Nancy Winkler, nwinkler@anthwyn.org, 215-385-2180
Lower Merion Township, PA – On May 19, the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners passed a resolution establishing a goal of 100 percent clean, renewable energy.
The resolution calls for community-wide renewable energy goals to be met no later than 2045. Specifically, this means conversion of Township-owned and operated buildings, facilities, and equipment to electricity generated from non-fossil fuel energy sources by 2035, conversion of the Township’s vehicle fleet to electric or other zero/low emission vehicles by 2045, and conversion of Township-owned and operated buildings and facilities equipped with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to be powered by carbon-free energy by 2045.
Lower Merion Township will also promote the private sector’s transition to clean energy--including electricity, vehicles, heating, and HVAC systems--by 2045, through education and advocacy. All of this will be done through a transparent and community-led task force: the Environmental Advisory Board.
Lower Merion Township’s commitment to 100 percent is the fifteenth such commitment in Montgomery County, Philadelphia’s largest suburban county and Pennsylvania’s third most populous. It also makes Lower Merion the thirty-seventh municipality to make this commitment in Southeast Pennsylvania. Local citizens, members of Lower Merion’s Ready For 100 team, the southeast Pennsylvania Ready for 100 team, and Climate Action Lower Merion, have been working more than two years to inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered with 100 percent clean, renewable energy.
In the resolution, Lower Merion Township additionally calls upon the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government to take action in ways that will assist Lower Merion in achieving its goal of 100 percent.
Nancy Winkler, of Lower Merion Ready for 100 and Climate Action Lower Merion, issued the following statement:
“We need to recognize that we are in a climate crisis. This is our time to step up to meet what is likely the largest ever challenge to humankind. Bold, large measures are needed at every level of government, science, business and industry, and it’s really important that Lower Merion do its part. On behalf of Ready for 100 Lower Merion and also on behalf of Ready for 100 South East Pennsylvania, I would like to both thank and commend all volunteers and Township staff who have participated in preparing and bringing forward the resolution.”
Ray Courtney, LM Commissioner, Ward 5, issued the following:
“The adoption of our Energy Transition resolution in line with Ready For 100 communities nationwide was only possible through the efforts of many Lower Merion residents and volunteers who understand the challenges and dangers that climate change will present to our community and to the entire world. This past Wednesday, the Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the resolution setting goals for our community's transition to carbon neutrality and officially setting Lower Merion on a path to a more sustainable future. There are some difficult decisions ahead of us--our community has a large carbon footprint, but we also have the resources to reduce that footprint, and now we have joined our entire region in this fight!”
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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.