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This study explores the factors that enable cities to navigate renewable energy (RE) transitions despite limited state support, using a qualitative case study of 13 Florida cities committed to 100 % RE goals. Adapting the Transition Management framework to the U.S. federalist context, we find that local actors overcome state regime barriers through polycentric governance. Local governments leverage their policymaking autonomy and dedicated sustainability offices to institutionalize RE efforts and implement local policy changes to support RE. Nonprofits not only act as advocates and information providers, but also serve as consultants to shape local policies and lead regional collaboration to secure external funding for RE, filling the gap left by the absence of state support. Additionally, local governments, utilities and nonprofits utilize diverse financing mechanisms for RE projects and choose RE and complementary technologies based on local financial and technical capacities. Energy justice principles are embedded in local programs and policymaking processes to promote distributional and procedural justice, and some of these efforts are driven by federal policies or non-state actors. These findings offer valuable insights into sustainable and equitable RE transitions, demonstrating the potential for local action to drive substantial progress, even in the absence of state-level support.