Pinellas County is Ready for 100% Clean Energy!

The time has come to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy with the urgency that the science demands. From mega-storms to drought & wildfires, communities across the country are already experiencing the severe impacts of climate change, and no place is more ‘at risk’ than Pinellas county. The good news is that numerous studies show that it is technologically & economically feasible to achieve 100% clean energy across the country by 2050, if not sooner. Clean energy is safer and is already cheaper than fossil fuels; and clean energy industries are growing rapidly and creating good jobs faster than the rest of the economy.

3 years ago, St. Pete became the 1st city in the S.E. to commit to a 100% clean energy future, and since then 154 other cities across the country have followed! These include Pinellas cities like Largo, Dunedin and Safety Harbor; other FL cities like Sarasota, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee and Satellite Beach. Big cities like Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego and Cleveland, and small towns with one red light. 7 states have made the commitment including: CA, HI, NM, NE, WA, NY, ME, as well as PR & DC. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans now lives in one of these cities, counties or states!

Local municipal leadership is needed to shepherd us towards a clean energy future and it’s time for Pinellas County to do our part to fight climate change. This will save taxpayers money on municipal operations, grow our economy, create good jobs, clean up our air & water and protect our most valuable economic asset: our beautiful coasts & waterways. Most of the steps along the path, like investing in energy efficiency and solar, will generate rapid & lasting Returns on Investment that will free up funds for other critical needs.

We no longer need to rely on fossil fuels; we have cleaner & more affordable solutions right now. We are ready to build a future where everyone lives and works in an energy efficient home, school and workplace, with access to clean, affordable renewable energy for all.

Sign the petition asking the County Commission to pass a resolution to commit both the county and the entire community to a 100% clean energy future.

Pinellas is #ReadyFor100

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Ask the Pinellas County Commission to join St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin and Safety Harbor in Committing to a 100% Clean Energy Future for All

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Across the nation, people in both red states and blue states are realizing that modernizing our cities with 100% clean and renewable energy will help create jobs and boost local economies. In fact, it already is! Studies show that 100% clean energy is not only possible – it is less expensive than ‘business as usual’. Wind & solar are already the cheapest forms of electricity and are getting cheaper and more efficient every year. These industries are booming and creating jobs far faster than the rest of the economy; in fact, far more people are already employed in clean energy industries than in fossil fuels. Cities like Aspen, CO, Greensburg, KS, and Burlington, VT, and others have already achieved 100% clean energy and across the nation cities, counties, states, and major corporations are also going all-in on clean energy. As a coastal community in Florida, we are on the front lines of the climate crisis. Our communities, homes, families, and way of life are on the line, as is our kids’ future. We simply must help lead in the transition to a clean energy future. As such, we the undersigned, ask the Pinellas County Commission to pass a resolution that commits the county to these goals, to: Transition to 100% clean energy for all municipal operations by no later than 2035 for electricity and 2040 for all energy sectors (transportation, heating and cooling); as well as 100% clean energy community-wide by 2050. That includes clean and renewable energy sources only, including high efficiency and carbon-free energy generated from renewables including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, among others. That prioritizes equity, affordability, and access for all members of the community; prioritizing low-income communities and those burdened by environmental injustice caused by pollution, dirty infrastructure, and the associated ill effects on health, welfare, and local economies. Achieves this goal through a transparent, inclusive planning and implementation process that ensures community members and local businesses have opportunities to participate. To work with surrounding communities in achieving aligned clean energy and equity goals, and advocating for policies or regulations at the state, regional and/or federal level that aid the county in this transition. 160+ U.S cities, 10 Counties, and 8 states have already made this commitment. We ask that the Commission take such action as soon as possible.

By taking this action to protect the planet, you are affirming you want to receive regular Sierra Club communications and may vote on policy designated by the Sierra Club Board.