Ready for 100 Ohio conference charts path to clean energy

When the Ready for 100 campaign launched in Ohio in 2017, no cities were committed to 100% renewable energy. Now we have commitments from Cleveland, Cincinnati, Lakewood, South Euclid, and most recently Dayton, as well as Community Choice Aggregation for 100% renewable energy initiatives in Worthington, Columbus, and Grove City. Dozens of new clean energy projects are being proposed in Ohio, and city leaders across the state are taking note.

As more and more Ohio cities look toward moving to 100% renewable, Ready for 100 Ohio convened its Clean Energy for All Ohio Conference on Friday-Saturday, June 25-26, for which Simply Living was a cosponsor.

On Friday, June 25, a panel of city leaders from discussed how they are moving their cities to 100% renewable energy. From community choice aggregation to working to municipal utilities to building regional coalitions, attendees learned how Ohio cities are moving forward with clean energy despite a hostile legislature. Speakers included:

Erin Beck, Deputy Assistant Director, Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus
Councilmember Emmanuel Remy, City of Columbus
Kristian Fenner, Assistant Administrator, Columbus Division of Power
Tom Bullock, Northeast Ohio Local Governments Clean Energy Caucus, Lakewood City Councilmember

On Saturday, June 26, participants learned how to run Ready for 100 campaigns in their own cities and towns. Sessions included:

Centering Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Climate disparities in public health
The Ready for 100 Accountability Framework
How volunteers have moved their cities to 100% renewable energy

The conference was geared toward Ohio citizens and volunteers who want to get their city on board with 100% renewable energy, or if their city is already on board, to make sure their city puts the plans in place to make it happen. Below are links and resources shared throughout the event.