NEVADA CITY, Calif. -- Nevada City, Calif. became the latest in a growing movement of mountain communities to commit to move to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.

Surrounded by city council members, key members of the community and partners, Mayor Duane Strawser announced the city’s near unanimous vote to ensure that the city’s electricity will come entirely from renewable sources by 2030 and that all energy sources would be renewable by 2050.

Nevada City is now the 41st city in the country to establish a 100 percent renewable energy goal and comes on the heels of similar pledges from South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and Park City, Utah, showing that mountain communities are taking control of their energy future.

"Nevada City’s commitment for 100 percent renewable energy is driven by our community." said Mayor Duane Strawser. "The passion for the natural environment and our responsibility to take care of it is part of the fabric of what makes Nevada City a very special place to live. I challenge other communities across the nation to join us in this goal."

Nevada City’s resolution is grounded in a burning reality as the growing impacts of climate change threaten this mountain community. Fourteen of the 15 hottest years on record globally have occurred since the beginning of this century, and 2017 is predicted to be the second warmest on record.

"If this summer is any indicator of what climate change can mean for the future of our community, it is time to do all we can to avoid its impacts," said Don Rivenes with the Nevada County Climate Change Coalition. "Over the last three years and particularly the last few months we have seen citizens from across our community come together to tackle climate change by helping our city officials take bold action. We’re thrilled to see Nevada City commit to 100 percent renewable energy today."

Nevada City has an existing Energy Action Plan with a goal of a 28 percent reduction in electricity use by 2020. The resolution will lead the way toward updating the EAP to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

SOURCE: Sierra Club