Becomes the second county in Georgia to adopt a plan to reach clean energy goals.
DEKALB COUNTY – The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has unanimously voted to adopt the “DeKalb County 100% Clean Energy and Transportation Transition Plan” conducted by the Southface Institute, and their project partners Energetics, IB Environmental, Cherry Street Energy, and Clean Cities Georgia.
In 2021, Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry introduced a resolution for “a Vison and Transition Plan of 100% Clean Energy and Clean Transportation powering the County’s needs by 2050.” The Board of Commissioners approved this resolution and set the goal of 100% renewable energy in all energy-use sectors, including transportation, by 2050. Adopting the finalized Plan, that will act as a roadmap, is the first step in achieving this goal.
The resolution to adopt the DeKalb County 100% Clean Energy and Transportation Transition Plan emphasizes environmental, social, and economic benefits, citing the importance of mitigating the County’s impact on climate change, the opportunity to redress historical inequities through a renewable energy transition, and the potential for energy cost savings. It is estimated the County could reduce operating costs by nearly $1 million annually through the implementation of clean energy strategies.
“Sustainability and ‘going green’ is foundationally about improving our environment – cleaner air, purer water, and a healthier quality of life for everyone,” said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “But going green is also about saving ‘green’. We can save the earth and save money. In fact, it is the responsible thing we must do, both fiscally and for the health and safety of DeKalb County residents.”
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was also present to highlight the County’s history of leadership in sustainability, noting key achievements such as its Gold Level recognition in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Program and being one of the few counties in Georgia where voters approved the earmarking of SPLOST funds towards “Renewable Energy Projects”. She also announced that DeKalb County will, in the near future, be putting out an RFP or RFQ for solar energy efficiency, stating, “That has been a long time coming.”