A new report from the Sierra Club says about 50 American municipalities are now working on using 100 percent renewable energy in the coming years.
The first New Hampshire town to get on board was Hanover, which says it’s nearly a quarter of the way toward using only renewable electricity by 2030.
While some towns work toward their goals by buying renewable energy certificates – basically investing in larger efforts – Hanover Town Manager Julia Griffin says she'd rather see lasting changes start at home.
"We want people to be reducing their consumption, we want people to be generating locally, and we want folks to be engaged,” she says. “Because quite frankly, I think that's much more critical in terms of the future of our environment."
She says her town is working with neighbors such as Lebanon on new solar zoning and joint power agreements.
Hanover is also considering investing in hydropower, and developing ways to help citizens contribute to the 100 percent green electricity goal.
"If we can educate our residents and make it easy for them to access involvement, that's three-quarters of the battle,” says Griffin.
She says the electricity goal is the priority now, but they hope to extend it to heating and transportation by 2050.
Other communities considering 100 percent renewable goals this year include Concord, Lebanon, Plainfield, and Keene.
