Our Story
Milestones of Our Movement
April 2018
Candidate Forum for Environmental Issues
The coalition group for climate justice 100% Athens (Environment Georgia, Georgia Climate Change Coalition, Athens for Everyone and Athens residents) hosted a forum on environmental issues attended local Athens candidates running for office. These included Kelly Girtz, Melissa Link, Ovita Thornton, Tim Denson, Patrick Davenport and Russell Edwards, each of whom publicly supported a 100% clean and renewable energy goal in Athens.
September 2018
Rise for Climate Athens! Event Secures Support of Community & Local Officials
In September 2018, participating in the global action Rise for Climate!, 100% Athens hosted a community event at the West Broad Farmer's Market. At this event, local officials, commissioners, the Mayor elect Kelly Girtz, state Representatives and various organization representatives made a public pledge to commit to the vision of 100% Renewable Energy in Athens by 2035. This sparked the local movement in Athens-Clarke County that continues to grow today.
December 2018
Town Hall Conversation on Clean Energy
100% Athens' steering committee joined forces with Environment Georgia and Sierra Club to hold a town hall meeting with Athens residents and officials to present our vision, mission and goals. These were well received and community support continually grows as we maintain our outreach activities through participation in community conversations, educational presentations & lectures, sustainability events, group meetings and local media engagements. 100% Athens also launched a petition for the county to pass a just and equitable clean and renewable energy resolution.
February 2019
Mayor Commits to 100% Clean Energy
On February 4th, 2019, members of 100% Athens attended a meeting with Mayor Kelly Girtz which resulted in his signing Sierra Club's Mayor's Pledge to 100% Clean and Renewable Energy, joining hundreds of other mayors around the country.
July 2019
100% Athens' Renewable Energy Project #11 Selected for Final SPLOST List
The Mayor & Commission voted to include 100% Athens' Renewable Energy Project (#11) onto a final slate of projects potentially funded by a SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax), which would be voted on in a public referendum in November 2019.
May 2019
100% Clean and Renewable Energy Resolution Passes
100% Athens, the Mayor & Commission, the City Office of the Manager and the Athens-Clarke County Sustainability Office collaborated to craft a forma clean energy resolution, which was passed in a unanimous vote by the Mayor & Commission on May 21, 2019.
November 2019
SPLOST Referendum Votes YES to 100% Athens' Renewable Energy Project
On November 5, 2019, the residents of Athens-Clarke County voted YES to a SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) referendum to pass a slate of projects that included 100% Athens' shortlisted Renewable Energy Project (Project #11). This secured $15.8 million dollars of initial investment towards the realization of 100% Athens' vision.