Top Ten U.S. Cities Using Renewable Energy

Which of the largest 50 U.S. cities provide citizens with the highest percentage of power produced from renewable energy? SustainLane Government determined the percentage of each city's electricity that comes from renewables.

1 minute read

April 17, 2007, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"The leading cities in renewable energy could have an advantage in any upcoming federal or state regulations aimed at regulating or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions or developing renewable energy standards. If the greenhouse gases that cause climate change get priced, cities with strong renewable energy programs could save a lot of money in the long run and their economies could gain a tax advantage."

"Oakland, California led the nation with 17 percent of its electricity being produced by energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. Oakland gets some of its wind energy power from one of the largest wind power generating facilities in the nation at nearby Altamont Pass.

"San Francisco, Sacramento and San Jose tied for second with 12 percent of their electricity coming from renewable energy sources."

"Some U.S. cities have also set goals for increasing renewable energy ranging from Chicago's 20 percent goal by 2010, to Portland, Oregon's goal of obtaining 100 percent renewable energy by 2010."

"Other cities, such as Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon have leading residential and business green choice programs as part of city-owned utility service offerings."

Thanks to Abendigo Reebs

Monday, April 16, 2007 in SustainLane Government

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of front of blue locomotive with Amtrak logo.

What the US Intercity Rail System Could Look Like

An FRA study shows how new Amtrak lines could connect tens of millions more Americans to rail travel.

January 30, 2025 - Fast Company

View up at US Department of Housing and Urban Development building in Washington, D.C.

National Housing Group Criticizes Executive Orders

The National Low Income Housing Coalition issued a statement charging that Trump’s executive orders would worsen the housing crisis.

January 27, 2025 - National Low Income Housing Coalition

Amtrak train with downtown Seattle in background.

Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record

The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

February 2, 2025 - Daily Hive

Two bicycles in apartment building stairwell landing with white painted brick walls.

Single-Stair Reform Gains Strength

The movement to legalize single-stair multi-story buildings is gathering momentum, with the typology offering a more efficient, flexible, and healthy way to build housing.

17 minutes ago - Greater Greater Washington

Multiple MBTA buses parked in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Boston Bus Signal Priority Project Yields Faster Travel Times

The city now plans to expand a year-long pilot project that reduced the time buses waited at traffic signals.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

Colorful five-story condo buildings with retail on ground floor in Gresham, Oregon.

Condos, a Key Source of Affordable Housing for Homeowners, Are in Jeopardy

Decades of increasing costs and deferred maintenance could lead to people losing their homes unless changes are made.

February 5 - Shelterforce Magazine