Quote Sheet: GM Commits to 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2050

GM is pledging to meet its electricity needs at all of its global operations with renewable energy – such as wind, sun and landfill gas – by 2050. Here’s what GM employees and third parties had to say about the plan.
 

• “From reducing fluctuating energy costs to providing energy security – going 100% renewable makes clear economic sense. We hope that through GM’s leadership, other heavy manufacturing companies will be inspired to make the switch too. Business needs to remain active and engaged as we transition to a clean economy, a critical factor to help keep global warming well under two degrees and ensure a prosperous future for us all.” – Amy Davidsen, US Executive Director, The Climate Group
   
• “We are thrilled to learn about GM's commitment to 100 percent renewable energy use by 2050. This visionary commitment by an auto industry leader makes a loud statement about the shift in America's economy toward clean energy. Particularly notable is the millions of dollars GM has already saved by investing in solar and other renewables. We look forward to supporting GM with solar power as it continues its march toward 100 percent.” – Tom Kimbis, Interim President, Solar Energy Industries Association
   
• “GM’s pledge to use 100 percent renewable electricity is nothing short of remarkable. As the auto industry moves toward a global transformation from oil to electricity, this pledge is a clear indication of GM’s vision of a cleaner, safer and more affordable energy future.” – Hervé Touati, Managing Director of Business Renewables Center
   
• "While we commend all of the companies who have joined RE100, those, like General Motors, who have boldly given themselves a deadline for achieving this goal and who can articulate a plan to get there are providing the kind of leadership we need to see across the corporate landscape. More importantly, they are demonstrating, unequivocally, that clean energy and fiscal prudence are 100 percent compatible." – Mindy Lubber, president, Ceres
   
• “This pursuit of renewable energy benefits our customers and communities through cleaner air while strengthening our business through lower and more stable energy costs.”  – GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra
   
• “Driving toward a complete reliance on renewable energy for all our global operations is a perfect complement to our electric vehicle strategy. The cleaner the grid, the cleaner our vehicles are to produce and to drive. And one day plug-in electric vehicles can be used to help manage the intermittency of wind and solar energy on the grid.” – Britta Gross, GM director of advanced vehicle commercialization policy
   
• “This commitment, along with a pursuit of electrified vehicles and responsible manufacturing, is part of our approach to addressing climate change.  We have a vision to decarbonize the auto industry and ensure our vehicles operate in the cleanest way possible.” – Rob Threlkeld, GM manager of renewable energy