San Diego’s city council has unanimously voted to power its electricity with 100% renewable energy sources by 2035.
The city also approved proposals on Tuesday to eliminate half of all greenhouse gas emissions, and in doing so, has become the first city to make a legally binding pledge, reported the New York Times. San Diego also becomes the largest U.S. city to adopt such a comprehensive renewable energy plan, according to non-profit group Climate Action Campaign.
In a statement, San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city’s Climate Action Plan pushes forward some ambitious targets to ensure it meets its overall goal, including increasing the number of zero emissions vehicles in the city’s fleet to 90% by 2035, and achieving net zero energy consumption for its buildings. It’s part of a statewide move toward renewables, as California aims to reach a 33% renewable target in the next five years.
“We’ve struck the right balance with this plan, and San Diegans can look forward to more clean technology, renewable energy and economic growth,” said Faulconer in the statement.
This news follows a list of companies and cities in the U.S. that have pledged to source all their energy from renewable sources, with green energy advocate G0 100% listing 29 projects that have made such a promise. Cities like Burlington, Vt., and Aspen, Colo., have already made the successful transition, while places like Hawaii and San Francisco are making similar moves.
