to an electric bus manufacturer siting a manufacturing facility in Lancaster to produce the electric buses.

Another challenge is transition costs. The three incumbent investor-owned utilities in California have lobbied for exit fees known as “power cost
indifference adjustments” to be applied to the bills of community choice customers. The fees would ostensibly cover the cost of investments made, with the expectation of serving the customers that have since selected a local provider. In October 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission ordered customers of community choice programs to pay a higher exit fee
than previously. The result was significant, according to Utility Dive coverage:

“In Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) territory, CCA residential customers departing in
2018 would pay an additional 1.68% on their bills. In San Diego Gas & Electric’s
(SDG&E) territory, the increase would top 5%”. (46)
Challenges at the Edge of Innovation
The rapid rise of community choice energy raises some unique questions. For one, how does
state level renewable energy policy incorporate community choice?
The responsibility for reaching state renewable energy goals presented a problem in Illinois,
when hundreds of communities stampeded to create programs in the wake of legislation in 2012
to take advantage of lower prices. The state’s renewable energy standard didn’t apply to
community choice programs, effectively opting them out of clean energy progress. Although the
problem has since been solved, it resulted in slower than expected growth in wind and solar
generation in Illinois.
Already, this issue has intersected with another challenge: transition costs. The three incumbent
investor-owned utilities in California have lobbied for exit fees known as “power cost
indifference adjustments” to be applied to the bills of community choice customers. The fees
would ostensibly cover the cost of investments made, with the expectation of serving the
customers that have since selected a local provider. In October 2018, the California Public
Utilities Commission ordered customers of community choice programs to pay a higher exit fee
than previously. The result was significant, according to Utility Dive coverage:
In California, renewable energy issues have presented in a different way. Community choice
agencies moved to accelerate adoption of renewable energy. However, the rapid shift to
community power left legacy utilities holding old contracts for wind and solar and fewer
customers to pay for them. These early contracts have much higher prices than current
renewable energy projects, but it was these projects that established the market, gave
developers experience, and built grid management expertise to allow the market to mature. In
other words, how do state policy makers decide who pays for old clean energy deployment as
communities take charge?
The issue is still pending, as the trade organization representing community choice agencies has
asked for a re-hearing. (47) Meanwhile, the Commission intends to revise the formula in a second
phase of the process. Separating the legacy renewable energy contracts from other expenses
could help resolve some of the issue, says a recent report from the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory:

“The voluntary transfer of uneconomical renewable energy long-term contracts
could help CCAs comply with the RPS, resource adequacy requirements, and SB
350, while reducing the price level of the [Power Cost Indifference Adjustment]
PCIA.” (48)
Ultimately, a growing community choice movement has raised fundamental questions about the
required level of state regulation. State regulatory bodies were created to oversee utility
companies granted monopolies by state legislatures, companies that otherwise had limited
accountability. In many cases, that individual oversight expanded to statewide coordination. In
states with competitive retail markets, it meant identifying the “provider of last resort” for
customers that don’t expressly choose their own. California, for example, doesn’t define a
provider of last resort should either an investor-owned utility go bankrupt—as has happened with
Pacific Gas & Electric––or should a community choice agency suspend service.
So-called “resource adequacy” represents yet another challenging issue facing community
choice. Under current rules, community choice agencies must compensate incumbent utilities for
backup power plants used during periods of peak demand. Community choice programs contest
that the fee calculation ignores the value of their own resources that can provide capacity during
these periods of peak energy use. (49) The issue has also arisen recently in Massachusetts,
where the intent of Boston to create a community choice program caused the incumbent default
utility, Eversource, to raise the alarm about price volatility for its remaining customers due to
uncertainty about its future customer base. (50)
California regulators are also wrestling with a “fragmenting” market. Five years ago, nearly all
power plant purchases had Commission oversight via utility resource plans. Now, a substantial
portion of these decisions flow through community choice agencies that aren’t subject to the
same oversight. In a 2017 white paper, the Commission lamented its loss of control: (51)
“The CPUC’s top-down approach to regulation will be challenged by the need to
interact with many more procuring entities. Further complicating the issue is the
fact that there are outstanding questions regarding what role the CPUC has in the
CCA [integrated resource plan] process.”
So far, the California commission hasn’t taken any major steps to re-centralize system planning,
but it’s August 2018 report on choice tries to identify potential paths forward to manage the
state’s triple goals of reliability, affordability, and clean energy.

Alternatively, some advocates have introduced new legislation to codify the role of local
communities in planning for a clean energy future. The defining elements of the proposal
advanced by the Center for Climate Protection include:

The primacy of power generation at or near the place where it will be consumed, with a target
of one-third of electricity generation coming in this fashion.
The primacy of local planning, coordinated with regional and statewide system planning.

The proposed policy includes requirements that local governments (and their community choice
agencies) include climate goals in their general plans, that state government allocate resources
to support local planning, and that competing for-profit utilities no longer make money based on
capital spending on new power plants and power lines, but rather for meeting socially useful
performance measures.

Conclusion

Community choice can accommodate the growing public demand for energy democracy.
Already, nine states enable community choice. Already, several hundred communities enjoy its
benefits.
Part of its power is in its evolution. Initially driven by a desire to lower energy costs by providing
communities market power, communities have realized that ownership over their energy system
unlocks much more than purchasing power. Community choice agencies have accelerated
development of renewable energy, integrated its purchase with local jobs and economic
development, leveraged their power to pursue ambitious climate goals, and more fully cemented
the power of cities to manage wide swaths of the local economy in the pursuit of sustainable
economic development.
The power of the public can’t be understated. Community choice mimics the buying power of
private companies like Costco or consumer preferences like organic food. But by centering the
power of energy decision making in cities, community choice allows energy system planning to
integrate with community planning, economic development, housing, and (electric)
transportation. In short, it enables energy democracy.
The hunger for public power and economic democracy is growing, and community choice
allows communities to tap their strength in managing the energy system for the benefit of all.

100% Commitments in Cities, Counties, & States

Map data ©2020 Google, INEGITerms of Use

MapSatellite

White marker: Achieved 100% Renewable

Powered by 100% Renewable Energy: These communities have fully transitioned to 100% clean, renewable energy sources to power the community’s electricity needs. 

Green marker: Committed to 100%

Committed to 100% Renewable Energy: These communities have made community-wide commitments to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy no later than 2050. 

Orange marker: Working towards 100%

Working towards 100% Renewable Energy:  In these communities, Sierra Club and our allies are working to inspire city leadership to take ambitious steps forward by both committing their communities to 100% clean, renewable energy and pursuing near term steps to implement this vision.

Across the U.S. over 150 cities, more than ten counties and seven states, have already adopted ambitious 100% clean energy goals. Six cities in the U.S.–Aspen, Burlington, Georgetown, Greensburg, Rock port, and Kodiak Island–have already hit their targets. These six cities now generate 100% of the energy used community-wide from clean, non-polluting and renewable sources. A city commitment to 100% renewable energy is a mandate for action. 

Numerous U.S. cities have made public commitments to cut carbon and address climate change through initiatives like the Compact of Mayors, We Are Still In, or by establishing their own Climate Action Plans.

Building on this history of climate leadership, we are calling on cities to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy.  

Cities Committed to 100% Renewable Energy

  1. Abita Springs Abita Springs, LA is committed to transition 100% of the town’s electricity to renewable energy sources by December 31, 2030. Contact LeAnne Pinniger Magee — Say Thanks to Mayor Lemons & Town Council: Take Action — Tell your mayor and local leaders that you’re ready for 100% clean, renewable energy in LA now!: Take Action — Mayor Greg Lemons has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  2. Alta Alta, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  3. Ambler Borough Ambler Borough, PA is committed to is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Bill Sabey
  4. Amherst Amherst, MA is committed to enabling a community-wide transition to 100% clean, renewable energy and is calling on the State of Massachusetts to adopt a statewide goal of 100% renewable energy.
  5. Angel Fire Angel Fire, NM is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  6. Apex Apex, NC is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050. Contact Blake Flemming
  7. Arlington Arlington, VA is committed to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035, and for County government operations by 2025. Contact Alice Redhead
  8. Athens Athens, GA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Marquese Averett Mayor Kelly Girtz has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  9. Atlanta Atlanta, GA is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2035. Contact Marquese Averett — Atlanta is #ReadyFor100% Clean Energy!: Take Action
  10. Augusta Augusta, GA is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2050. Contact Ted Terry
  11. Berkeley The City of Berkeley, CA is committed to transitioning to 100% clean, carbon-free energy by 2030, including electricity, transportation and buildings, by 2030. Contact Richard Rollins Mayor Jesse Arreguin has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  12. Blacksburg In December 2017, Blacksburg, VA City Council adopted a goal of transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2050.
  13. Bluffdale Bluffdale, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  14. Boise Boise, ID is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and adopted “Boise’s Energy Future” plan as a roadmap toward its goal. Contact Zack Waterman — Boise Is #ReadyFor100 Percent Clean & Carbon-Free Electricity: Take Action
  15. Boulder In December of 2016, Boulder, CO, City Council made the commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030! Contact Leslie Glustrom — Say Thanks to Mayor Jones: Take Action — Tell your mayor and local leaders that you’re ready for 100% clean, renewable energy in CO now!: Take Action — Mayor Suzanne Jones has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  16. Breckenridge Breckenridge, CO is committed to powering municipal operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, and a goal of 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Beth Groundwater — Breckenridge Is Ready For 100 Percent Renewable Energy!: Take Action
  17. Cambridge In April 2017, Cambridge, MA committed to transition 100% clean and renewable energy community-wide, including building energy use and transportation, by 2035.
  18. Castle Valley Castle Valley, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  19. Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2050. Contact Zak Keith Mayor Pam Hemminger has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  20. Cheltenham Township Cheltenham Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Bill Sabey
  21. Chicago Chicago, IL is committed to transitioning to 100% clean, renewable electricity for all buildings by 2035 and to a 100% renewable, electric bus fleet by 2040. Contact Kyra Woods — Chicago Is Ready For 100% Clean Energy!: Take Action
  22. Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA, is committed to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Pete Hasapopoulos Mayor Mary Casillas Salas has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  23. Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Nathan Alley Mayor John Cranley has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  24. Clarkston Clarkston, GA is committed to a community-wide goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Contact Ted Terry Mayor Ted Terry has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  25. Cleveland Cleveland, OH is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2050. Contact Chad Stephens — Cleveland Is #ReadyFor100 Percent Clean Energy!: Take Action
  26. Coalville Coalville, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  27. Columbia Columbia, SC is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2036. Contact Penny Cothran — Link: Take Action — Mayor Steve Benjamin has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  28. Concord Concord, NH, commits to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and for all energy sectors, including heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Ally Samuell
  29. Conshohocken Borough Conshohocken Borough, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Bill Sabey Mayor Yaniv Aronson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  30. Cornish Cornish, NH is committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and 100% renewables for heat & transportation by 2050. Contact Ally Samuell — Cornish and Plainfield Are Ready For 100% Clean Energy!: Take Action
  31. Cottonwood Heights Cottonwood Heights, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy for city operations by 2022 and community-wide by 2032. Contact Lindsey Beebe
  32. Culver City In 2019, when the LA County Community Choice Energy Program, Culver City, CA, residents and businesses will all be powered by 100% renewable energy.
  33. Del Mar Del Mar, CA is committed to achieving 50% renewable electricity by 2020, and 100% by 2035. — Link: Take Action — Deputy Mayor D. Dwight Worden has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  34. Denton Denton, TX is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity community-wide as early as 2020.
  35. Denver Denver, CO is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Emily Gedeon — Denver Is Ready For 100 Renewable Energy!: Take Action
  36. Downingtown Downingtown Borough, PA commits to 100% clean renewable energy by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Sarah Caspar Mayor Josh Maxwell has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  37. Dunedin Dunedin, FL is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050. Contact Alan Brand Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  38. Durango Durango, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2050. Contact Lissa Ray — Durango Is Ready For Renewables Now!: Take Action
  39. Eagle Nest Eagle Nest, NM is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  40. East Bradford East Bradford, PA is committed 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline
  41. East Hampton East Hampton, NY is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2022 and 100% renewable heating, cooling and transportation by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  42. East Pikeland Township East Pikeland Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050 Contact Jim Wylie
  43. Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050 . Contact Jeremy Gragert
  44. Edmonds Edmonds, WA, is committed to 100% renewable energy for the City’s community electricity supply by 2025, and 100% renewable energy for municipal facilities by 2019. Contact Victoria Leistman
  45. Emigration Canyon Emigration Canyon, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  46. Encinitas Encinitas, CA adopted a comprehensive Climate Action Plan, with a goal to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030. Contact Pete Hasapopoulos Mayor Catherine Blakespear has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  47. Eureka The City of Eureka, CA is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2025.
  48. Evanston Evanston, IL is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030 and carbon neutrality across all sectors by 2050. Contact Caroline Wooten Mayor Stephen H. Hagerty has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  49. Fayetteville Fayetteville, AR is committed to powering all government operations with 100% clean, energy by 2030 and the entire community by 2050. Contact Glen Hooks Mayor Lioneld Jordan has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  50. Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Will Walters — Take Action!: Take Action
  51. Francis Francis, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  52. Fredericksburg Fredericksburg, VA is committed to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2050, and for municipal operations by 2035. Contact Alice Redhead
  53. Frisco Frisco, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Emily Gedeon — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Gary Wilkinson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  54. Gainesville Gainesville, FL is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity and net zero greenhouse gas emissions community-wide by 2045. Contact Roberta Gastmeyer
  55. Golden Golden, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Emily Gedeon
  56. Goleta Goleta, California, is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity for municipal facilities and community-wide supply by 2030. Contact Katie Davis — Take Action: Take Action
  57. Hanover The Town of Hanover, NH is committed to a community-wide goal of transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and a 2050 goal of transitioning heating and transportation to run on clean, renewable sources of energy. Contact Ally Samuell — Upper Valley Is #ReadyFor100 Percent Renewable Energy!: Take Action — Mayor Julia Griffon has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  58. Haverford Township Haverford Township, PA is committed 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Jennifer Pavao
  59. Helena Helena, MT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Caitlin Piserchia — : Take Action
  60. Hillsborough The Town of Hillsborough, NC commits to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy for all sectors by December 31, 2050 or sooner and 80% clean, renewable energy by 2030. And calls on The State of North Carolina to do the same! Contact Caroline Hansley
  61. Holladay Holladay, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Jay Vestal
  62. Ivins Ivins, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  63. Kamas Kamas, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  64. Kansas City Kansas City, MO is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide Contact Gretchen Waddell Barwick
  65. Kearns Kearns, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  66. Keene Keene, NH is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Patricia A. Martin — Upper Valley Is #ReadyFor100 Percent Renewable Energy!: Take Action — Mayor Kendall W. Lane has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  67. Kennett Township Kennett Township, PA is committed to transition to 100% clean and renewable energy community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline
  68. La Crosse La Crosse, WI is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2050. Contact Kathy Allen — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Tim Kabat has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  69. La Mesa La Mesa, CA is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 Contact Pete Hasapopoulos Mayor Mark Arapostathis has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  70. Lafayette Lafayette, CO is committed to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Contact Jenny Willford Mayor Christine Berg has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  71. Lakewood Lakewood, OH is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2035. Contact Chad Stephens
  72. Largo Largo, FL is committed to transition the community-wide energy supply to 100% clean and renewable energy for all, and to transition the municipal energy supply to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2035 with 50% by 2030. Contact Bryan Beckman — Learn More and Take Action: Take Action
  73. Longmont Longmont, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Karen Dike — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Brian Bagley has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  74. Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2045 and 100% carbon reduction across all sectors by 2050. Contact Graciela Geyer — Let’s Move Los Angeles to 100% Clean Energy: Take Action — Mayor Eric Garcetti has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  75. Louisville Louisville, KY is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2040. Contact Judith Humble
  76. Lowell Lowell, MA has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2035.
  77. Madison Madison, WI has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2050. Contact Elizabeth Katt Reinders
  78. Menlo Park Menlo Park, CA has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030, and is setting the example today by already powering all municipal operations with 100% renewable energy. Contact Diane Bailey Mayor Kirsten Keith has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  79. Middleton Middleton, WI is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2040 and 100% renewable energy sources for all energy sectors by 2050. Contact Elizabeth Ward
  80. Millcreek Millcreek, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  81. Milwaukie Milwaukie, OR is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2035 and carbon neutrality across all sectors by 2050. Contact Laura Stevens Mayor Mark Gamba has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  82. Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN has committed to 100% renewable electricity for municipal facilities and operations by 2022, and 100% renewable electricity for community-wide by 2030. Contact Alexis Boxer Mayor Jacob Frey has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  83. Missoula Missoula, MT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Caitlin Piserchia Mayor John Engen has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  84. Moab Moab, UT is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2032. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  85. Monona Monona, WI is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2040 and for all energy sectors, including heat and transportation, by 2050.
  86. Monterey Monterey, CA is committed to transition to renewable electricity community-wide by 2040. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Clyde Roberson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  87. Narberth Borough Narberth Borough, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Bill Sabey
  88. Nederland Nederland, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2025. Contact Eryka Thorley
  89. Nevada City Nevada City, CA commits to transition to 100% renewable energy for its community electricity supply by 2030, and 100% renewable energy in all sectors including transportation and heating systems by 2050!
  90. New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035.
  91. Norman The City of Norman, OK committed to 100% clean energy in the form of wind, solar, energy efficiency measures and other renewable sources within the electricity sector by 2035 and all energy-use sectors including heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Adrienne Gautier
  92. Norristown Borough Norristown Borough, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Bill Sabey
  93. Northampton Northampton, MA is committed to enabling a community-wide transition to 100% clean, renewable energy and is calling on the State of Massachusetts to adopt a statewide goal of 100% renewable energy.
  94. Oakley Oakley, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  95. Ogden Ogden, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  96. Ojai Ojai, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019. Mayor John F. Johnston has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  97. Orem Orem, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  98. Orlando The city of Orlando, FL is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030 and community-wide 100% clean electricity by 2050! Contact Phil Compton — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Buddy Dyer has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  99. Oxnard Oxnard, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019.
  100. Palo Alto Since 2013, Palo Alto, CA’s electricity is 100% carbon neutral. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Greg Scharff has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  101. Park City Park City, UT is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2032. Contact Lindsay Beebe — Link: Take Action — Mayor Jack Thomas has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  102. Petoskey Petoskey, MI is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2040. Contact Andrew Sarpolis
  103. Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Pratima Agrawal — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Jim Kenney has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  104. Phoenixville Phoenixville, PA commits to transition to 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline Mayor Michael J. Speck has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  105. Plainfield Plainfield, New Hampshire is committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and 100% renewable energy for heat & transportation by 2050. Contact Evan and Lee Oxenham — Cornish and Plainfield Are Ready For 100% Clean Energy!: Take Action
  106. Plymouth Township Plymouth Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Bill Sabey Township Manager Karen Weiss has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  107. Portland Portland, Oregon is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035, and to meet all energy needs, including transportation, heating and cooling, and electricity, with 100% renewable energy by 2050. Contact Laura Stevens
  108. Portola Valley Portola Valley, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019. Contact James Eggers Mayor Craig Hughes has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  109. Pueblo Pueblo, CO is committed to transitioning to a healthy, affordable 100% renewable energy system with greater community control and equitable access by 2035. Contact Jory Miller — Colorado Is #ReadyFor100 Percent Clean Energy!: Take Action
  110. Questa Questa is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  111. Radnor Township Radnor Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Sara Piling
  112. Reading Reading, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Stephanie Andersen
  113. Red River Red River is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  114. Rolling Hills Estates Rolling Hills Estates, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019.
  115. Safety Harbor Safety Harbor, FL is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2050. Contact Bryan Beckman — Safety Harbor is #ReadyFor100 Percent Clean Energy: Take Action — Mayor Joe Ayoub has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  116. Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, Utah is committed to achieving 100% renewable energy for community electricity supply by 2032 and 50% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2020. Contact Lindsay Beebe — Link: Take Action — Mayor Jackie Biskupski has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  117. San Buenaventura (Ventura) Ventura, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019.
  118. San Diego San Diego is committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2035. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Kevin Faulconer has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  119. San Francisco San Francisco is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Melissa Yu — Link: Take Action — Mayor London Breed has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  120. San Jose San Jose, California is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2050. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Sam Liccardo has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  121. San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo is committed to 100% carbon-free, clean electricity by 2035. Mayor Heidi Harmon has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  122. Santa Barbara The Santa Barbara City Council approved a measure that establishes a community-wide goal of transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. The resolution also commits the city to transition all municipal buildings and operations to 50 percent clean electricity by 2020. Contact Katie Davis — Santa Barbara: Set a 100% Clean Energy Goal: Take Action — Mayor Helene Schneider has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  123. Santa Monica Santa Monica, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2019. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Ted Winterer has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  124. Sarasota Sarasota FL is committed to achieving 100% zero-emission, renewable electricity by 2045. Contact Phil Compton Mayor Shelli Freeland Eddie has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  125. Satellite Beach Satellite Beach, FL is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2050. Contact Brooke Alexander
  126. Schuylkill Township Schuykill Township, PA is committed to is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline
  127. Silverthorne Silverthorne, CO is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Jenny Willford
  128. Solana Beach Solana Beach has committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035. Contact Pete Hasapopoulos — Link: Take Action
  129. South Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe is committed to transitioning entirely to renewable sources of electricity by 2032. Contact John Friedrich
  130. South Miami South Miami, Florida is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2040 Contact Emily Gorman — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Philip K. Stoddard has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  131. South Pasadena South Pasadena, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019.
  132. Southampton Town of Southampton has committed to meet 100% of the community-wide electricity consumption needs through renewable energy sources by the year 2025. — Link: Take Action
  133. Spokane Spokane, WA is committed to transitioning 100% clean, renewable energy for the City’s community electricity supply by 2030. — Take Action: Take Action
  134. Springdale Springdale, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  135. Springfield Township Springfield Township in Montgomery County, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2035. Contact Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick
  136. St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri, commits to transition to 100% clean energy in the form of wind and solar and energy efficiency measures within the electricity sector by 2035. Contact Trisha Boyle — Take Action: Take Action — Mayor Lyda Krewson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  137. St. Louis Park St. Louis Park, MN is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
  138. St. Paul St Paul, MN is committed to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. — Learn More: Take Action
  139. St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity. Contact Lisa Hinton Mayor Rick Kriseman has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  140. State College State College, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2050. Contact Chloe Selles
  141. Tallahassee Tallahassee, FL is committed to 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2050 and for all city operations by 2035. Contact Phil Compton
  142. Taos The City of Taos, NM is committed to transitioning its electricity to 100% renewable energy by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  143. Taos Ski Valley Taos Ski Valley is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  144. Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019.
  145. Traverse City Traverse City, MI is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2040. Contact Sophie Stoepker Mayor Jim Carruthers has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  146. Treddyffrin Township Tredyffrin Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline
  147. Truckee The Town of Truckee, California is committed to achieve 100% renewable electricity for municipal facilities by 2020, 100% renewable electricity town wide by 2030, as well as all energy sources by 2050. Contact Brian Beffort Mayor Morgan Goodwin has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  148. Upper Merion Township Upper Merion Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2040. Contact Bill Sabey
  149. Uwchlan Township Uwchlan Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Paula Kline
  150. West Chester West Chester Borough, Pennsylvania, is committed to transition community-wide to 100% clean renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050. Contact Jim Wylie Mayor Jordan Norley has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  151. West Hollywood West Hollywood, CA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019. Mayor John Heilman has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  152. West Jordan West Jordan, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  153. West Valley City West Valley City, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  154. West Vincent West Vincent, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Jim Wylie
  155. Whitemarsh Township Whitemarsh Township, PA is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050. Contact Lou Ann Merkle
  156. Windsor The town of Windsor, Massachusetts has committed to 100% renewable electricity community-wide.

Cities Powered by 100% Renewable Energy

  1. Aspen As of 2015, Aspen, CO is powered by 100% renewable electricity – a mix of approximately 50% wind, 45% hydropower, and the remaining 5% from solar and landfill gas. Contact Jenny Willford — Link: Take Action — Mayor Steve Skadron has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  2. Burlington As of 2014, Burlington, VT is powered by 100% renewable electricity. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Miro Weinberger has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  3. Georgetown As of 2018, Georgetown, TX is powered by 100% renewable electricity. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Dale Ross has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  4. Greensburg As of 2013, Greensburg, KS is powered with 100% renewable electricity. — Link: Take Action — Mayor Bob Dixson has pledged their support for a community-wide transition 100% renewable energy.
  5. Kodiak Island Since 2012, Kodiak Island, AK is powered by 100% renewable electricity.
  6. Rock Port Rock Port, MO is powered by 100% wind energy. — Link: Take Action

Counties Committed to 100% Renewable Energy

  1. Buncombe County Buncombe County, North Carolina, commits to the goal of 100% clean, renewable energy for municipal operations by 2030, and for the larger community and county by 2042.
  2. Floyd County Floyd County, VA adopted a commitment to 100% clean, renewable energy on October 24, 2017.
  3. Grand County Grand County, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  4. Multnomah County Multnomah County, OR is committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035, and to meet all energy needs, including transportation, heating and cooling, and electricity, with 100% renewable energy by 2050. Contact Laura Stevens
  5. Orange County Orange County, NC, Board of Commissioners passed a resolution committing the County, the State, and the United States to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy sectors-based economy, by January 1, 2050 or sooner. Contact Caroline Hansley
  6. Pueblo County Pueblo County, CO is committed to 100% renewable electricity county-wide by 2035. Contact David Cockrell
  7. Salt Lake County Salt Lake County, UT is committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  8. Summit County Summit County, CO adopts a resolution for 100% clean, renewable energy community-wide by 2035. Contact Kent Abernathy
  9. Summit County Summit County, Utah, is committed to transition to net-100% renewable electricity across the county by 2030. Contact Lindsay Beebe
  10. Taos County Taos County is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. — Link: Take Action
  11. Ventura County Ventura County, CA has committed to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2019 through community choice aggregation for all unincorporated areas of the county.
  12. Wake County Wake County, NC has committed to 100% clean, renewable energy across all energy sectors by 2050.
  13. Whatcom County Whatcom County, WA adopted an ordinance that commits the County to transition County Operations and the larger Whatcom County community to 100% renewable electricity.

States, Districts, and Territories Committed to 100% Renewable Energy

  1. California California is the second state in the U.S. to set a state-wide goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2045 Contact Evan Gillespie
  2. Hawaii Hawaii is the first state in the U.S. to set a state-wide goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2045 Contact Jodi Malinoski
  3. Maine In June 2019, Maine adopted a new Renewable Portfolio Standard (LD 1494), committing the state to 80 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. Contact Alice Elliot
  4. Nevada Nevada SB358 was passed unanimously by both the Senate and Assembly in 2019, setting the goal of 50% renewable electricity statewide by 2030, & 100% clean energy by 2050. Contact Brian Beffort
  5. New Mexico In March 2019, New Mexico adopted the Energy Transition Act (SB 489), which requires electricity generation in the state to be 80% renewable by 2040, and 100% carbon-free by 2045. Contact Camilla Feibelman
  6. New York On July 18, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which mandates New York reduce 85% greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050; sources 70% of electricity from renewables, like wind and solar, by 2030; achieves a 100% carbon-free electric sector by 2040; requires 35% of climate adaptation benefit frontline communities through efficiency, renewable energy, jobs programs and more; protects disadvantaged communities by requiring an air quality monitoring program and prohibits carbon offsets for the electric, transportation and building sectors. Contact Lisa Dix — Say Thank You to NY State Legislators and Governor Cuomo for Passing a Historic Climate Bill: Take Action
  7. Puerto Rico The Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act, adopted in 2019, established a territory-wide goal of 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2050. | La Ley de Política Pública de Diversificación Energética de Puerto Rico, adoptada en 2019, establece la meta de obtener el 100% de la electricidad de fuentes limpias y renovables. Contact Pedro Cruz
  8. Washington In 2019, the Washington State legislature passed Senate Bill 5116, which mandates an equitable transition to 100 percent clean electricity generation for the entire state by 2045. Contact Jesse Piedfort — : Take Action
  9. Washington D.C. As part of the the Clean Energy D.C. Omnibus Act of 2018 — Washington, DC is committed to achieve 100% clean, renewable electricity supply across the district, including the White House, by 2032. Contact Rebekah Whilden

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What does it mean to be committed to, powered by, or working towards 100% clean, renewable energy? 

Committed to 100% Renewable Energy: The Ready for 100 Campaign recognizes community commitments as places where a city’s leadership has established a goal to transition to the entire community to 100% clean, renewable energy.  This can be through a stand-alone Resolution or Proclamation, or integrated into a community’s Climate Action Plan or Energy Action Plan.  

100% Commitment Guidelines

When crafting a commitment to 100% renewable energy, Ready For 100 recommends that the adopted goal includes the following elements: 

  • Community-wide Electricity Use: A full transition of the electricity sector to clean, renewable energy;
  • By 2035: A target year for when this commitment will be achieved no later than 2035 for electricity and 2050 for all energy sectors;
  • Ensure Justice, Equity, Affordability, and Access: A commitment should include measures that prioritize equity affordability, and access for all members of the community, prioritizing low income communities, environmental justice communities and communities burdened by the fossil fuel industry.
  • Clean and Renewable Resources Only: This includes carbon and pollution free energy sustainably collected from renewable sources including wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal. Low-impact, small hydro and some forms of biomass may be included after being evaluated for sustainability and environmental justice implications. Nuclear, natural gas, coal, oil based, or any other forms of carbon-based energy production are not included as clean or renewable sources of energy.  Sierra Club’s complete energy policy can be found here.
  • A Transparent and Inclusive Planning and Implementation Process ensuring that the  community members and local businesses have an opportunity to participate.

Strong commitments also include:

  • All Energy Sectors: A commitment to transition other energy sectors to 100% including transportation and heating and cooling;
  • A Local Generation Goal: A goal for how much of the community’s energy needs will be met by local, distributed generation;
  • Near term implementation steps: At least the first year and ideally a five year plan;
  • Commitment to Collaboration: A commitment to work with surrounding communities in achieving aligned clean energy and equity goals;
  • Commitment to Advocate: A commitment to advocate for policies or regulations at the state, regional and/or federal level that aid the city in their transition 

Powered by 100% Renewable Energy: A community is powered with 100% renewable energy when the amount of energy generated from renewable energy sources in the community (or brought into it) equals or exceeds 100% of the annual energy consumed within the community.

Working towards 100% Renewable Energy: A number of communities have pledged support for 100% clean energy, and some are demonstrating support for a transition to 100% clean energy by investing in renewable energy for municipal operations. To see a list of cities that have invested in renewable energy for their municipal operations check out EPA’s Green Power Communities.  To see a list of businesses, communities, and countries that are working towards 100% visit Go 100% Renewable Energy.

To read the rest, download a pdf of the Report.

This article originally posted at ilsr.org. For timely updates, follow John Farrell on Twitter, our energy work on Facebook, or sign up to get the Energy Democracy weekly update.