Minnesota town targets 100% renewable energy by 2031

Dive Brief:

The city of Rochester, Minn., will attempt to use all renewable energy by 2031, targeting energy efficiency and the heating and cooling sectors as the community's top priorities, Minnesota Public Radio reports.
Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede signed the proclamation, which also calls for adopting an "integrated approach" to fiscal, economic and energy policy.
Rochester is the latest Minnesota city to move towards 100% renewable power, though the much smaller Cologne, Minn., will likely be the first to actually meet the goal.

Dive Insight:

A Minnesota town joined a rapidly growing trend of cities aiming for 100% renewables in their power resource mix across the United States.

Minnesota -- named by WalletHub recently as the third most energy-efficient state -- appears to be experiencing a community-focused boom in clean energy interest.

Cologne, with a population of about 1,500, announced over the summer that a community solar deal would allow the municipality to source all of its energy from clean sources. The city expects to save $1.1 million with its 25-year solar subscription. Now, Rochester (much larger, with a population exceeding 100,000) will move in the same direction.

Rochester's Mayor Brede signed the proclamation on Oct. 12, declaring the city's plan to reach all renewables by 2031. The plan focuses on energy efficiency, consumer education, electrifying the heating, cooling and transport sectors, and adopting integrated planning approaches.

The city says it will also maximize potential for citizen participation, as well as seeking to grow business opportunities.

"At the heart of a successful 100% renewables strategy, it is fundamental to allow open participation in the development and financing of energy infrastructure," the proclamation reads.

These Minnesota towns have followed Georgetown, Texas and Aspen, Colorado's examples. Aspen just inked a deal in April to purchase enough wind power from the the Municipal Energy Association of Nebraska to make their power resource mix 100% renewable energy. Georgetown signed a solar deal with SunEdison to supply 150 MW of clean power to the city by 2016 for 25 years.