Urging the Pennsylvania Legislature to support House Bill 2132 and Senate Bill 1140, which would commit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Legislature is currently considering House Bill 2132 and Senate Bill 1140, which are designed to facilitate the transition of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the use of 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050. The intent of the legislation is to decrease greenhouse gases and reduce the levels of air, water, and land pollution in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The legislation provides for the establishment of a Clean Energy Transition Task Force, a Clean Energy Center of Excellence and a Council for Clean Energy Workforce Development to both evaluate current pollution related-issues affecting the Commonwealth and maximize the environmental and economic benefits of developing Pennsylvania’s renewable energy industry; and

WHEREAS, A transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy will bolster Pennsylvania’s energy independence and security while simultaneously providing for private and public investment in clean energy and energy-efficient projects and undoubtably inspire statewide energy policy changes that will enable municipalities like Philadelphia to achieve our 100% renewal energy goals. This effort is supported by elected officials from across the Commonwealth, including Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, and would help Philadelphia reach its goals of 100% renewable energy; and

WHEREAS, 70,000 Pennsylvanians are employed in clean energy and energy efficiency sector in Pennsylvania, with jobs in construction, engineering, research, and beyond. Clean energy jobs can be found in every county, congressional district, and state legislative district in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The effort to transition to clean energy is supported by the Clean Power Pennsylvania Coalition, a group of clean energy, business, faith, and community leaders committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment and powering its economy through clean energy. The coalition includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), PennFuture, Clean Air Council, Moms Clean Air Force, Penn Environment, NextGen Climate America, Conservation Voters of PA, Clean Water Action, Voces Verdes, Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Audubon Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility-Philadelphia, Climate Parents, Partnership for Policy Integrity, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Sustainable Pittsburgh and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2); now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby urge the Pennsylvania Legislature to support House Bill 2132 and Senate Bill 1140, which would commit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

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