St. Pete is First Southern City to Commit to 100 Percent Clean Energy
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg City Council formally approved the city's commitment to 100 percent clean, renewable energy on November 21. St. Petersburg is the first city in Florida and the entire Southeast U.S., and 20th city in the U.S., to make such a commitment.
In a unanimous vote, the City Council allocated $250,000 of BP Oil Spill settlement funds to an "Integrated Sustainability Action Plan" (ISAP), which will chart a roadmap to 100% clean, renewable energy in St Petersburg. In addition, the plan also incorporates components of a climate action plan, a resiliency plan and strategies for St. Petersburg to achieve a 5 STAR Community rating. The 100% clean energy roadmap builds on Mayor Rick Kriseman's Executive Order establishing a net-zero energy goal for the City earlier in 2016.
Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:
"The movement for clean energy in cities and towns across the country is now more important than ever. St. Petersburg joins 19 other cities from San Diego, California to Greensburg, Kansas that will lead the way to support equitable and inclusive communities built on 100% clean, renewable energy for all. Whether you're from a red state or blue state, clean energy works for everyone and local leaders will continue to move forward to create more jobs, stronger communities, and cleaner air and water."
See the rest of Sierra Club's national press release.