Norman Becomes First Oklahoma City to Commit to 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Energy

NORMAN, OK - On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, the City of Norman, Oklahoma committed to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. The Norman City Council unanimously adopted the resolution, which states that Norman will transition to use 100 percent clean energy like wind and solar for electricity by 2035 and across all sectors including heat and transportation by 2050.

Norman is the first city in Oklahoma to make this commitment.

“Momentum is building for 100 percent clean energy across the U.S., and today Norman showed it is a leader in Oklahoma by being the first city in the state to commit to this goal. Norman's commitment to renewable energy is also a commitment to clean air, economic development, and a healthy future for our community. After a year of engagement from the community and City of Norman, this vote is a victory for everyone,” said Karen Blasier, volunteer with the Norman Ready for 100 campaign.

“My family and I are pleased that Norman is the first city in Oklahoma to commit to moving towards 100 percent renewable energy. The environmental impacts, job opportunities, and economic benefits of going renewable are clear, and I am hopeful other communities will follow Norman’s example and make the same commitment,” said Councilwoman Breea Clark.

“We need a vision for our future, which my fellow council members and I are proud to declare includes renewable energy. By setting this goal, we are guiding our community on a path that will protect our environment and stimulate economic development,” said Councilman Bill Hickman.

Across the United States, 69 cities have committed to 100 percent clean energy. While EPA administrator Scott Pruitt is pushing a dangerous dirty energy agenda at the EPA, Norman’s commitment shows how communities in Pruitt’s home state of Oklahoma -- which is second in the nation in wind energy generation -- are leading the charge to transition to 100 percent clean energy.

"The State of Oklahoma has been run and controlled by oil and gas interests for decades. However, the reality on the ground is that renewable energy is not only now a reality in Oklahoma, it is becoming an economic giant and improving Oklahoma's environment for generations to come. Oklahoma is now second in the nation in wind energy production, and our state is positioned to become a national leader in solar energy too if cities like Norman, Oklahoma make the right choice for our future and back commitments like Ready for 100. We remain confident and hopeful that a new generation of Oklahomans will vote for a next generation for our children,” said Johnson Bridgewater, Director of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Faith communities, business leaders, educators, and other community members have supported the 100 percent clean energy goal across Norman.

“As a clergy person and a Pastor, projects like Ready for 100 are exciting to me because they offer us a concrete and tangible way to take seriously our call from scripture (for instance Leviticus 26:3-4, Numbers 35:33-34) as people of faith to be good stewards of God’s creation. First Presbyterian Church, as an officially certified PC(USA) Earth Care Congregation, is concerned that we do what we can in our church, our homes, and our community to be stewards and care-givers for all of creation. Ready for 100 does this in its aims to move toward renewable energy for all of the Norman community,” said community member Rev. Jessica Dixon.

“100 percent clean energy is a win for the schools, be they private or public. The ability to install solar panels and/or wind turbines that will offset the cost of electricity and potentially generate profit for the school is something we desperately need in Norman, Oklahoma. It makes complete economic sense to make this opportunity available to communities,” said education professional Sarah Chan.

The clean energy resolution also establishes that the City will develop a plan to meet the clean energy goal and include extensive stakeholder input from diverse groups, including communities most impacted by the current energy system.

Norman joins cities like Minneapolis, San Diego, St. Louis, and Atlanta in committing to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. Six U.S. cities, including Georgetown, Texas and Greensburg, Kansas, are already powered entirely by clean energy, like solar and wind.