Energy Efficiency, Energy Procurement, Sourcing Renewables  -  June 26, 2018

Seven U.S. cities join RE initiative

Seven U.S. cities to date have agreed to partner on a single Request for Information (RFI) for competitive pricing of large-scale renewable energy projects. Led by Mayor Martin J. Walsh of Boston, participating cities include Chicago, Evanston, Ill., Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Portland, Ore.  The City of Boston is currently working with partner cities to compile the collective energy load data for the RFI.

In a statement from the City of Boston, Mayor Walsh said, "Our effort on renewable energy will not only help cities cut carbon emissions and get us closer to the goals of Paris Climate Agreement, it will help power our cities and create more, clean energy jobs." He added, "We can do more than just address the problem of climate change, we can build a healthy, thriving future by working together."

"I applaud Mayor Walsh for taking aggressive steps to bring down carbon emissions levels in Boston, and for bringing cities together to protect the environment and grow jobs across the country," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "The Trump administration has buried its head in the sand on climate change, which is why we committed all of Chicago's municipal buildings to 100% renewable by 2025."

More cities are expected to join the initiative. As this happens, their energy demand data will be added to the collective load. The list will be finalized later this summer, at which time the RFI will be issued to renewable energy developers. The statement noted, “This action demonstrates the collective power of cities to invest in renewable energy and create more, middle class, clean energy jobs. If successful, a large-scale purchase of renewable energy will help power these cities, save money, and offset carbon emissions.”