The quiet town of Nederland, Colorado, with roughly a couple thousand residents, has committed to a bold action that presents a competitive challenge to the rest of the state, as well as the United States—maybe even the world. They’re aiming for 100 percent renewable energy use by the year 2025. It may be just one little town. But if its bold action is successful, it could have a bold impact across the country as other towns and cities adapt their tactics. With such a fact, advancing renewable energy in Colorado is indeed off to a great start!
Details on Renewable Energy in Colorado
The move to go green is quite popular in Colorado, with Aspen already ahead of the pack—most particularly, on the matter of renewable energy in Colorado. The skiing capital shifted to renewable energy—which includes wind, solar and geothermal heat—in 2015. This detail makes Aspen the third city within the U.S. to do so. The first two cities were and Greensburg, Kansas, and Burlington, Vermont.
Notably, in Colorado, the city of Pueblo is targeting 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, while Boulder is aiming to go completely green by 2030. Nederland, for its part, is charging forward by setting their target date to 2025. According to the Boulder Daily Camera, the city committed to transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy after passing a unanimously approved city resolution. The Board of Trustees also voted to have their deadline set five years earlier than any other cities within the U.S., citing urgency. The city’s current energy provider is Xcel Energy, a Minneapolis-Minnesota based utility holding company, which has 3.3 million electric customers and 1.8 million natural gas clients in various areas, including Colorado.
Xcel Energy and Nederland
Since 1998, Xcel Energy has been offering sustainable energy alternatives to its clients and the communities it serves. To accomplish this, it has facilities which generate electricity from solar and wind energy. According to reports, over 2.3 million electric and natural gas clients have converted to energy-efficient programs, for households and businesses, as of 2015.
Xcel Energy is also offering incentives for its customers to install solar panels. The city of Nederland and its close to 2,000 residents hope to explore different options with the company in order to achieve their target.
Reducing Environmental Footprint
Aspen and the rest of the cities which have gone green were motivated to reduce their environmental footprint, as well as become an inspiration to the rest of the world. Most of them formerly relied on coal for energy but have since shifted to a healthier combination of wind and solar.
In a surprise move, California is also joining the green movement. While known as the third biggest gas- and oil-producing state, California is now looking at renewable energy in order to reduce pollution and cut carbon emissions within its cities. The state’s goal is to produce and use 60 percent renewable energy by the year 2030 and become 100 percent dependent on renewable energy by 2045. It also aims to create new jobs in the renewable energy industry.
Currently, 33 percent of the state’s electricity is imported from other sources. At the same time, 6 percent of its power is sourced from coal. Compared to the state of Hawaii—which has also committed to 100 percent renewable energy by 2045—, California has a huge population. This detail means it will need to lay down massive infrastructure in order to sustain the power requirements for its cities, businesses and industries.
Renewable Energy in Colorado and Oher States: Making A Bold Impact
Still, the collective efforts of Nederland, Aspen, California and Hawaii are not only admirable, but they are also considered bold and innovative. These communities and their leaders have taken a strong stand toward a sustainable energy future. And this move veritably involves taking concrete measures to achieve their goals within the set deadlines and on top of working alongside local governments to ensure a smooth transition.
