DECATUR — DeKalb County has adopted a resolution to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, making it the sixth local government in Georgia to make such a pledge.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution at its December 21 meeting. The commitment calls for the county government to transition to using 50% renewable energy by 2025 and 100% by 2035. Additionally, the resolution calls for 100% clean energy community-wide by 2045.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners also included details on an equitable transition, ensuring benefits to low-income citizens and prioritizing a just transition for those currently employed by the energy sector, currently reliant on fossil fuels.
“This is a great day for the residents of DeKalb County as they join a growing list of other cities and counties in the state of Georgia committed to protecting our planet. It will take continuous bravery and vision to counteract our negative impact on the environment. We are greatly encouraged when governments take bold steps to be leaders in that effort,” said Phyllis Richardson, Chair of the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter’s Executive Committee.
DeKalb County joins Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County, Augusta-Richmond County, Clarkston, and Savannah in pledging to transition to 100 percent clean energy.
“This is great news! At All In for Decatur 100, we are already working to support Decatur’s energy plan. Our goal is for our city to go to 100% clean renewable energy by 2030. DeKalb’s announcement beats us to the punch, but offers some great opportunities to collaborate on policy and project,” said Hobie Stocking, volunteer leader in the Sierra Club’s Decatur 100% Clean Energy Team.
“We hope that all cities in DeKalb work to achieve the goals set out by the commissioners. It is clear that climate change is truly a crisis and will be the biggest threat to our children's health. It already worsens asthma, heart disease, food insecurity, and mental health, and will continue to do so more and more each year. All communities need to urgently frame each decision they make within the framework of decreasing the burning of fossil fuels,” said Dr. Preeti Jaggi, leader of Decatur Cares About Climate Challenge and pediatric doctor.
“Today we passed a historic commitment to tackle climate change and transition DeKalb County to a 100% clean energy and transportation future,” Ted Terry, DeKalb Commissioner, sponsor of the resolution, and former Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director, said in a statement on the day of it’s passage. “In light of the obstruction in Congress on the Build Back Better agenda, this resolution highlights DeKalb County’s commitment to move forward with the core climate action elements of the Build Back Better legislation. If we cannot see action at the federal or state level, then it is crucial that local governments step up and take our own action. We cannot wait. Now and future generations need an action plan to save our planet, today we took a big step in that direction.”
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About the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter
The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter is the largest grassroots environmental organization in the state, with more than 75,000 members and supporters. The Chapter supports a robust outings program and has active committees working on forest and coastal protection, transit expansion, and clean energy. For more information, visit sierraclub.org/georgia.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit sierraclub.org.
**Media Contact**
Ricky Leroux, Communications Coordinator, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter
404-607-1262 ext. 234 | ricky.leroux@sierraclub.org