Moab Celebrates 100% Renewable Electricity Resolution and Solar Project Completion

Moab, Utah – On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, the City of Moab, Utah, became the latest in a series of communities across the US to commit to 100 percent renewable electricity. Today, city officials, business owners, and other stakeholders joined together at City Hall to celebrate the Moab City Council’s passing of a resolution committing the city to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2032, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the building’s new solar array.

“Moab’s commitment for 100 percent renewable electricity is driven by our community’s passion for our natural environment and a sustainable future,” said Mayor Dave Sakrison. “Moab City is excited to do our part with our move to make City Hall go solar. This makes sense from not only an environmental perspective, but fiscally as well.”

The City Hall solar energy project, made possible by a Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky Grant, will double the capacity of the building’s solar generation capability to 63 kilowatts.

“Moab is known for its spectacular scenery, but the community should also be recognized for its early commitment to renewable energy,” said Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Paul Murphy. “This new solar installation at Moab City Hall is one more opportunity for Rocky Mountain Blue Sky customers to acknowledge the city's efforts to go green."

Moab’s commitment follows on the heels of a similar pledge from Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, to transition to 100 percent renewable electricity, showing that mountain and outdoor sports communities are leading the way to a clean energy future.

“For Moab, one of the world’s great outdoor sports destinations, the implications of climate change could not be more troubling,” said City Councilmember Kalen Jones. “With rising temperatures, reduced water supplies, economic instability and other impacts threatening to greatly limit activity for months at a time and quell the steady stream of mountain bikers, hikers, and other adventurers making the pilgrimage and fueling the city’s economy.”

The good news is that the mountain and recreation-based communities feeling the impacts of a changing climate are recognizing the power of clean energy to solve it and taking the lead in a growing movement.

“Our mountain and outdoor recreation communities worldwide are recognizing that we are at the forefront of the fight against the climate crisis,” said Kim Stevens, senior field organizer with The Climate Reality Project’s I AM PRO SNOW program. “Today, Moab joins the growing movement of communities with the I AM PRO SNOW 100% Committed campaign, committing to clean electricity and sending a message to the rest of the world that we are in charge of our electricity future.” For more information about The Climate Reality Project go to www.theclimaterealityproject.org.