The Atlanta City Council on Monday voted unanimously in favor of a resolution pledging to power Atlanta 100% via clean and renewable energy sources by 2035.
Resolution 17-R-3510, introduced by City Councilman Kwanza Hall, (also a candidate for Mayor) pledges to develop a sustainability plan through the aptly named Office of Sustainability which will lay out a plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035. It will seek public input as well as work closely alongside Georgia Power, with whom the city has a franchise agreement for electricity which lasts until 2064.
Renewable energy is defined as that “derived from wind, solar, existing and low- impact hydroelectric, geothermal, biogas, and wave technology sources.” The resolution notes that Georgia Power has made major strides in wind and solar energy since 2010, and that the city hopes to continue the transition to 100% clean energy over the next two decades.
Atlanta becomes the 27th major city in the United States to commit to 100% renewable energy, the first in Georgia and now the largest in the South. It joins cities including San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Chicago in making the pledge, which has been lauded by environmental groups such as the Sierra Club. Said Ted Terry, director of the group’s Georgia Chapter, “Cities like Atlanta must lead the way in confronting the threat of climate change and accelerating the transition to 100 percent clean energy. Today’s commitment will inspire bold, ambitious leadership from cities throughout the United States and pave the way for a healthier and stronger Atlanta.”
Because of Atlanta’s geography, solar power looks to be the biggest beneficiary of the resolution. Already a major priority for Georgia Power, the industry comprises the largest single share of energy generation jobs in the state. Just last summer the Public Service Commission approved a plan from Georgia Power which represents the largest increase in renewable energy in state history.
The timing of the resolution was conspicuous for Hall, who came under fire last month when at a Mayoral candidate forum he appeared skeptical over the facts behind climate change, telling the audience, “Stuff is in the media too much. … It’s hard for me to be convinced sometimes.” Those words raised the ire of many Democrats, for whom working to identify and correct climate change has become a core platform issue in recent years. This vote should score some brownie points for Hall, who appears to be gaining ground in what remains a relatively wide open race to replace outgoing Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed in November.
