3 American cities that use 100% renewable energy — and 7 that plan to join them within 20 years

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Despite the gains we've made in renewable energy, Americans' reliance on fossil fuels seems hard to escape. But some cities are leading the way.

The environmental group Sierra Club compiled a list of some of the US cities that are on track to becoming 100% powered by renewable energy in the next 20 years — including some that are already there.

The group defined renewable energy as "carbon- and pollution-free energy collected from renewable, sustainably harvested sources, such as wind, solar, hydro, tidal, and geothermal, as well as energy efficiency.

"Our definition does not include natural gas, nuclear, or any carbon-based energy source."

Here are the 10 cities that are committed to pulling it off:

San Diego, California

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San Diego may be the furthest on this list from reaching its sustainability goal, though it's also the largest city on the list. Among its goals, San Diego hopes to get 90% of its vehicles running on electricity.

Population: 1.37 million

100% renewable status: By 2035

Rochester, Minnesota

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In the next 15 years, the Minnesota city that's home to the Mayo Clinic aims to go 100% renewable, which will be no small feat. It's still figuring out what the best way to power the city will be.

Population: 100,000

100% renewable status achieved: By 2031

San Francisco, California

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The densely populated city aims to be 100% renewable in the next 15 years by encouraging investment in clean energy sources as well as pushing for reductions in energy usage around the city.

Population: 864,000

100% renewable status: By 2030

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