Chloe Selles, chloe.selles@sierraclub.org
STATE COLLEGE, PA -- Last night, the State College Borough Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution establishing a goal of 100 percent clean, renewable energy no later than 2050.
With this resolution, the Borough of State College is now committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100 percent renewable energy “as quickly as feasible” and to “lead by example to rapidly pursue these goals in a manner that is transparent, fair, and economically responsible.”
State College is the 17th community in Pennsylvania to commit to 100 percent clean, renewable energy, and the first outside of Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is also the 126th city to adopt this goal nationally.
The home of Penn State University, the borough has shown initiative when it comes to climate action over the years, passing its first commitment in 2007. Jesse Barlow, a local Sierra Club member, professor at Penn State, and Borough councilmember, drafted and introduced the resolution in May.
During the public comment period, Dorothy Blair, a member of the neighboring Harris township and president of the Nittany Valley Environmental Coalition, spoke in support of the resolution. The Coalition has been working in the region since January 2018 to “protect our constitutionally-guaranteed environmental rights as Pennsylvania citizens.” Blair recognizes the passing of this resolution as a step toward greater protection of these rights and toward cleaner air and water for the local community.
Jesse Barlow, State College Borough Councilmember, issued the following statement:
“In passing this resolution making State College Borough a Sierra Club Ready for 100 municipality, we are making important pledge for the future of the Borough and the region. It is a recognition that local government has a strong role to play in mitigating global climate disruption and its continues the Borough's strong commitment to environmental sustainability.”
Chloe Selles, the Ready for 100 Organizing Fellow for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, issued the following:
“The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club is very excited to celebrate this success with the community of State College tonight. We look forward to supporting the work of community members in the borough of State College and throughout Centre County as they move towards a cleaner, more equitable future.”
On June 12th, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club will host a public meeting to celebrate State College’s commitment, and to discuss next steps. You can find out more information or RSVP here.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.