Las Vegas City Government Runs Entirely on Clean Energy
Las Vegas has achieved a significant sustainability milestone: its city government now operates entirely on renewable energy. The transition, which took effect on December 12, was made possible by the activation of the Boulder Solar 1 array, a large solar facility that supplies carbon-free electricity to power all municipal buildings, facilities, and streetlights. The city's energy mix also includes hydroelectric power from the Hoover Dam, according to a report by Quartz.
The move caps a nearly decade-long effort by city officials to shift away from fossil fuels. A key step came last year when Las Vegas signed an agreement with NV Energy, the local utility, to source clean energy for its main facilities. The financial impact is notable: the switch is projected to save the city roughly $5 million annually in energy costs, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman hailed the achievement, calling Las Vegas a “world leader in sustainability.” While the city's progress is indeed pioneering, it is not alone in the push for green energy. Burlington, Vermont, was the first U.S. city to transition entirely to renewable sources, using a combination of hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. In 2015, Aspen, Colorado, also achieved 100% renewable energy for its municipal operations. Major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix have publicly committed to similar goals, emphasizing that the cost of prevention is far lower than the cost of inaction.
Global Momentum for Renewable Energy
Beyond U.S. borders, other nations are making strides. The United Kingdom has pledged to close its eight remaining coal-fired power plants by 2025, replacing them with renewable sources. Spain already generates enough wind energy to power millions of homes daily and is optimistic about wind power meeting its entire energy demand. Costa Rica has demonstrated that a whole country can run on renewables, having operated for over two months using only hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and solar power.
Las Vegas's achievement underscores a broader trend: cities and countries are increasingly viewing renewable energy as both an environmental imperative and an economically sound choice. The city's success story may serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to reduce their carbon footprint while cutting costs.
