The City Council Parks, Education, Bio-science and Sustainability Subcommittee today approved a long-term renewable energy goal recommending that 15 percent of the energy used by the city should come from renewable energy sources through city-sponsored projects by 2025.

“The city of Phoenix must take a leadership role to protect and preserve resources for our future generations,” said Councilman Greg Stanton, chairman of the City Council Parks, Education, Bio-science and Sustainability Subcommittee.

“As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, it's our responsibility to set this aggressive goal to help do our part and be an example for other municipalities, businesses and residents to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”

The city has a long-standing commitment to energy conservation. The Public Works Department has actively promoted the use of renewable energy through solar energy projects at city facilities such as the 40^th Street and Pecos Park & Ride Facility, North Mountain Visitors Center, Camp Colley, Phoenix Convention Center, Pecos Community Center and the North Gateway Transfer Station.

The Public Works Department also is planning methane gas-to-energy (landfill gas) projects at the closed 27^th Avenue and Skunk Creek landfills. Once operational, these projects will generate enough electricity to power 2,200 homes.

The Environmental Quality Commission has studied this issue for the past year. The commission worked with city staff to set an ambitious goal. To achieve this goal, the city will continue to use public-private partnerships for solar, landfill gas-to-energy and other biomass projects.

The renewable energy plan is one of more than 70 sustainability efforts of the city of Phoenix. To read the city’s sustainability report or for more information about the city’s environmental programs, visit phoenix.gov/sustainability.