At a meeting on Monday night, Radnor Township, Pa., commissioners voted 6-1 to pass a “Ready for 100” resolution, committing the community to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050.
According to the Sierra Club, Radnor residents turned out to show support for the decision and expressed their gratitude for the commissioners’ leadership. Radnor is joining more than 100 cities and towns across the country – including eight others in southeastern Pennsylvania – aiming to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy, the Sierra Club says.
Radnor’s resolution calls for the development of an energy transition plan to be prepared for review by April 22, 2020 (Earth Day). The plan will include interim milestones, financial impacts, equity metrics, potential financing mechanisms and the percentage of clean energy to be locally produced.
The commissioners are tapping Radnor’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) to play an oversight role in the planning process.
“We are eager to embrace this assignment,” notes EAC’s 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 had 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,” says Ali Bauer, council president. “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.”
