Schuylkill and Whitemarsh Townships Aim to Transition to Renewables with 100 Percent Clean Energy Resolutions

Schuylkill, PA – On March 6, the Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to transition the township to 100 percent renewable energy. By taking this action, Schuylkill becomes the seventh Chester county, and the 111th US municipality to establish this goal.

Days after Schuylkill’s commitment, Whitemarsh Township also adopted a 100 percent renewable resolution. Both resolutions aim to use 100 percent renewable sources for electricity by 2035, and for heating and transportation by 2050.

The two townships join a contingent of ten other Southeastern Pennsylvania communities that are leading the state in establishing a goal for an all-renewable future. Schuylkill joins Uwchlan, Kennett Township, Downingtown, West Chester, East Bradford, and Phoenixville in Chester County. Whitemarsh joins Springfield, and as of Tuesday, Ambler Borough in Montgomery County in setting targets for 100 percent clean and renewable energy community-wide. Radnor and Haverford Township in Delaware County has also set the goal. The full list of 100 percent renewable energy commitments nationwide can be found here.

“The very first section of the resolution cites the commitment of the Board of Supervisors to the health, safety, livability, prosperity, independence, and security of Schuylkill Township and its residents. Those six values and our commitment to them, are the best reasons to support a resolution for a clean energy transition,” said Jonathan Meyers, from the Schuylkill Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), who introduced the resolution. The EAC unanimously recommended the resolution to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. “[The health of residents] is currently threatened by dirty air that results from the use of fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and heating.”

“Small communities can’t do this alone. Polluted air, extreme weather and flooding don’t respect municipal boundaries. This can best be addressed at the municipal level and for communities of our size, working together will be more effective and economical,” said Paula Kline, volunteer with Chester County Ready for 100. “Schuylkill has the advantage that the Phoenixville Area comprehensive plan is underway and includes energy as a key element.”

“This decision on the part of Schuylkill Township will inspire other local governments in the area. There is no more important task than cleaning up our energy system through efficiency, electrification and renewables,” said engineer Mark Connolly, an engineer and member of of the Phoenixville Area Green Team. “This township can take great pride in what they have initiated tonight on behalf of future generations.”

“Township officials across the region are realizing that the more municipalities that set 100 percent goals, the more accumulated purchasing power we will have for our communities to attract competitive bids for clean renewable energy and efficiency products and transition planning,” said Jim Wylie, Sierra Club Southeastern Pennsylvania Group Chair.