Hillary Larson (303) 454-3361 or hillary.larson@sierraclub.org
DENVER – A new study released today by the City of Denver Department of Environmental Health shows that transitioning Denver to 100 percent clean and renewable energy is vital for the city to achieve its carbon pollution reduction goals. The long awaited study, which was the result of a stakeholder process first announced last year by the Department of Environmental Health, affirms that moving to 100 percent clean energy by 2030 or earlier is an achievable strategy that Denver can pursue to meet the city’s 80% by 2050 carbon reduction goal.
In order to assure the strategies outlined in this report are reflective of the entire community of Denver, the city has opened a 60-day public comment period and is encouraging all who live or work in Denver to voice their thoughts on the plan.
The new Climate Action Plan report comes just weeks after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issued a vision for powering all of Denver with clean, renewable energy during his State of the City address.
If Denver were to formally establish a goal of shifting to 100 percent clean and renewable energy, the city would join other Colorado communities including Pueblo, Boulder, and Aspen that have already made the commitment.
In response, community leaders issued the following statements:
“For far too long Denver has suffered some of the worst air quality in the nation, putting our neighborhoods and families at risk. Today’s report demonstrates that Denver is positioned to take the bold action necessary to improve our air quality, protect the health of residents, and limit climate change. We thank Mayor Hancock for leading Denver towards a sustainable future. Thousands of Sierra Club members, supporters, and allies across Denver look forward to working with residents and leaders to ensure that we have an equitable future powered by 100% clean, renewable energy” -- Jim Alexee, Colorado Sierra Club Director
“The actions Denver has taken to plan for a clean energy transition are critical not only for our climate but also necessary to protect our health. The American Lung Association reported that our city has the 11th worst ozone levels in the nation, and north Denver contains the most polluted zip code in the United States. We know that communities of color are disproportionately affected by the health problems caused by pollution, particularly the production, transportation, and burning of dirty fossil fuels including coal, oil, and natural gas. If we can transition Denver to 100 % clean and renewable electricity, we’ll be ensuring our families and communities a healthy future for generations to come” – Jason D. McCarl, Medical Doctor
"Reducing Denver’s greenhouse gas emissions is not only the right thing to do for our environment and our public health, but this commitment also creates an opportunity to create good-paying jobs focused on energy efficiency and developing clean energy alternatives throughout the community. It is exciting to see Denver’s leaders pick up the slack at the federal level and focus on an equitable path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions that create new economic opportunities for working families." -- Josh Downey, President of the Denver Area Labor Federation
"As a member of the Task Force assembled to develop this report, and a nearly lifetime Denver resident, I am proud of my city for taking climate change seriously. The array of knowledgeable stakeholders represented in these findings are both impressive, impactful, and a true representation of our what our community can accomplish. I am pleased with the aggressive actions considered in this report, and am hopeful that Denver can move forward quickly toward a future powered by 100% renewable electricity." -- Marc Alston, community representative on the Denver Task Force, formerly worked for the EPA and Denver Mayor's office.
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