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Last week, Las Vegas reached its decade-long goal of completely powering the city with renewable energy, making it the largest city in the United States to do so.
“Las Vegas is one of the few cities in the entire world that can boast using all of its power from green sources,” Mayor Carolyn Goodman told reporters at city hall last Monday.
The city reached the goal thanks to the opening of Boulder Solar 1, a 100-megawatt solar plant located near Boulder City. Now, the city’s government buildings, streetlights, and parks are fueled the renewable energy.
Since the city began working on the project in 2008, they’ve reduced energy emissions by 30 percent, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. They’ve also inspired several casinos— MGM Resorts, Wynn, and Las Vegas Sands—to announce plans to utilize more renewable energy sources.
Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in NevadaShow all 12 1 /12Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada US President Barack Obama speaks on his energy policies following a tour of the Copper Mountain Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic plant operating in the country, March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada BOULDER CITY, NV - MARCH 21: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) tours Sempra U.S. Gas & Powerâs Copper Mountain Solar complex on March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada The president went on to speak about energy policy in Boulder City as part of a multi-state tour. The Copper Mountain solar facility is the largest operating photovoltaic plant operating in the country. (Photo by Jessica Ebelhar-Pool/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada US President Barack Obama walks up the steps of Air Force One on March 21, 2012 at Andrew Air Force Base, Maryland. Obama is traveling to Boulder City, Nevada. Photo by Olivier Douliery/ABACAUSA.com
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada US President Barack Obama speaks on his energy policies following a tour of the Copper Mountain Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic plant operating in the country, March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada BOULDER CITY, NV - MARCH 21: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's Copper Mountain Solar 1 facility, the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the United States on March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. Obama is on a four-state tour promoting his energy policies. The Copper Mountain solar facility is the largest operating photovoltaic plant operating in the country. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada BOULDER CITY, NV - MARCH 21: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (R) laughs with Jeffrey Martin, CEO, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power (L), while touring Sempra U.S. Gas & Power?s Copper Mountain Solar complex on March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. The president went on to speak about energy policy in Boulder City as part of a multi-state tour. The Copper Mountain solar facility is the largest operating photovoltaic plant operating in the country. (Photo by Jessica Ebelhar-Pool/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada US President Barack Obama (C) tours the Copper Mountain Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic plant operating in the country, March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada BOULDER CITY, NV - MARCH 21: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (L) , tours Sempra U.S. Gas & Powerâs Copper Mountain Solar complex with Kevin Gillespie, Operations, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power on March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. The president went on to speak about energy policy in Boulder City as part of a multi-state tour. The Copper Mountain solar facility is the largest operating photovoltaic plant operating in the country. (Photo by Jessica Ebelhar-Pool/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada US President Barack Obama speaks on his energy policies following a tour of the Copper Mountain Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic plant operating in the country, March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada BOULDER CITY, NV - MARCH 21: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd R), tours Sempra U.S. Gas & Powerâs Copper Mountain Solar complex with, John Sowers, Operations, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power (L), Jeffrey Martin, CEO, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power (2nd L), and Kevin Gillespie, Operations, Sempra U.S. Gas & Power on March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada The president went on to speak about energy policy in Boulder City as part of a multi-state tour. The Copper Mountain solar facility is the largest operating photovoltaic plant operating in the country. (Photo by Jessica Ebelhar-Pool/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 21: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama departs Air Force One at McCarran International Airport on March 21, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The president went on to speak about energy policy in Boulder City as part of a multi-state tour. The Copper Mountain solar facility is the largest operating photovoltaic plant operating in the country. (Jerry Henkel-Pool/Getty Images)
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Obama visits America's largest photovoltaic plant in Nevada U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's Copper Mountain Solar 1 facility, the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the United States on March 21, 2012 in Boulder City, Nevada. Obama is on a four-state tour promoting his energy policies.
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The city invested more than $40 million in the project over the years. They’ve since installed solar panels on city buildings and have saved at least $5 million on energy each year. By the end of 2017, the city plans on receiving power from the Hoover Dam for the first time in history.