Plans can vary markedly depending on the needs of the individual community.  But a plan should contain some essential sections.  Here is a list of recommended sections of a plan:

Goals: This section presents the guiding principles of a transition to a fossil-fuel-free economy in a manner that is bold, realistic, cost-effective, and fair.

Emission Inventory: Fortunately, a relatively recent (2015) emission inventory is available for every municipality in SE PA.  The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has prepared this inventory and it provides emissions and energy usage for each sector (residential, commercial and industrial, transportation, solid waste, etc.) and provides a breakdown of energy usage and emissions by fuel type.  You can generate the emission inventory  for your municipality in one easy step using this spreadsheet.  Instructions are in the yellow box.

Basic Strategies: This section provides the conceptual strategies for achieving energy conservation and energy transition necessary to achieve 100% transition to renewable energy and elimination of GHG emissions by 2050 for all sectors of the economy.  The effect of these strategies on GHG emission reduction can be calculated using the GHG Emission Reduction Calculator found HERE.

Energy Transition Plan Template: An example Energy Transition Plan template can found HERE.  This template provides a recommended structure for the plan.  It can save you a lot of work so you can concentrate on the important step in the planning process.

Stakeholders: The most important part of an energy transition plan is the formation of a dedicated group of stakeholders who will work on the plan and shepherd it through.

Initiatives: This section presents the short-term, medium-term, and long-term steps that the community will take to promote energy efficiency and a transition to renewable energy.

Measurement of Progress: Progress in implementing the initiatives and achieving the energy efficiency and energy transition should be measured annually.  These measurements should take the form of reductions in energy usage and GHG emissions, conversion to low emitting or no-emitting vehicles, electrification of buildings, and other useful measurements.

Support of Plan: The plan should lay out the on-going support for the implementation of its recommendation and plan update.

An example plan template is available HERE.

Example Plans across U.S.

• Philadelphia;
• San Bernardino, CA
• North Carolina 
• Wilkins Township -- Climate Action Plan, dated Sep 2010 
• Ann Arbor, MI -- March, 2020

 Example Plans in PA and greater Philadelphia - see PA Clean Energy/Municipal Plans

• West Chester Area – Six townships have contracted The Cadmus Group and formed an Advisory Group with representatives from each township to shepherd the development of a transition plan. The draft plan is due at the end of December.  Public presentation will take place in January.  Project page here.  Many initiatives are being evaluated and prioritized. (cost =$75k, split 6 ways by population)
  
  
• Radnor Township - Practical Energy Solutions (commissioned by Radnow Twp) presented their final Energy Transition Plan for the community on March 2, 2021. A combination of recommended strategies for meeting the township's commitment to transition to 100% clean renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for heating and transportation by 2050 can be seen in the video recording of the presentation.
  
  
• The Montco 11 – Eleven township managers that have passed RF100 resolutions have discussed issuing a joint RFP to do community energy transition planning. Since this is budget season, much of the discussion evolved into how to pay for it and how much each township would be responsible for. There was a suggestion of expanding the effort into a “Climate Action Plan” or a “Climate Mitigation Plan” which would include energy transition, the thinking being that there might be state funding available for something that uses the word “mitigation”.  Perhaps an 80/20 grant.  Montco Planning Commission and DVRPC are helping to explore that avenue. (cost = TBD, but if they get 80/20 grant it won’t be much per township)
  
  
• The Coalition for Energy Transition – a group of mostly EAC members from Cheltenham, Ambler and Jenkintown are working on developing an energy transition plan using volunteer talent (free). They are being mentored by a township manager in Hanover, NH that is about 2 years ahead of us. The most recent version of this plan can be viewed HERE.  These three townships are included in the Montco 11. (cost = free)
  
  
• Swarthmore, Lansdowne, Wallingford, Rutledge – a group of four EACs that have formed an EAC network to share, among other things, best practices for energy transition planning. They are just getting started. (cost = free)
  
  
• Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission – They are looking to form a Clean Energy Coalition. This “task force” is headed in a slightly different direction. Instead of trying to make a 30 year plan with predictions for what initiatives with have the most impact and what the energy landscape will look like in the future, they are focusing on identifying 5 or 10 initiatives (or 5 or 10 per sector) that the PRPC can jump on right now, push on what looks like real opportunities, and then reassess in a year or two.
  
  
• Philadelphia – The City of Philadelphia has been working diligently on energy planning for the last couple of years.  To view their planning documents go to https://www.phila.gov/documents/powering-our-future-a-clean-energy-vision-for-philadelphia/.
  
  
• Greater Philadelphia Climate Collaborative - https://phillyclimatecollab.com/ - This organization is new and there is not much information on it so far. Mostly for big energy users – solar PPA opportunities, etc.
  
  

Consultants can add value, provide additional perspective, and keep a steering committee on track as it develops a plan and reviews actions and initiatives.  However, many consulting firms, even ones that are nationally recognized, are often staffed by recent college graduates that do not understand the subtleties and nuances of the issues and rely on superficial analysis and emphasis on procedure and report writing in the provision of the consulting service.  If you choose to employ a consultant, look for one that exhibits deep knowledge and experience, emphasizes knowledge over process, and demonstrates a pro-active interest in engaging municipal staff and community stakeholders to deliver the transition plan.

• Villanova University: The Villanova College of Engineering has a graduate studies program in sustainable engineering.  Incorporation of energy transition planning projects in the local area could provide the student with hands on experience while furthering local energy transition efforts.
• University of Delaware: U. of Del. Staff and student are exploring ways to implement self-financing initiatives in energy conservation and surveys to identify opportunities for rooftop solar arrays.
• PennSEF: The Pennsylvania Treasury Department has partnered with the Foundation for Renewable Energy and Environment (FREE) to established The Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Finance Program (PennSEF), which provides technical and legal assistance, as well as low-cost capital, for energy improvement projects by municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals.
• Volunteers: Never forget the volunteers.  SE PA is awash with dedicated and talented people who can move your effort forward.