Park City, UT
Home MenuPopular Searches
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.
| |
SolSmart Gold
Park City, Utah Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Celia Peterson
celia.peterson@parkcity.org
435.287.5624
Park City, Utah Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth
PARK CITY, UTAH (November 26, 2018) – Park City, Utah received a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.
This designation recognizes Park City for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles for solar development. For companies looking to expand, a SolSmart Gold designation is a signal that Park City is “open for solar business.”
SolSmart, led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 200 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. Park City is one of 91 SolSmart Gold designees. This is especially notable as Utah is a non-home rule state, which means that Park City is not allowed to set its own energy code. Only six communities in non-home rule states have achieved SolSmart Gold.
“We have a clear path to 100% renewables by adopting a mix of energy efficiency measures, working with our utility to build new renewables, and producing solar energy from our rooftops. We want to make it practical and economic for all Parkites to harvest their energy directly from the sun. To achieve SolSmart Gold, we have modified our code to encourage our residents to adopt rooftop solar. We know that local renewables are of local economic benefit and provide clean, cheap energy for our community. This is our future and we are proud to receive this designation,” commented Mayor Andy Beerman.
As a SolSmart designee, Park City can help solar companies reduce the cost of installations and pass savings on to consumers. This allows even more local homes and businesses to obtain affordable, clean, and reliable electricity through solar. The actions Park City has taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and creating local jobs.
To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. This includes evaluating local permitting processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures. SolSmart designees also develop innovations in areas such as market development and finance.
For example, Park City waives permitting fees and has a streamlined process to ensure that solar systems can be permitting within two business days.
SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy development. Communities that take sufficient action are designated either gold, silver, or bronze.
As part of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities achieve designation. All cities and counties are eligible to join the SolSmart program and receive this technical assistance. Interested communities can learn more at SolSmart.org.