Initiative may create more Boston green jobs

Posted on July 2, 2018

New projects may create more Boston green jobs.

The city announced plans to issue a Request for Information (RFI) for competitive pricing of large-scale renewable energy projects. The RFI will compile the energy demand data across participating U.S. cities and ask renewable energy developers for price estimates for projects that would meet their collective energy demand. Mayor Walsh today calls on more cities to join the renewable energy initiative and will lead a coalition of cities that provide their energy demand data in the RFI.

“Our effort on renewable energy will not only help cities cut carbon emissions and get us closer to the goals of Paris Climate Agreement, it will help power our cities and create more, clean energy jobs,” said Mayor Walsh. “We can do more than just address the problem of climate change, we can build a healthy, thriving future by working together.”

The City of Boston is working with partner cities now to compile the collective energy load data for the RFI. The first cities to join the initiative include Chicago, IL; Evanston, IL; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL; and Portland, OR. Each of these cities are part of the Climate Mayors network, representing more than 400 cities and 70 million people that Mayor Walsh Co-Chairs.

“Cities wield the power to create demand and transform the energy market – and when we act together, we can show the world that environmental stewardship and economic prosperity go hand in hand,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “As a chair of Climate Mayors, I’m proud to stand beside Mayor Walsh in the work of amplifying the role of cities and upholding the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.”

“I’d like to thank Mayors Garcetti, Emanuel, Hagerty, Turner, Dyer, and Wheeler for joining me on this initiative,” said Mayor Walsh. “I look forward to working with other Climate Mayors in our network and beyond to keep the momentum going and demonstrating our role as city leaders to put forth real solutions.”

“Cities that invest in renewable energy are making the responsible choice for our global future and bringing our significant purchasing power to bear in the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler of Portland, OR.