RPU moves toward 100 percent renewable energy

Rochester has a path toward drastically reducing its use of fossil fuels.

On Tuesday, the Rochester Public Utilities Board advanced a pair of scenarios that call for using 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. It may be among the first plans of its kind to be adopted by a municipal utility.

The goal is for RPU to meet all of its energy needs through 100 percent renewable energy sources with the renaming capacity requirements from either a new 220 megawatt natural gas powered facility or battery storage.

Based on the scenarios presented Tuesday, officials believe the cost of converting to renewables would be minimal — around a one percent increase — to RPU’s 55,000 electric customers.

Wind and solar would be key sources of energy.

The decision by the utility board follows a proclamation that former Mayor Ardell Brede made back in 2015 to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2031. Mayor Kim Norton has pledged to honor that goal.

The resource plan will come before the city council on August 12.

You can view the full presentation online.

Cover photo: Stock / via Unsplash