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Renewable Energy Solutions By harnessing natural sources of energy like the sun and the wind, renewable ener- gy sources can replace our reliance on outdated, polluting power plants that rely on fossil fuels. Today's solar panels efficiently transform sun- light into electricity while blending into the design of homes and office buildings. Modern wind mrbines rise high above the ground, cap- turing the strongest winds (Q produce reliable electricity. Currently, dirty fossil fuel power plants account for over a third of the nation's total global warming emissions. Meeting our energy needs with clean, renewable energy can move the country towarcL~ a brighter, cleaner, and cheaper energy future. Cities around the country are discovering that investing in innovative renewable energy sources reduces global warming pollutiOl'i and creates a reliable soW'ce of clean, homegrown electricity. Solution #1-Renewable Energy Standards A renewable energy standard requires an increase in the percentage of electricity from dean, renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar power) in a ciry or utility area by a spe- cific target date. These standards are phased in over time so that renewable energy capaciry can be built and incorporated into the necessary energy management and reliability plans. For instance, a 20 percent Renewable Energy Standard could be phased in over ten years, requiring an additional 2 percent of electricity generation to come from renewable sources each year. Cities that operate municipal utilities have been able to set renewable energy standards for their communiry-owned urilities. Solution #2-Solar and Wind Installations Some cities are moving forward by fmanc- ing the construction of renewable energy proj- ects themselves. In some cases, cities are work- ing with local municipal utilities to construct wind turbines. In other cases, cities are work- ing with privately owned utilities and renew- able energy developers ro construct solar arrays on ciry buildings, schools, and homes. Solution #3-City Utility Contracts Some cities are incorporating renewable energy reguiremenrs into their contract renewals with privately owned local utilities. For example, Denver, Colorado is working with its local utility, Xed Energy, to establish modest renewable energy goals as pan of the , , city s contract. Clean Energy, Good Jobs-Clean energy invest- ments not only save taxpayer doHars alld protect the environment, they also create good jobs for the future. One example is the rooftop solar panels powerillg Northeastern Ulliversity's Eli Student Center ill Boston. 8A Cool CITIES~~'ge 26 :~ ::; ;!o i~ ~ 8 co ~ ~ 2 ~ 5