Brooke Alexander, Sierra Club Florida Organizing Manager, Clean Energy, brooke.alexander@sierraclub.org, 386-689-4354
Pinellas County, FL -- This afternoon, the Pinellas Board of County Commission unanimously passed a resolution committing the county to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy for the entire community by 2050 and for county operations by 2040. Pinellas became the first county in Florida to make this commitment. In Florida there are 11 cities that have made a similar commitment for city operations, 4 of which (Largo, St. Pete, Safety Harbor, and Dunedin) are within Pinellas County along with the neighboring city of Tampa.
By passing Resolution 21, Pinellas County has committed to transitioning 100 percent of all electricity consumed in county operations to Clean Energy by 2040, and with at least 50 percent of such electricity being Clean Energy by 2030. The county has also committed to 100 percent of all electricity consumption countywide be provided by Clean Energy by the year 2050.
The County will begin developing a plan immediately to achieve these 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.
“We need to quickly move forward. What we’re doing here today isn’t for us, it’s for our kids, and our grandchildren,” said Pinellas County Council Member, Janet Long.
Commission Member, Dave Eggers stressed the importance of the passage of this resolution to “show empathy for those hardest hit by the transition to clean energy (coal miners) and ensure they are given consideration and help in the transition.”
“We are so excited that Pinellas County has joined St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, and Safety Harbor to set clean energy goals. It shows tremendous leadership that will help reduce pollution and harmful emissions, save money, and create jobs here in Pinellas. Thank you Commissioners for taking this extremely important step.” said Suncoast Sierra Club Group Chair, Bryan Beckman
Florida Sierra Club Leader Dave Sillman, said after the vote, “Striving for a transition to 100% renewable energy is not only a scientific & moral imperative; this undertaking is also a transition to lower-cost energy for all, massive public health improvements and cost savings, opportunities to address environmental racism and enhance national security, and one of the greatest drivers of economic growth and job & business creation in our lifetimes. Renewables have already won the economic case, and they just keep getting better & cheaper each year! Getting off of fossil fuels isn't just something we have to do, it's something we WANT to do!”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.