Renewable Energy Pledge in Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara has become the 30th city in the United States to commit to a transition to 100 clean and renewable energy.

        Santa Barbara is the first city on the Central Coast to make the bold commitment to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and transition all municipal buildings and operations to 50 percent clean energy by 2020.

        “President Trump may be withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, but cities are stepping up and re-committing to adopt, honor and uphold the Paris climate goals. I’m proud that Santa Barbara just adopted a 100% renewable energy goal and is joining other cities across the nation leading the way on clean energy at the local level,” said Mayor Helene Schneider.

        “Renewable energy costs have decreased dramatically and are now cost competitive with fossil fuels, and Santa Barbara County already has eight times more jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency than in the oil industry. The transition to 100 percent clean energy represents a better and more prosperous path forward for our community,” said Katie Davis, chair of the Sierra Club’s Santa Barbara Group.

        Other California cities to commit to 100 percent renewable energy include San Diego, San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe, Del Mar and Palo Alto.