On November 21st, the Saint Petersburg City Council formally approved the city’s commitment to transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy. Saint Petersburg represents the first city in Florida and the 20th city in the country to make such a commitment.
In a unanimous vote, the City Council Committee of the Whole allocated $250K of BP Oil Spill settlement funds to an “Integrated Sustainability Action Plan” (ISAP), which will chart a roadmap to 100% clean, renewable energy in Saint Petersburg. In addition, the plan also incorporates components of a climate action plan, a resiliency plan and strategies for Saint Petersburg to achieve a 5 STAR Community rating. The 100% clean energy roadmap builds on Mayor Rick Kriseman’s Executive Order establishing a net-zero energy goal for the City earlier in 2016.
Mayor Rick Kriesman will share more information on the Integrated Sustainability Action Plan at a press conference on December 9 at 2:30 PM on the steps of City Hall. The Chancellor of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg will also make an announcement about the University’s recently-completed Climate Action Plan.
In response to the vote, Saint Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman issued the following statement:
“The Integrated Sustainability Action Plan builds on my Executive Order on Sustainability by creating a roadmap to achieve the City’s long-term sustainability goals. Working towards 100% clean energy and zero waste will help ensure that St. Pete remains a ‘city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play.”
Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the following statement:
“The movement for clean energy in cities and towns across the country is now more important than ever. Saint Petersburg joins 19 other cities from San Diego, California to Greensburg, Kansas that will lead the way to support equitable and inclusive communities built on 100% clean, renewable energy for all. Whether you’re from a red state or blue state, clean energy works for everyone and local leaders will continue to move forward to create more jobs, stronger communities, and cleaner air and water.”
Emily Gorman, Campaign Manager for Suncoast Sierra Club’s Ready for 100% St. Pete, issued the following statement:
“This is a historic moment for St. Pete. We envision a city where families can raise their kids in communities free from toxic pollution, where everyone has the opportunity for a good job and access to healthy, affordable energy. The transition to 100% clean, renewable energy will ensure a more resilient, sustainable and equitable future for all our residents.”
Organizations that support the Ready for 100% St. Pete campaign include Oceana, Environment Florida, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Sunshine State Interfaith Power & Light, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, LocalShops1, Center for Biological Diversity, Chart 411, Craftsman House, The Burg Bar & Grill and St. Peace House.
BACKGROUND: In addition to the $250K allocated for the Integrated Sustainability Action Plan, two other projects have been allocated from the reserved $1 million from the BP Oil Spill settlement funds. $250K has been allocated for an energy efficiency audit and an update of City property. $300K has been allocated for collaboration with Pinellas County in developing a vulnerability assessment and modeling program that will asses the impacts and risks from potential future scenarios, like sea level rise and direct hurricane hits.
ABOUT SUNCOAST SIERRA CLUB’S READY FOR 100% ST. PETE:
St. Petersburg is one of the first cities in the nation to join Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 national campaign, aimed at leveraging the power of cities to catalyze a national transition toward renewable energy. Suncoast Sierra Club is a grassroots environmental group comprised of 3,000+ member and 15,000+ supporters. Ready for 100% St. Pete develops residential and commercial pilot programs with partner organizations and raises public awareness of clean energy and climate planning. Visit SuncoastSierra.org.
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