Community Groups and Leaders Launch New Campaign To Move Cleveland To 100% Clean Energy #Climate #CleanEnergy

Cleveland community members, faith leaders, environmental justice advocates, educators, business owners, and many more rallied at Abbey Overlook in Cleveland’s Tremont area on September 12th to launch a new coalition campaign to urge city leaders to adopt a goal of moving Cleveland to 100% clean energy.Cleveland is a prime location to become 100% clean renewable energy due to the progressive work of city leadership with the implementation of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% below 2010 levels by 2050. However, Ohio has the fourth highest carbon footprint in the nation due to the state’s reliance on fossil fuels like coal and oil.

“100% clean, renewable energy in Cleveland means that our children and elders will have cleaner air to breath and can lead more quality lives,” said Jen Miller, Director of Sierra Club Ohio. “It also means we protect other communities who are facing air and water pollution from fracking, pipelines, and mining because we will make our own clean energy right here in Cleveland.”

The Cleveland metro area leads Ohio in the number of deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution, according to the American Thoracic Society and New York University’s Marron Institute of Urban Management. The American Lung Association has ranked Cleveland as the 11^th most polluted city in the United States.

“I’m here today as a faith leader, called to take care of God’s people and creation, “ said Reverend Tony Minor of Lutheran Metro Ministries. “It’s time for Cleveland to do the right thing and transition to the 100% clean energy economy.”

Seventeen cities, including major cities like San Diego and Salt Lake City, have announced commitments to 100% clean energy, and five cities in the United States have already achieved 100 percent clean energy and are powered today with entirely renewable sources. Last week, Boulder became the latest city to commit to 100% clean energy, which also includes a commitment to derive energy from local renewable energy resources. The City of Denver announced plans to study pathways to achieving 100% clean energy as part of the city’s greenhouse gas goals. The Sierra Club’s national Ready for 100 campaign and partners are currently campaigning in cities across the country to urge leaders to commit to powering local communities with 100% clean energy.

Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) is leading efforts to create an offshore wind energy industry in Northeast Ohio, starting with the proposed Icebreaker project. “With the Icebreaker Project, Cleveland will become a leader in offshore wind,” said Dr. Lorry Wagner, LEEDCo President.  “As the first in the Great Lakes region, the Icebreaker Project will help us learn how to produce offshore wind in ecologically safe ways, and we are excited to be part of Cleveland’s vision of a clean energy future.”

“Transitioning to 100% clean energy will bring more local jobs to the Cleveland area, reduce reliance on dirty fuels that threaten public health, and provide economic security for families and businesses in the region,” said Steve McPhee, Chair of the Sierra Club Northeast Ohio Group.  “We are here to challenge the Mayor to make Cleveland a leader in the clean energy economy through wind, solar, geothermal, and energy efficiency technologies.”

The Sierra Club is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental group in America with over 2.4 million members. The organization has a commitment to Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet. The goals of Cleveland’s Ready For 100 Campaign is to obtain 100% renewable energy in the electric sector by the year 2035 and sector wide by 2050 www.readyfor100.org