Community rallies to Power Pittsburgh Forward with 100% clean energy

Pittsburgh, PA— Local faith leaders, community groups, government, energy workers, students and residents from across the city rallied this morning for a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy in Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh City Council held a public hearing on  the city’s newly released Climate Action Plan, which lays out the steps Pittsburgh can take to reduce emissions and transition away from dirty fuels. Building off of Mayor Peduto's vision and leadership for the clean energy and climate action in Pittsburgh, the plan is an opportunity for Pittsburgh to accelerate the transition towards 100% clean, renewable energy and to turn Mayor Peduto's vision into action. The City is currently accepting public comment on the plan.

“Pittsburgh’s could become a model for the nation to build a thriving, diverse clean economy that benefits all" said Eva Resnick-Day, Community Organizer with the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Campaign. "A move to 100% renewable energy must include all voices, because we know that a clean and healthy future starts with us"

“As the region and the world modernizes around us, now more than ever we must empower communities and individuals with access to careers of the future,” said Zaheen Hussain, Director of Sustainability for New Sun Rising. “Investing in the fossil fuel economy with renewable energy at our doorstep is like investing in the horse and buggy industry after the automobile has rolled out.

The rally marks  the beginning of a Power Pittsburgh Forward community dialogue tour across the city to engage community members in dialogue to envision an equitable 100 percent clean energy future for Pittsburgh. Those interested in joining a community dialogue should contact eva.resnick-day@sierraclub.org.

In June, just hours after Donald Trump claimed to be represent the voters of Pittsburgh in his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, Mayor Bill Peduto today announced his support for a goal of powering Pittsburgh entirely with clean and renewable energy by 2035.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing moral issues of our time. As stewards of creation, all of us must work to ensure a livable planet for our neighbors near and far, and for the generations yet to come. We must use our God-given creativity and skill to pursue renewable energy, reduce emissions, and preserve our natural resources,” said Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister for the Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania

"We already have some the country’s worst air quality.  We are ranked 8th worst by the American Lung Association.  We are in the worst 1 percent of counties nationally for cancer risks from point source pollution.  We need to cleanup our air, and clean energy investments are some of the best ways to improve our health, strengthen our economy, and bring about a hopeful future,” said Matthew Mehalik, Executive Director for the Air Quality Collaborative.

On Tuesday, Truckee, California became the 50th U.S. city to commit to 100 percent clean energy, joining a growing coalition of communities that are driving the transition towards cleaner and more affordable sources of energy like wind and solar. Pennsylvania cities including West Chester and Phoenixville are among those that have made the commitment to move to 100 percent clean energy.

Groups who organized the Power Pittsburgh Forward rally include Sierra Club, One PA, Open Door Ministries, Fossil Free Pitt, Planned Parenthood of Western PA, Green Faith, 350 PGH,  Pitt Campus Women’s Organization, ACCAAN, Air Quality Collaborative, Interfaith Power and Light, PennEnvironment, Chatham Sustainability Impact Team.