South Lake Tahoe first Sierra community to have goal of 100% renewable energy

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - Residents of South Lake Tahoe take pride in their city, its beauty, charm and recreational opportunities, and action during Tuesday's City Council gave people another reason to appreciate their community.

In honor of Earth Day, the City of South Lake Tahoe joined at least 26 other municipalities in the United States, and the latest in a growing coalition of mountain communities, to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable electricity by the year 2032.

Local sustainability groups and citizens concerned with the effects of climate change and environmental stewardship joined together and worked with the City to create a proclamation to transition entirely to use of renewable sources of electricity in 15 years. They will now make up a sustainable committee to help move the city to meeting the goals.

An overflowing crowd at the Council meeting greeted the unanimous decision, and many of them spoke in support of the proclamation.

This announcement comes on the heels of similar pledges from Moab and Park City, Utah to transition to renewable electricity, showing that mountain communities are taking control of their energy future.

“South Lake Tahoe’s commitment for 100 percent renewable electricity is driven by our community,” said Mayor Austin Sass of South Lake Tahoe. “The passion to protect our natural resources made this commitment possible, and reflects the city's vision statement to 'reflect the National Treasure in which we live'.”

SLT City Councilman Tom Davis also said being 100 percent renewable is also a good marketing tool they can use in the future. He referenced the stickers the crowd wore Tuesday, and though stickers saying South Lake Tahoe will be using 100% clean energy could be in stores, on cars and other signage.

“The signing of the 100 percent renewable resolution today is a testament to what is possible,” said Nick Exline with 100% South Lake Tahoe. “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 South Lake Tahoe commit to 100% renewable electricity.”

"On Earth Day 2017, the City of South Lake Tahoe decided to make a goal of 100 percent renewable," added. Exline. "This is a chance to do something very special today."

Fourteen of the 15 hottest years on record globally have occurred since the beginning of this century, and 2016 is currently on track to be added to that list. By the end of the century, it is estimated that only six of the 19 cities that have previously hosted the Winter Olympics could be cold enough to host again according to the Climate Reality Project.

“In the face of climate change in our own back yards, at our favorite ski mountain or hiking trail, a growing movement of mountain communities are coming together to determine our energy future, and it’s one without fossil fuels,” said Kim Stevens, I AM PRO SNOW Senior Regional Field Organizer. “We applaud the South Lake Tahoe city council for taking bold action to tackle the climate crisis and committing to 100 percent renewable electricity."

“Given the impact that fossil fuel-driven climate change is already having on Lake Tahoe and our mountain communities, it’s critical that the region lead the way toward the bold clean energy solutions that we need to take for our kids and grandkids," said John Friedrich of Climate Parents. “By committing to powering South Lake Tahoe with 100 percent clean and renewable energy, the City Council today has established Tahoe’s intention to be a national clean energy leader, no matter what is happening in Washington, DC.”

"We are excited to be facilitating this initiative in South Lake Tahoe and look forward to duplicating this effort in mountain communities across the Sierra Nevada," said Jenny Hatch, Executive Director, Sierra Nevada Alliance. "By a collective effort, on the local level, we will make a tremendous impact. If local communities are interested in joining this growing movement, we welcome them contact us."

A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS FOR SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

WHEREAS, South Lake Tahoe municipal government is responsible to promote the public health and safety of its residents, including access to clean air, clean water and a livable environment; and

WHEREAS, energy resources we utilize as a municipal government and community significantly impact public health and safety, including the economic and social well-being of current and future residents; and

WHEREAS, there is scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change and the connection between human activity, especially the combustion of fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases, and warming of the planet; and

WHEREAS, South Lake Tahoe is already feeling the effects of climate change locally through increased temperatures, changes in water systems, extreme weather events and other disruptions that threaten our economy, residents and overall quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the transition to a low-carbon community reliant on the efficient use of renewable energy resources and electrified transportation will provide a range of benefits including improved air quality, enhanced public health, increased national and energy security, local green jobs, reduced reliance on finite resources and myriad other positive outcomes; and

WHEREAS, South Lake Tahoe is committed to helping facilitate this transition alongside other national and international communities that have prioritized addressing climate change by investing in clean energy to enhance the well-being of current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, emissions from electricity generation are the largest component of both the municipal and community carbon inventories for South Lake Tahoe, making up more than 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions from both footprints; and

WHEREAS, South Lake Tahoe is currently renegotiating its franchise agreement with its electric provider (Liberty Energy), the details of which will be of critical importance to accomplishing our renewable energy goals and as such, the City will strive to encourage Liberty Energy to adopt renewable energy policies and goals.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of South Lake Tahoe does hereby resolve as follows:

• Section 1. Renewable Energy Goals: The City establishes a goal to achieve 100% renewable electricity citywide by 2032. To reach this goal, the City of South Lake Tahoe will encourage the transition to 100% renewable energy by 2032; and the City will also endeavor to adopt policies to encourage 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2032, including 50% municipal renewable energy by 2025; the City will conduct thorough cost analysis of adoption of these goals by the end of 2018 and determine a funding source for the efforts. Publication of the City's efforts will be included the City's annual performance reports to the public.

• Section 2. Community Carbon Emissions Reduction Goal: 80% by 2040. The City of South Lake Tahoe will strive toward the reduction of community greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2040, including a reduction of at least 50% by 2030. This reduction will be relative to the City's current emissions baseline records and data. Updated community greenhouse gas emissions inventories will be published at least every three years starting in 2018.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of South Lake Tahoe at a regular meeting of the City Council on April 18, 2017 by the following vote 5-0.