Mayor Rex Parris at the NetZero Energy Conference

Rex Parris, Mayor of Lancaster, California is leading the charge for Lancaster to become the first net-zero city in the world, starting with a mandate that every new single-family home constructed in the city has solar energy.

Our ultimate goal is to become the first net-zero city in the world, and we’re well on our way. 26 percent of the electrical needs of the city are now solar. We will be at 50 percent by June of this year. This initial ordinance is just that, an initial ordinance. I’ve learned not to try to move the ship of the state with one turn of the wheel. This year, we’ll be adding to that.” — Mayor Rex Parris.

Watch Rex Parris’ talk, given at the NetZero Energy Conference in 2013.