Another climate victory for PA!

The Phoenixville city council unanimously voted to transition to 100% renewable electricity (wind, solar and small-scale hydro) by 2035 on Tuesday night. This is a huge deal because it’s the first municipality in PA and the 44th municipality in the USA to commit to clean energy. 20 local residents and activists testified to support the measure.

Mayor Kenney signed onto Mayors for 100% Clean Energy in June but city council has yet to sign onto the measure (making something official).

Although the Mayor of Phoenixville Michael Speck endorsed a 100 percent renewable energy vision, other boroughs including West Chester and Downingtown have said the same.

Carol Armstrong, Steering Committee Facilitator of The Way Forward, a group of Phoenixville sustainability activists, said: “Farmers, gardeners, landowners, and other land stewards are noticing how climate change is affecting their lives and work. Phoenixville borough has taken action and can provide leadership to the surrounding communities to look for ways to switch to renewable energy.”

The Sierra Club is the environmental non-profit helping to facilitate the commitments. As Sierra Club Volunteer Jim Wylie said, “Sierra Club is working with several communities in Chester County that want to set aggressive and achievable goals to transition to 100% clean renewable energy. Regional collaboration, leadership and stakeholder involvement is what we need to keep us on a path to a clean energy future.”

Go Chester County Go!

Photo: Peggy Hartzell

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher