Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
UWCHLAN SETS RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET
UWCHLAN >> Uwchlan supervisors Monday night unanimously endorsed a transition to 100 percent renewable energy in line with international and national commitments to head off a worsening climate crisis.
Despite the falling snow, residents came out to show their support for this decision and expressed gratitude for the vision and leadership of the Board of Supervisors both in trying to reduce the immediate dangers of expanding pipelines and to prevent the impact of extreme weather due to climate disruption resulting from carbon and methane emissions.
The resolution calls for the development of an energy transition plan to be prepared for review by April 22, 2020 (Earth Day) which will include interim milestones, financial impacts, equity metrics, potential financing mechanisms and the percentage of clean energy to be locally produced.
Uwchlan’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) recommended the Board consider the resolution after consulting other communities who passed similar energy management targets both within the county and elsewhere.
More than 100 cities and municipalities across the nation and in Southeastern PA have pledged to achieve 100 percent renewable energy. Six communities have already achieved the goal of 100 percent renewable electricity, including Burlington, VT, Georgetown TX and Greensburg, Kansas.
The Supervisors noted that momentum is building in Pennsylvania for a renewable energy future. Uwchlan joins Kennett Township, Downingtown, West Chester, East Bradford and Phoenixville in Chester County in setting specific targets for 100 percent clean and renewable energy community-wide. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are actively involved, as our municipalities in Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks Counties.
EAC member Alexa Manning pointed out the importance of collaboration and cooperation among municipalities to tackle the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our safety and our essential natural resources. “These goals may seem daunting,” she said, “but there are now many examples of clean energy “toolkits” developed in other municipalities, counties and states. We are not alone and we can build on the positive successes already underway in other municipalities. We have what it takes to achieve these goals.”
The Board of Supervisors put this action in the context of their residents’ on-going concerns for the health and safety risks posed by fossil fuels, particularly related to Sunoco’s pipelines.
Representative Danielle Friel Otten (District 155) remarked “in Uwchlan Township, we are highly motivated by our own experiences with Mariner East. But, we are not the only frontline community. We are one of many across the commonwealth. In Washington Township, I met mothers who cannot open their windows because their children break out in rashes and their noses bleed. In Braddock, folks who live in the shadow of the Clairton Coke Works are under an air quality advisory until MAY. They are advised not to leave their homes because their air quality is so bad. We are connected by this issue across the state and it will take all of us to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and polluters to
“We understand that a just transition towards clean energy will improve our children’s health, save money and benefit everyone.”
demand that the health, welfare and safety of our families are put first.”
The Uwchlan resolution cited the adverse environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels, especially on children. Chester County received “D”s and “F”s in the American Lung Association’s most recent “report card” on air quality.
Another EAC member, Carrie Gross, observed that “Uwchlan is now the sixth township in Chester County to show itself to be a leader in committing to a safer energy system for Pennsylvania. We understand that a just transition towards clean energy will improve our children’s health, save money and benefit everyone. Small communities like ours are ready to work together to protect our quality of life.”
Representative Danielle Friel Otten also affirmed the importance of local initiatives to build momentum and the political will required to transition away from pollution fossil fuels.
“As your State Representative,” she told the Supervisors, “I applaud you and all of the community members who have brought this resolution to fruition. If we are to achieve the aspirational goals put forward, it is going to take a public mandate. We need every municipality
—Carrie Gross, EAC member