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Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold public hearings on the Municipal Energy Master Plan and the City’s goal to transition to 100% clean renewable energy for municipal buildings by 2030.
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WHEREAS, On June 21, 2017, Philadelphia Mayor Kenney pledged his support to transition the City’s use of energy to 100% clean and renewable sources. Over 80 cities have adopted goals to transition to 100% renewable energy, including Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, Orlando, St. Louis, San Diego, and Portland; and
WHEREAS, Setting a goal for municipal buildings will be critical if Philadelphia is to meet targets to both reduce overall carbon emissions in the City by 80% by 2050 and adhere to standards established by the Paris Accord to address global climate change. Philadelphia’s goals will work in conjunction with HB2132 and SB1140, which would commit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to use 100% renewable energy no later than 2050; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability has developed a Municipal Energy Master Plan that establishes a roadmap for helping to accomplish the Mayor’s 100% clean energy commitment, specifically setting a goal of transitioning 100% of City-owned buildings to clean renewable sources by 2030. According to this report, the City spends more than $35 million each year to provide energy to its portfolio of over 600 facilities. Altogether, these facilities produce more than 160,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent, contributing about 1% to Philadelphia’s carbon pollution. Mayor Kenney has reiterated that the City must lead by example in reducing the carbon footprint of its own buildings; and
WHEREAS, The Municipal Energy Master Plan articulates a series of strategies to both lower energy use by the City and facilitate the development of a clean energy supply. Both of these strategies require coordination across the administration as well as the support of City Council; and
WHEREAS, The transition to clean renewable energy in municipal buildings must account for climate injustice as the effects of climate change first impact communities with existing inequities, including communities of color; impoverished and immigrant communities; women; children; the elderly; communities residing near fossil fuel infrastructure, and those that reside in low-lying areas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby authorize the Committee on the Environment to hold hearings on the Municipal Energy Master Plan and the City’s goal to transition to 100% clean renewable energy for municipal buildings by 2030.
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