Portland commits to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050

Multnomah County is the most populous county in Oregon. Its Chair, Deborah Kafoury, welcomed the news. “This is a pledge to our children’s future,” she said. “100 percent renewables means a future with cleaner air, a stable climate and more jobs and economic opportunity.”

Portland is among a number of U.S. cities looking to embrace renewables. Over the weekend Chicago’s Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, announced that city buildings there were to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2025.

“By committing the energy used to power our public buildings to wind and solar energy, we are sending a clear signal that we remain committed to building a 21st century economy here in Chicago,” Emanuel said.

Back in Portland, Wheeler noted that tackling climate change would need to be a collaborative effort. “We don’t succeed addressing climate change by government action alone,” he said.

“We need our whole community: government, businesses, organizations and households to work together to make a just transition to a 100 percent renewable future.”