Rochester considers delaying clean energy goal

The city of Rochester set an ambitious goal to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. But higher than expected costs are leading local officials to consider whether they may need to move that post.

Brian Ross from the Great Plains Institute said several changes by the Trump administration are creating an uncertain situation for cities like Rochester trying to move toward cleaner energy sources.

These include the scaling down or elimination of certain incentives established in the Infrastructure Reduction Act, creation of new barriers to the deployment of renewable energy, and tariffs that “are raising the cost of pretty much all energy infrastructure.”

Now, Rochester Public Utilities is asking residents to weigh in on whether they would like to stay the course — and face a higher rate hike of 6 percent — or delay the goal to 2040 with a rate hike of 4 percent.

For more on this conversation, click play on the audio player above.

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