Pittsburgh to aim for 100% renewable energy by 2035

The city of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania plans to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy, including wind and solar, by 2035, Mayor Bill Peduto said on Friday 2 June. 

Mayor Peduto announced that he was joining the coalition “Mayors for 100% Clean Energy” which aims to uphold commitments made under the Paris Agreement.  

The coalition – which is an initiative of the Sierra Club's Ready for 100 campaign – represents an increasing number of U.S. mayors who support a vision of 100 per cent clean and renewable energy in their cities, towns and communities.

Mayor Peduto said: “Pittsburgh will not only heed the guidelines of the Paris Agreement, we will work to move towards 100 per cent clean and renewable energy for our future, our economy, and our people.”

The announcement has been welcomed by environmental groups, including the Sierra Club.

Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, said: “local leaders like Mayor Peduto are fighting to make sure clean energy continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Today’s announcement shows how grassroots activists, frontline communities, local governments, and concerned people across the United States can and will continue to drive the transition away from fossil fuels to 100 per cent clean and renewable energy.”

Eva Resnick-Day, Community Organiser at the Sierra Club, said: “Pittsburgh is the first post-industrial city in the United States to aim to power itself with 100 per cent clean energy. Our city has always been on the forefront of innovation and today’s announcement by Mayor Peduto shows that we will continue to be.”

To date, more than 25 U.S. cities have committed to transition entirely to clean and renewable energy.

Last month, Climate Action reported that Atlanta, Georgia, became the 27th U.S. city to commit to 100 per cent renewables.

Atlanta lawmakers passed a resolution on Monday 1 May to pursue 100 per cent renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, to power the city by 2035.

Mayor Peduto said: “Cities can help lead the transition away from dirty fuels to renewable energy, but it will require boldness and ambition to get it done.  I’m proud to stand with my fellow Mayors for 100% Clean Energy to call for a transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy in my community.” 

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