Sara Pilling, Radnor Ready for 100 Team -- 610-283-8775
Jim Wylie, Southeastern Pennsylvania Sierra Club -- 484-753-3581
RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA -- At their meeting Monday night, Radnor Township Commissioners voted 6-1 to pass a "Ready for 100" resolution committing for the community to transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.
Radnor residents turned out to show support for this decision and expressed their gratitude for the Commissioners' leadership and forward-thinking. Radnor is joining more than 100 cities and towns across the country, including eight others in Southeastern Pennsylvania aiming to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.
The resolution calls for the development of an energy transition plan to be prepared for review by April 22, 2020 (Earth Day) which will include interim milestones, financial impacts, equity metrics, potential financing mechanisms, and the percentage of clean energy to be locally produced.
"As Bill McKibben says, 'Mother Nature is the best organizer there is'. Climate change is not some distant threat -- we are seeing the effects already, right here in Radnor. We need to do our part to ward off the worst effects of climate change, and identify strategies for helping community residents save money on their electric bills, take advantage of clean energy alternatives, and also manage the impacts of climate change on their health and well-being," said Sara Piling, Radnor Ready for 100 Team lead.
The Commissioners are tapping Radnor's Environmental Advisory Council to play an oversight role in the planning process. "We are eager to embrace this assignment," noted EAC Chair Matthew Holtman. "We really want to engage the perspectives and talents of the community in shaping the plan. And we know there are opportunities to draw from solutions being explored by municipalities in the region and beyond, and even to potentially collaborate with nearby townships in some way."
Cheering on the Commissioners' decision,Radnor High School's Action Earth Leadership Council was present at the vote. The Council has gathered 245 signatures and produced a video of student and teacher endorsements in support. "We are thrilled to see Radnor's municipal leaders take this important step confronting the existential challenge of climate change facing our generation. We are committed to exploring how the Radnor school community can join in advancing progress towards clean energy solutions that will reduce pollution and save money at the same time," said Ali Bauer, Council President.
Across the country, 109 cities and towns have established the goal of moving to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.