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. |
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Local Action Update
Fairborn Joins PCFO
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At this Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the City of Fairborn unanimously passed a resolution to join PCFO, making them our 27th community.
The city plans to work with our team to identify energy efficiency solutions to save the city money and find new sources of grant funding for building improvements and clean transportation projects.
City Manager Rob Anderson said, “We look forward to working with Power A Clean Future Ohio, along with other cities and local governments to plan for the future of our community. We joined PCFO because they are able to bring several resources, experts, and additional information we can use without cost to the city. We will look for ways to save energy costs and plan for the future needs of our residents. I’m proud that our city council took advantage of this opportunity and recognized the importance of this first step which helps move us towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Fairborn City Councilmember Tana Stanton said, “I’m proud that Fairborn has joined other neighboring communities such as Dayton, Yellow Springs, and Montgomery County to become the 27th community to join PCFO. We’re joining a distinguished group of leading cities and counties across the state and I look forward to working together and learning from one another. The environmental and economic challenges we are all facing require innovation and investment. Our work with PCFO will set us up to be successful in both.”
We look forward to embarking on this new partnership and begin creating a clean energy future for their community.
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About CUB Ohio's report, "The ABCs of Ohio EVs: A Policy Guide to Electrify Ohio" |
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Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is growing rapidly in Ohio and is expected to accelerate in the coming decade. Transportation Electrification (TE) can be a driver of cleaner air, reduced carbon emissions, lower transportation costs, enhanced grid reliability, and a more efficient electricity system.
All Ohioans can benefit from this change, whether or not they ever drive an EV. To ensure they do, Ohio needs the right TE policies and programs. CUB Ohio has researched these and produced a 28-page report intended to serve as a guide for Ohio policymakers, with recommendations on how the broadest circle of Ohio consumers can benefit.
Read the full report here.
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For the first time, Cincinnati has a council committee focused on climate change |
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New this year, Cincinnati City Council established their first-ever committee focused on climate change, named the Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee. Councilwoman Meeka Owens is chair of the committee and states there are dozens of opportunities to address climate change at the local level.
"To create more walkable, connected neighborhoods, developing multimodal transportation, adding more green space in our neighborhoods, preparing for an emerging electric vehicle market, improving pedestrian safety, installing solar panels, increasing bike lanes, improving water and air quality, and capitalizing on transit oriented development," Councilwoman Owens said.
Continue reading to learn about the committee's first action to update their Bike Plan, as well as begin another version of their Green Cincinnati Plan.
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Youngstown Community Members Discuss Clean Energy & Environmental Justice |
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Over 40 people joined in on the conversation to discuss major disparities facing people of color and communities with low-income residents. Specifically in places like Youngstown, steel production in the area has resulted in air, ground and water contamination that caused severe health problems to the BIPOC communities surrounding the mills.
Luckily, there are advocates and organizations who are working to introduce new legislation that can make a difference. For example, U.S. House Bill 429, the Energy Jobs and Justice Act, would invest in workforce development for renewable energy jobs and reduce historical barriers faced by workers and contractors who are people of color.
ACTION organizer Vicki Vicars said the organization was awarded a grant through the Ohio Climate Justice Fund to host two more community conversations to continue the discussion on clean energy and environmental justice.
You can participate in the next two conversations on the following dates:
- Christ Centered Church (3300 Hudson Ave., Youngstown) from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 8.
- Saint Edward Catholic Church (238 Tod Lane, Youngstown) from 6-8 p.m. on March 10.
The conversations also will be available via Zoom. Click here to register. For more information, contact Vicki Vicars at vicki.vicars@actionoh.com.
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FIRST 100 Days:
Climate and Clean Energy To-Do List
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Did you just get elected to local office or are you starting a new term? What can you do to support clean energy and climate initiatives in your FIRST 100 DAYS in office?
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PCFO Partner Spotlight: Better Together Solar |
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Tell us about Better Together Solar.
Better Together Solar opened in 2007 and has earned a reputation for building rugged, reliable and productive solar projects. We have installed and maintain many megawatts of solar energy systems across Ohio and neighboring states, as well as provided maintenance support for systems at Ohio's best brands, including The Cleveland Clinic, Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve University, Vitamix, the Great Lakes Brewing Company, Fortec Medical, Covia, Lake Ridge Academy, Old Trail School, and Oberlin College. We also pioneered solar PPA’s back in 2010 and continue to work with cities and counties throughout Ohio as they build clean energy infrastructure. Since rolling out our Donor Investor Program 10 years ago, we have grown a team of philanthropic builders who re-invested more than $6MM building clean energy systems mostly in NE Ohio.
Why is it important for BT Solar to be involved in Power a Clean Future Ohio?
Our partnership with PCFO invites us to share our solar and micro-grid expertise with those organizations most interested taking action against the causes of human-caused climate change.
How do you see Power a Clean Future Ohio impacting your work/efforts?
Our mission is to conserve the life sustaining resources of our planet, while energizing our communities, our businesses, and our homes. Being affiliated and collaborating with the organizations like PCFO is an honor and will help our communities reach their carbon reduction goals.
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PUCO Energy Efficiency Workshops COMING SOON in March and April
Comments Due January 28
The PUCO will host a series of workshops in March and April to solicit views on whether energy efficiency programs are an appropriate tool to manage electric generation costs, and how those fit into Ohio’s energy marketplace. In preparation, PUCO is receiving responses and comments by January 28 to energyefficiency@puco.ohio.gov. PCFO encourages member cities and elected official to comment by January 28. If you need assistance editing your comments, our technical assistance team can offer support. Please reach out to Tara at tara.brown@imt.org or Nolan at nrutschilling@theoec.org.
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Interested in getting started? Join today! |
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PCFO is an expansive, diverse coalition engaging with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio to build a clean future for our communities. Power A Clean Future Ohio is empowering local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable and economical.
Our coalition of expert organizations wants to share our technical expertise and resources with your community. If your community wants to work on plans to reduce emissions, attract business investment, implement equitable clean energy policy, and reduce costs – contact us today to set up a meeting!
If your business or organization would like to support PCFO, we invite you to join the campaign as a PCFO Partner. Contact us for more details.
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