West Chester Becomes 2nd PA Municipality To Commit To Clean Energy

WEST CHESTER, PA — The Borough of West Chester, following Phoenixville's example, became the second municipality in Pennsylvania to commit to 100 percent clean energy during a borough council meeting on Wednesday night.

West Chester became the 45th municipality in the United States to pass the measure.

“West Chester Borough has a long record of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare for the impacts of climate change, and now we are ready to do much more,” West Chester Mayor Jordan C. Norley said in a statement. “The actions we will take to conserve energy and transition to renewable energy will also bring a multitude of benefits to our residents, economy, and environment.”

Steered by the Sierra Club, Phoenixville passed a similar measure on Sept. 12.

The resolution passed in West Chester calls for the borough to gain all their municipal energy from renewable sources like solar, wind, and small scale hydro power by 2035.

It's part of the Sierra Club's Ready for 100 campaign, which had advocated for similar measures around the country.

According to Sierra Club organizers, there is support in other Chester County municipalities. Mayor Josh Maxwell of Downingtown has expressed interest in following West Chester and Phoenixville.

“The people of West Chester have said loud and clear they want clean energy, because we care about our health, sustainable jobs, and our children’s future,” said Dianne Herrin, a mayoral candidate in the borough and Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee, which presented the resolution. “Here in West Chester, we are doing our part to shift the national tide toward a clean and livable future.”

Images via Sierra Club