cities currently use renewable or zero-emissions energy to power 100% of their municipal buildings. In Seattle, 100% of power generated by utility Seattle City Light comes from renewable resources, 86% of which is hydropower.Īccording to data from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, nine of the 100 largest U.S. Last week, Consumers Energy entered a 20-year agreement with the state of Michigan to power nearly 1,300 government buildings solely with renewable energy.
Las Vegas marked the achievement in 2016. are making strides toward their transition to renewables. In 2014, Burlington, Vermont, became the first U.S. “When the city of Chicago makes a purchase like this and a commitment to clean energy, it helps build the market and it does encourage smaller cities and municipalities to make similar commitments,” Kelter said.Ĭities of all sizes across the U.S. Neighboring communities taking similar action increases the economy of scale. Other Illinois cities already have decided to use power from the new solar installation once it is finished, and more could follow. “In order to meet our climate goals, we’ve first got to eliminate coal and natural gas, which cause global warming in a way that nuclear doesn't.” “I don't think right now Illinois is in a position to move away from nuclear,” Kelter said. Even with the new advancement toward renewables, the city and state are unlikely to completely leave nuclear any time soon.
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Nuclear power was included in Illinois’ definition of “clean energy” – at least 90% free of carbon dioxide emissions – in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed last year, which aims to transition the state to 50% clean energy by 2040 and 100% clean energy by 2050. Exelon owns and operates all six of the nuclear power plants, which in 2020 accounted for 58% of in-state electricity generation. Illinois has more nuclear power generation capacity than any other state.
Much of the energy Chicago consumes is from carbon-free nuclear generation.
As of Q1, Illinois housed 1,465 MW of solar, and the Solar Energy Industries Association projects that will grow 1,700% over the next five years. Illinois's Renewable Portfolio Standard establishes that 25% of the state’s energy should come from renewable sources by 2025. The solar installation will be among the largest in Illinois so far. As part of the deal, Constellation and Swift Current Energy also committed to fund job training and education that develop a diverse clean energy workforce. they're building a large new project, rather than the city just buying RECs from older sources,” Kelter said. “They’re actually putting additional clean energy onto the system.”Ĭonstruction on the new solar project is expected to begin this year and last 12-18 months. The new commitment is a “great step” that “puts Chicago on the leading edge,” said Robert Kelter, senior attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center. Three years ago, the city pledged to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035. The plan aims for a 62% carbon emissions reduction by 2040, including through increasing access to and use of renewable energy. This move will help Chicago reduce its carbon footprint, in alignment with its most recent climate action plan.
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