TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Traverse City’s streetlights, water plants, government buildings and more could be powered by green energy within the next five years.
City commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution this week committing the city to source all of the energy for its operations from wind, solar, geothermal and landfill gas by 2020, The Traverse City Record-Eagle (https://bit.ly/2h6sQLF ) reported.
They also created a committee to identify ways to meet the goal and make other recommendations, such as how the city can cut its greenhouse gas emissions.
Michigan Environmental Council climate and energy specialist Kate Madigan said embracing renewable energy over fossil fuel-generated power creates health and environmental benefits. She added that nearly 20 cities across the U.S. have adopted the same goal and three have already achieved it.
Scientists advise that fossil fuels must be dropped entirely by 2050 to avoid the worst consequences of climate change, Madigan said, and communities like Traverse City are taking the lead to make the change happen.
The goals mean city commissioners and staff must watch efficiency and emissions when planning future budgets, projects, equipment and vehicle purchases, Commissioner Tim Werner said.
Mayor Jim Carruthers said he’s glad commissioners supported the plan and that Traverse City should do all it can to protect its natural resources.
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Information from: Traverse City Record-Eagle, https://www.record-eagle.com
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