Different cities, same goals

Do these cities sound like they have a lot in common to you?

One is in Wisconsin, and one is in Louisiana. One is a college town of over 234,000 people, and the other is one-tenth of that size, barely cracking 2,300.

Over 70 percent of voters in City A voted for Hillary Clinton, and more than 75 percent voted for Donald Trump in City B.

And yet, despite these differences, both Madison, Wis. and Abita Springs, La. made the same pledge this week: they committed to move to 100 percent renewable energy, showing wind power isn’t red or blue– it’s American.

This offers yet another example that no matter where Americans live or what political beliefs they hold, we all realize generating more of our electricity from renewables makes sense. So it’s no surprise 83 percent of Americans support growing wind power according to a recent Pew poll.

Here’s what people are saying about the news:

• As the mayor of a small town, I take seriously my responsibility to set the direction for our community. Transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy is a practical decision we’re making for our environment, our economy, and for what our constituents want in Abita Springs. Politics has nothing to do with it for me. Clean energy just makes good economic sense. –Abita Springs Mayor Greg Lemons

• These goals will drive a clean energy economy that creates local jobs, provides affordable and sustainable electricity, and results in cleaner air and water. I am proud to be a part of this council that has made the historic commitment that will lead our community to a more sustainable future. –Madison Common Council Alder Zach Wood

• Whether you’re Republican or a Democrat, from a liberal college city or a rural Louisiana town, clean energy is putting America back to work and benefiting communities across the country. That’s why Madison, Wis., and Abita Springs, La., today join the ranks of 23 other cities and towns across the U.S. that are going all-in on clean, renewable energy. —Jodie Van Horn, director of the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign

Madison and Abita Springs join a growing list of cities that want to move to 100 percent renewable energy. Four have already hit that goal: Aspen, Colo., Georgetown, Texas, Burlington, Vt., Columbia, Md., and Greensburg, Kan.

Because wind energy’s costs have fallen by two-thirds over the last seven years, it’s now the cheapest source of new electric generating capacity in parts of the country and cost-competitive in many more. That means it can help these cities meet their targets while saving money for families and businesses.

Check out this video of Greensburg, Kan. to learn more about why its residents decided to move toward a renewable future: