Mayor Lovely Warren made two announcements furthering the City of Rochester's efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change.
Warren endorsed the Sierra Club's "Mayors For 100% Clean Energy" initiative, joining 141 other mayors from across the United States in supporting a community-wide transition to renewable energy.
"We know that if we don't take action to battle climate change, the natural resources that we cherish will be at great risk. Yet still some deny that climate change is real. If Washington won't act, we will."
The mayor is also working with the Rochester People's Climate Coalition to pursue options for a Community Choice Aggregation or CCA program in the city.
Sue Hughes-Smith of the Rochester People's Climate Coalition says CCA programs put the control of choosing an energy supplier in local hands. By pooling demand, communities can possibly negotiate lower rates or choose cleaner energies.
“We envision a plan that brings low cost renewable energy to all residents and small businesses, and that over the long term will be used to develop more local solar production and increased energy efficiency."
CCA programs are considered green options because communities may elect to provide a 100% renewable energy product as their default supply mix, depending on local needs and priorities.