Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has released the city’s climate action plan, to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity in municipal facilities by 2025 and community-wide by 2030.
The 2030 target is an update to the 2015 Climate Action Plan, referred to as the 80×50 Plan, which aims for 80 percent fewer emissions by 2050 based on 2005 emissions.
Denver has become the 73rd city in the United States to commit to a 100 percent renewable-electricity target. Nine other Colorado cities have made commitments to a 100 percent renewable-electricity target. Denver is considered the largest.
Targets:
| Energy efficiency and fuel switching |
| By 2020, Denver will reduce commercial building energy use by 10 percent |
| By 2030, Denver will reduce commercial building energy use by 20 percent |
| By 2035, all new buildings in Denver will be net-zero |
| By 2050, 90 percent of existing buildings will complete energy-efficiency improvements |
| By 2050, 50 percent of tenants will participate in a green lease program |
| By 2050, switch 50 percent of fuel usage in commercial and residential properties from natural gas/propane to low-carbon fuel and/or electric |
| Electric vehicles |
| By 2030, all electric vehicles will be powered by 100 percent renewable electricity |
| By 2050, 80 percent of light-duty vehicles will be electric |
| By 2050, 100 percent of Denver’s light- and heavy-duty vehicles will be electric or fueled by other carbon-free fuel |
| By 2050, 100 percent of taxis and transportation network vehicles will be electric |
| Freight |
| By 2050, 74 percent of freight trucks will use carbon-free fuel |
| Mobility |
| By 2030, 8 percent of commuters will bike to work |
| By 2030, 9 percent of commuters will walk to work |
| By 2030, 7.5 percent of commuters will telecommute |
| By 2050, 18 percent of commuters will bike to work |
| By 2050, 15 percent of commuters will walk to work |
| Public transit and carpool |
| By 2030, 16 percent of commuters will use public transit |
| By 2050, 18 percent of commuters will use public transit |
| By 2050, 100 percent of transportation will be carbon free |
Other recent coverage by i3 about U.S. cities/states making 100 percent renewable pledge:
New Hampshire’s capital makes 100% renewables pledge
New Jersey governor formalizes 100% clean energy goal by 2050
Kennett Township, Pa. commits to 100% renewable energy
Minneapolis commits to 100% clean energy
Pennsylvania legislation seeks 100% renewable energy path
Study shows L.A. can reach 100% renewables by 2030
Summit County, Colorado commits to 100% renewables by 2035
City Council of Longmont, Colo. to adopt 100% clean renewable energy supply policy