Park City's Statement on Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord

Post Date:06/02/2017 4:23 PM

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR JACK THOMAS & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER LUKE CARTIN ON THE UNITED STATES' WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD

Park City Municipal Corporation was extremely disappointed with the federal decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. Given Park City’s commitment to sustainability, our resolve is only strengthened to continue our march forward in the battle against climate change and environmental degradation. So today, we join in solidarity with countless cities, states, and organizations across the United States and world in an effort to continue to advance the environmental policies that will effect real change at the local level. Harnessing the power of community is one of the most powerful tools to influence change, and the Park City community stands strong in our commitment to the principles of the Paris Climate Accord.

- Mayor Jack Thomas 
- Environmental Sustainability Manager Luke Cartin

Park City has pledged to become the first carbon-neutral city in North America by 2032, as well as provide 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by the same year. Learn more about Park City Municipal Corporation’s environmental and carbon initiatives. 

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Park City, Utah Designated “SolSmart Gold” for Advancing Solar Energy Growth

Post Date:11/26/2018 4:32 PM

    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.