FARGO (AP) - City Commissioners have approved ballot language for a proposal requiring that at least 20 percent of the electricity sold in the city come from wind and other renewable energy sources by the year 2020.

Members of Fargo's 20-20 initiative say North Dakota is the top producer of wind in the country and that more electricity should be produced by wind and other forms of renewable energy.

The proposal also requires that at least 30 percent of the electricity sold in the city come from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Mayor Dennis Walaker said he does not like mandates. "The goal is amazing. I think the goal is wonderful," he told supporters of the idea. "Do you guys then feel the goal is unattainable if we don't do it this way?"

Dean Hulse, a backer of the initiative, said a mandate is an authorization to act, "and that's what we're doing."

Fargo residents are to vote on the measure in November.

A similar measure is proposed in Grand Forks, but sponsors have had problems with the wording of their petitions. City Council members asked the city attorney Monday to help fix the problems so the council could vote next month on whether to put the question on the ballot.

The group Citizens for Affordable Renewable Energy had collected 4,108 signatures, more than enough to get the measure on the ballot in Grand Forks. City Council President Hal Gershman said he and the rest of the council understood the intent.

Utilities have said they are working toward greater use of wind energy but do not want to be tied down by a legal mandate.