Our Mission: Power a Clean Future Ohio is building momentum now for a clean, prosperous future by equipping local leaders for equitable, community-driven carbon reductions in Ohio.

Local Ohio Leaders Travel to COP28, Demonstrate Leadership on Global Stage

Several Ohio local leaders attended COP28, demonstrating their leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action on the global stage. Cuyahoga County Executive, Chris Ronayne, emphasized their strategic positioning to capitalize on historic federal climate and clean energy investments. "It's about the health of our people and the health of our natural systems," he declared, underlining the local perspective driving global change.

Mayor Aftab Pureval of Cincinnati also attended and Mayor Justin Bibb of Cleveland spoke to the conference virtually. Each showcased their support in fighting for environmental justice.

Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus highlighted the critical role cities play in climate action. "Today, 50% of people live in cities, and in 25 years, it will be 70%. Cities are where climate action needs to happen. Sprawl is not the answer," Mayor Ginther asserted, showcasing a vision for sustainable urban growth. The City of Columbus is taking a giant leap by updating its zoning code after 70 years, focusing on density and anticipating a 50% growth in transit.



Meanwhile, Cuyahoga County is committed to reducing emissions by 45% below 2010 by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with the global effort to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees. 

Dayton earns international distinction for sustainability efforts

Dayton stands out as a leader on clean energy and sustainability in Ohio and now stands out with unique distinction across the U.S. The city earned international recognition from the U.S. Green Buildings Council as one highest-scoring jurisdiction in the world in their LEED rating system. Dayton becomes the fourth city in the U.S. to achieve platinum LEED status and the first to do so in Ohio.

This designation, based on comprehensive sustainability criteria, includes assessments in areas such as natural systems, energy, water, waste, and transportation. The city's 2021 application highlighted initiatives like a renewable energy program, aquifer protection, and tree plantings. Meg Maloney, the city's sustainability manager, emphasized that the certification serves as an inspiration for other cities to replicate their success.

While five Ohio cities received LEED certification, Dayton's achievement stands out as the only platinum designation. The city's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through its partnership with Power a Clean Future Ohio and partnerships with local organizations like the University of Dayton, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Five Rivers MetroParks, Montgomery County/Dayton Regional Green, and the Dayton Energy Collaborative.

The city's next steps involve drafting a decarbonization plan with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Construction is underway in Delaware County for an innovative solar project that positions the area at the forefront of renewable energy and environmental sustainability. ARP Solar, the project's developer, is creating a three-acre floating solar array on a reservoir near the DelCo water plant.

Over a dozen workers are connecting more than 2,600 solar panels, arranged on three floating rafts. Gary Easton, Owner and Founder of ARP Solar, describes this project as being similar to a roof-mounted array for its similar components. The DelCo Water Company initiated the project, aiming to generate nearly half of its 5 million kilowatt-hours annual energy consumption from the floating array.

Rich Stokely, the solar project developer, highlights the longevity and efficiency of the solar panels, guaranteeing energy production for 25 years. Once operational, the floating array is expected to save the county over a million dollars during its lifespan.

While construction is nearing completion, the floating solar array is expected to be fully operational by spring 2024, providing a sustainable energy source and paving the way for future expansion across other reservoirs in the region.

We encourage PCFO communities to apply for this special Ohio-specific grant as soon as possible. The deadline is December 15.

The State of Ohio received over $3 million through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Group (EECBG) program to create the Brightening Ohio Communities (BOC) Program. The BOC program is designed to provide grants to implement cost-effective, energy-efficiency improvements for streetlights, perimeter lighting, and municipal-owned parking lot lighting in communities across Ohio.