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Portland, Oregon, Signs Up to 100pc Green Energy Commitment

  • Publish Date: Posted almost 7 years ago

The city of Portland in the state of Oregon has committed to run entirely from renewable energy by 2050. The city leaders said that they would be working to provide total city electricity needs by 2035, and then transition heat and transport needs from renewable sources by 2050.

The City Mayor, Ted Wheeler, said that the goal was an ambitious one but vital, and the city shared it with big US companies such as Hewlett Packard, Nike, GM, Google, Microsoft, Walmart, Coca Cola and Johnson & Johnson.

He spoke of the city's responsibility to guide Oregon in its drive towards a clean economy, speaking of the benefit for current and future generations alike.

The city is the most popular part of Oregon, and the news has been welcomed by city leaders for its role in bringing clean air, climate stability, more skilled jobs and economic benefits to the region.

A number of US cities are moving towards the 100pc renewables commitment. The mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, has recently announced that all city buildings will be using 100pc renewable energy in seven years time.

He explained that the move would send a clear signal that Chicago is committed to building a modern and sustainable economy. However, city leaders across states have noted that the climate change battle will take more than simply government action. It will require everyone in the community to work together collaboratively to ensure the transition occurs successfully.

US states, businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals are publicly pledging to move to renewable energy futures, despite President Trump's electoral campaign to bring fossil fuels back to America and his well-publicised scepticism about the validity and value of clean and green renewable energy technologies.