Phoenixville Becomes 1st PA Municipality To Commit To 100 Percent Clean Energy

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville became the first municipality in Pennsylvania to commit to 100 percent clean energy during a borough council meeting on Tuesday night.

The measure, which was unanimously passed by the council, commits the borough to transitioning to clean and renewable energy only by 2035.

Phoenixville is the 44th municipality in the nation to make the commitment.

The Sierra Club, a national environmental nonprofit, worked with several local groups in Phoenixville to help pass the measure, including The Way Forward and the Phoenixville Green Team.

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

The resolution passed on Tuesday calls for the borough to seek out renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and small scale hydro power.

The measure is part of the Sierra Club's Ready for 100 campaign, which advocates for similar measures across the state and around the country. According to Sierra Club organizers, there is support in other Chester County municipalities to follow in Phoenixville's wake. Mayor Jordan Norley of West Chester and Mayor Josh Maxwell of Downingtown have both expressed support for their boroughs to adopt similar resolutions.

"Phoenixville is proving that local community action is the way forward in creating global environmental and energy sustainability solutions,” Phoenixville Green Team President Mark J. Connolly said.

The text of the resolution is included below:

• That Phoenixville join other leading towns and cities in the national movement to transition to 100% clean and renewable energy, and complete this transition for electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heat and transportation by 2050;
• That Council direct staff to report back in 2018 with recommended interim milestones and implementation strategies to achieve the renewable energy targets;That clean renewable energy be defined as carbon-free and pollution-free energy generated sustainably from renewable sources such as wind, solar, small hydro, tidal and geothermal;
• That locally produced and distributed energy is prioritized whenever feasible for the many advantages it provides to the community;
• That staff report back annually to Council on the progress of achieving the interim milestones and targets and associated work plans.

Image via Sierra Club