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Seattle Leaders Champion Energy 2030 Goal at City Hall

Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Mayor Mike McGinn joined energy leaders from across the country today at City Hall to bring the Energy 2030 vision of doubling U.S. energy productivity by 2030  to Seattle.

Hosted by Seattle City Light and the Alliance to Save Energy, Seattle marks the second city of Energy 2030 On the Road’s across-the-nation tour making the case to state and local leaders that they can spark the energy productivity movement. And Gov. Inslee agrees.

“Our goal of doubling energy productivity by 2030 has got to be understood as the place to start,” Inslee said.

Supported by President Obama in his State of the Union, 2014 budget, and recent Climate Action Plan, doubling U.S. energy productivity by 2030 would save American families and businesses $327 billion a year, add 1.3 million jobs, and cut carbon emissions 33 percent.

As a key figure in crafting the Energy 2030 plan, Seattle City Light superintendent Jorge Carrasco already sees his city being a trailblazer of the goal.

“We believe in energy efficiency. We’ve been doing it for a long time and we’ve been very successful at it,” Carrasco said. “We think that’s the formula for success for our business and many other businesses.”

Though Washington state and Seattle are already leading the country in energy efficiency, Mayor McGinn sees doubling energy productivity as a key to continuing strong economic growth in Seattle. 

“We’ve been reducing per capita energy consumption and experiencing tremendous economic growth. The two are not tied together at all,” said McGinn.

Impressed by the passion for energy efficiency, Alliance President Kateri Callahan sees Seattle as a model the rest of America can follow.

“Everything is right here in Seattle — the local leadership, the commitment to innovation, and the knowledge of what energy productivity can accomplish. Seattle is showing us how it can be done,” Callahan said.

Sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light and Snohomish County PUD, Energy 2030 on the Road also featured panel discussions on the key recommendations with Opower President and Founder Alex Laskey and American Public Transportation Association President Michael Melaniphy.

After stops in Chicago and Seattle, the Energy 2030 on the Road tour will continue later this fall.

 

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of business, government, and  environmental leaders who promote the efficient use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy and national security.