Tredyffrin Targets 100% Renewable Energy

TREDYFFRIN, PA — The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to commit to 100 percent clean energy during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday night. The vote of 6 to 1 was met with thunderous applause from the audience. By passing the resolution, which was brought forward by the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), Tredyffrin joins ten other boroughs and townships in Chester County currently developing plans to transition away from fossil fuels.

The resolution aims for Tredyffrin to move to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and in all energy sectors by 2050. This is in accordance with the 2018 United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report describing what is needed to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Specifically, all countries need to cut their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by midcentury.

EAC members emphasized the importance of establishing baseline information, creating interim milestones, and obtaining budget estimates and financing mechanisms to help the entire community participate in the transition.

Tredyffrin joins a growing group of Pennsylvania communities – over 20 – and becomes the 134th community in the U.S. to commit to ambitious goals to address the threats to residents’ health and property brought by the use of fossil fuels. Nine states, including New York, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, and California, and 11 additional counties across the country, have made similar commitments. In 2016, less than 2% of people in the US lived in a community with such a commitment. Today,1 in 4 people in the US live in a place committed to 100% clean energy.

Several Supervisors highlighted the urgency of action. “This is no game. This is a serious subject. Whenever we make a decision, I will be thinking about this resolution and these goals. These are goals I believe we can achieve, that we have to achieve,” said Supervisor Mark Freed. Tredyffrin resident Scott Laird commented that we need a “wartime” effort to meet this challenge.

“[The resolution] doesn’t mean we need to change everything all at once,” commented Supervisor Julie Gosse. “But having a plan and following through shows we are serious. This is the first of many steps.” EAC member Rutger Boerema pointed out that Tredyffrin Township has already demonstrated its commitment to cleaner energy. “We participated in the Delaware Regional Planning Commission program to install highly efficient LED streetlights, saving both energy and money.”

There was agreement that cooperation with neighboring townships was essential, both to achieve the goals and to find cost-effective ways to do so. “The more [townships] that sign on, the more purchasing power we have. We can make cooperative decisions. By working together, we can get there,” said Supervisor Gosse.