Brooke Alexander, Sierra Club, brooke.alexander@sierraclub.org, 386-689-4354
SATELLITE BEACH, FL -- Tonight, the City Council of Satellite Beach unanimously passed a resolution committing the city to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy for the entire community by 2050 and for municipal operations by 2032. Satellite Beach becomes the first city in Brevard County and the tenth city in the state to commit to powering their entire community with 100 percent clean, renewable sources of energy, like solar and storage.
The City will begin developing a plan immediately to achieve both goals. The resolution emphasizes inclusion and transparency in the planning process which will establish interim milestones, budget estimates, equity metrics and financing mechanisms with community residents and stakeholders over the next two years.
Satellite Beach joins a growing group of Florida cities that includes Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Gainesville among others, and becomes the 133rd city in the U.S. to commit to this goal.
Satellite Beach has a history of environmental leadership, from being one of the first 15 cities in the nation to achieve SolSmart “Gold” designation to establishing the Logos Community Garden at Desoto Park for residents to rent their own growing plots. Recently, the City made PACE funding available to residents from all four providers in the area and established a goal to convert their City Hall and Public Works buildings to 100% solar power by 2022.
“I’m excited to see Council taking this step affirming the City of Satellite Beach’s commitment to clean, renewable energy.Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign aligns with the city’s sustainability plan and the projects the sustainability board has been working on continuing in the direction of a sustainable future," said Satellite Beach Sustainability Board Member, Dylan Hansen.
“It is a constant source of inspiration to be part of a City that is consistently supporting sustainability as it develops in our community and beyond," said Satellite Beach Environmental Programs Coordinator, Nicholas Sanzone.
“I just want to say, Satellite Beach has always been a very forward thinking community, and it started years ago with people before our time. It’s a pleasure to be here with these members; It’s just really gratifying to see where we are today, and to see the things we are doing,” said City Council Member Derek Montaro.
“Because Satellite Beach already has a Sustainability Action Plan in place, the city has been well on its way to moving toward a cleaner and healthier community. The passing of this resolution shows that the Satellite Beach wants to continue to make their community a leader in the fight for a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy. By committing to 100 percent renewable energy goals, Satellite Beach is paving the way for other communities to follow suit, and we look forward to working with the city to make this transition,” said Leslie Maloney, Vice Chair of Turtle Coast Sierra Club Group.
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 www.sierraclub.org.