Commitment to Renewable Energy: The City of Columbus is taking proactive steps to mitigate its environmental impact and combat climate change. In a landmark decision in 2020, residents approved a citywide ballot measure, paving the way for Columbus to adopt an electricity aggregation plan aimed at sourcing 100% of its energy from renewable sources by the beginning of 2023. Partnering with AEP Energy, the city plans to bolster its renewable energy portfolio by constructing new wind and solar farms within Ohio, significantly reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Addressing Pollution Hotspots: Identifying and addressing key sources of pollution is a top priority for Columbus. As of 2019, major contributors to air and environmental pollution include Ohio State University's McCracken Power Plant, the landfill managed by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), and the Anheuser-Busch Columbus Brewery. To tackle these challenges, Anheuser-Busch has committed to reducing emissions by 25% by 2025, while Ohio State University intends to construct a new heat and power plant designed to slash emissions by approximately 30%. SWACO has implemented measures to capture 75% of methane emissions for energy production and is exploring further initiatives to further reduce emissions.

Sustainable Future Ahead: With its ambitious renewable energy plan and efforts to address pollution sources head-on, Columbus is charting a course towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. By embracing renewable energy sources and adopting innovative strategies to combat pollution, the city is poised to lead the way in environmental stewardship, setting an example for communities nationwide.