Another Florida City Targets 100% Clean Energy

The city council of Satellite Beach, Fla., has unanimously passed a resolution committing the city to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy for the entire community by 2050 and for municipal operations by 2032.

Satellite Beach becomes the first city in Brevard County, Fla., and the 10th city in the state to commit to powering its entire community with 100% clean energy, says the Sierra Club.

The city will begin developing a plan immediately to achieve both goals. The resolution emphasizes inclusion and transparency in the planning process, which will establish interim milestones, budget estimates, equity metrics and financing mechanisms with community residents and stakeholders over the next two years.

Satellite Beach joins a growing group of Florida cities – including Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tallahassee and Gainesville, among others – and becomes the 133rd community in the U.S. to commit to this goal.

According to the Sierra Club, Satellite Beach has a history of environmental leadership: from being one of the first 15 cities in the nation to achieve SolSmart “Gold” designation, to establishing the Logos Community Garden at Desoto Park for residents to rent their own growing plots. Recently, the city made PACE funding available to residents from all four providers in the area and established a goal to convert its city hall and public works buildings to 100% solar power by 2022.

“Because Satellite Beach already has a sustainability action plan in place, the city has been well on its way to moving toward a cleaner and healthier community,” says Leslie Maloney, vice chair of the Turtle Coast Sierra Club Group. “The passing of this resolution shows that the Satellite Beach wants to continue to make their community a leader in the fight for a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy. By committing to 100 percent renewable energy goals, Satellite Beach is paving the way for other communities to follow suit, and we look forward to working with the city to make this transition.”