Helena is the second city in Montana to commit to 100 percent clean, renewable energy community-wide. The Helena City Commission passed a resolution to reach this goal by 2030, a press release stated.
The resolution, which was brought to the City Commission by a group of citizens, is part of an ongoing effort to take on climate measures important to the city’s residents, businesses and organization.
“Today we fulfilled a responsibility to our present community and its future generations,” Mayor Wilmot Collins said. “We made long-term commitment to put the health and well-being of Helena and its citizens at the forefront of our decisions about how we grow into the future and how we meet our community’s energy needs. This is the first step, and I look forward to the journey.”
The resolution not only established a 100 percent clean energy goal, it also calls on NorthWestern Energy—the electricity provider to the city—to bring “cheaper renewable energy for its customers as well as reconsider its long term energy supply plan and the impacts clean energy would have on Montana ratepayers,” a press release stated.
“Helena, Missoula, and other communities are ready for clean air and water, lower electricity bills, and a local clean energy economy—and this movement is showing no signs of slowing,” Melissa Hornbein, a member of the Helena Ready for 100 group, a campaign launched in Helena as part of the Global Climate Strike, said.
It also insures that “benefits are equitably available to marginalized groups or populations in the Helena community, including low-income populations, Native peoples, and people of color,” a press release stated.
“Cities are filling the void in climate action in the absence of state or federal leadership,” Hornbein said.
With support from 42 local businesses, Helena now joins Missoula in committing to 100 percent clean, renewable energy community-wide.
COMMENTS