Fitchburg Passes Clean Energy Resolution - Fitchburg becomes 4th city in Wisconsin to seek 100% clean electricity
Fitchburg, WI – On Tuesday, February 26th, the Fitchburg Common Council formally approved the city’s commitment to clean energy. The Resolution to Address Global Climate Change through Clean Energy allows the city to develop an Energy and Water Plan that includes a resiliency, sustainability, and adaptation plan to deal with anticipated climate changes. The resolution sets a goal to meet 100% of electric needs for City operations with renewable energy resources by 2030.
“Climate change is happening. It’s going to affect cities in the future, so we have to prepare,” said Julia Arata-Fratta, District 2 Alder, “We can request more energy efficient buildings and drought-resistant plantings in parks. We’re trying to set a vision for the city that we’re going to be a green city. Climate change could become a credit issue for city and state government. The cities that have a plan for climate change will have a favored outcome in their rating because they are prepared for future catastrophic issues.” Moody’s Investor Service, a major credit rating agency, considers climate risks as a factor in state and local government credit ratings.
This is an extension of the City’s commitment to the State of Wisconsin 25x25 Energy Independence pledge adopted in 2008. The goals established by former Governor Doyle’s Office of Energy Independence include: generating 25% of electricity and transportation fuels from renewable resources by 2025; capturing 10% of the emerging bio-industry and renewable energy market by 2030; and becoming a national leader in groundbreaking energy research.
Tony Hartmann, District 4 Alder, said “It’s not only the right thing to do for cost, but also for public health. Low-income and vulnerable residents are often most susceptible to public health impacts of continued reliance on fossil fuels. This is an equity issue too, and we need to address it.”
Fitchburg joins Madison, Eau Claire, and Middleton as cities in Wisconsin that have passed similar resolutions. According to Sierra Club, over 90 cities in the US, ten counties, and two states have already adopted ambitious 100% clean energy goals; and six of those cities have achieved their goals.