Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold public hearings to investigate the feasibility of the City of Philadelphia investing in wind energy for municipal operations and community energy needs.

WHEREAS, Wind energy is a pollution free and sustainable form of energy that is harvested through windmills and can be through utility grids. Wind energy does not create greenhouse gasses or produce toxic or radioactive waste; and

WHEREAS, Wind energy is generated by kinetic energy and converted into usable forms of energy without fuel so it has the potential to lower reliance on foreign oil and create more jobs; and

WHEREAS, States and municipalities have begun purchasing wind energy and wind turbines to supply clean energy for operations and community needs. Publicly owned wind farms can be located on state/municipal land or leased from local landowners; and

WHEREAS, Waverly Light and Power in Iowa is a municipally owned utility that owns and operates three wind turbines that provide 5 percent of the utility's annual system energy requirements; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia should explore wind power opportunities both within the city and surrounding area; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Committee on the Environment is hereby authorized to hold public hearings to investigate the feasibility of the City of Philadelphia investing in wind energy for municipal operations and community energy needs.

End