Park City, UT
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100% Renewable Electricity Pledge
Latest in Series of Mountain Communities Making Renewable Electricity Transition
Contact:
Talya Tavor, I AM PRO SNOW Program Manager
talya.tavor@climatereality.com
(847) 997-0564
Linda Jager, Community Engagement Manager
linda.jager@parkcity.org
(435) 640-2625
The Climate Reality Project & Park City Announce 100% Renewable Electricity Pledge
Latest in Series of Mountain Communities Making Renewable Electricity Transition
Park City, Utah—Today, Park City, Utah became the latest in a series of mountain communities to commit to 100 percent renewable electricity. Surrounded by city council members, key members of the community, and partners, Park City Mayor Jack Thomas signed on to Climate Reality’s 100% Committed campaign. He pledged that the city’s electricity would come entirely from renewable sources by 2032. This announcement comes on the heels of a similar pledge from Salt Lake City, Utah and a recent commitment from Boulder, Colorado to transition to renewable electricity, showing that mountain communities are taking control of their energy future.
Park City’s announcement is grounded in a chilling reality. Fourteen of the 15 hottest years on record globally have occurred since the beginning of this century, and 2016 is currently on track to be added to that list. All around the world, winters are changing and ski seasons are getting shorter and less predictable. In fact, by the end of the century, it is estimated that only six of the 19 cities that have previously hosted the Winter Olympics could be cold enough to host again.
The good news is that the winter sports and mountain communities feeling the impacts of climate change are increasingly leading efforts to solve it. National businesses like Ski Butlers, which is headquartered in Park City, have made the commitment to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity, as well as international ski resorts, such as LAAX (in Switzerland). These commitments are yet another sign that business and government leaders at every level recognize the need to confront climate change and are embracing practical solutions to do so.
“The Climate Reality Project’s I AM PRO SNOW community is absolutely incredible, and we have been so proud to work with cities like Park City,” said Talya Tavor, I AM PRO SNOW Program Manager. “Park City recognizes that without snow, they cannot grow. At Climate Reality we bring together the passion to fight climate change with the passion to protect our mountain communities to make an unstoppable force for change. That’s why it is no surprise that mountain cities are leading the way on renewable electricity.”
“Park City’s commitment for 100% renewable electricity is driven by our community.” Said Mayor Jack Thomas of Park City. “The passion for the natural environment and our responsibility to take care of it is part of the fabric of what makes Park City a very special place to live. Park City can’t do it alone. I challenge other communities to across the nation join us in this goal.”
"I am proud to call Park City home,” said Bryn Carey, President and CEO of local ski concierge company, Ski Butlers, “both to me personally and my company, and I look forward to helping others commit to and attain a transition to 100% clean energy. Our future depends on it. What started as a far off distant goal, became a reality as local officials in Park City have committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity. This leadership shows that changing the world starts at a grassroots level by setting a big goal, then lining up the dominos to turn the goal into a reality. Park City's success gives a blueprint to other mountain towns, cities, states and countries across the globe to be a part of the climate change solution.”
About The Climate Reality Project
The Climate Reality Project is working to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every level of society. Learn more at https://www.climaterealityproject.org.
About I AM PRO SNOW
With climate change threatening our planet and ways of life, I AM PRO SNOW, through The Climate Reality Project, launched the 100% Committed Campaign to work with mountain communities and winter sports businesses worldwide. By taking action and committing to run on 100-percent renewable electricity, we can make a difference for our communities. Learn more at https://www.climaterealityproject.org/pro-snow
About Park City Municipal Corporation
Park City Municipal Corporation is the government seat for Park City, Utah. A former silver mining town, Park City is now home to two world-class ski resorts and was the mountain host for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. The town of 7,500 also hosts many special events, including the Sundance Film Festival and the final stage of the Tour of Utah.
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Renewables
Converting our electricity to 100% renewable is a major part of our transition to become a carbon neutral community. Renewable electricity is created using technologies that don't burn any fossil fuels to create energy, such as water, wind or the sun. There are no associated greenhouse gas emissions with creating energy from renewables. We're confident that the future will be powered with renewables.
Approximately one-third of our community-wide carbon footprint comes from the electricity we use. Decarbonization means removing the carbon emitted from our energy sources. Transitioning to renewables is how we will decarbonize the energy that Park City uses.
In 2016, Park City made the decision to work with the local utility, Rocky Mountain Power, to work together to bring 100% renewable electricity to Park City. Salt Lake City, Summit County and Moab have joined the effort and in total we will convert eighteen percent of Utah’s electric grid to renewables. While Park City is a small community of only around 8,000 people, we believe we have the power to influence to create a pathway for other communities to transition to 100% renewables.
Not only does renewable energy emit drastically fewer carbon emissions as it produces electricity, it will transform Utah’s economy, produce jobs and provide stable electricity. It will also clean the air as we transition our homes, buildings, and transportation to fully electric. Renewables are becoming cheaper than fossil fuels. Renewable energy has plunged is price, and now is competitive, and often cheaper, when compared to traditional coal and natural gas generation. Renewable electricity often has zero cost fuel. The sun and wind don’t ever send a bill. Compare this to traditional coal and natural gas generation, where the fuel price can fluctuate. PacifiCorp, Rocky Mountain Power’s parent company, recently stated that thirteen of its twenty-two coal plants are uneconomic.
In addition, renewable energy keeps the dollars spent on energy close to home. Park City alone spends over $245 million per year on energy, much of which ends up in unstable or even corrupt regions of the world. Imagine if that money was spent on local jobs, benefiting our local economy?
