Climate change is…

This is my first entry in the “Climate change is…” series. I’ve heard and spoken thousands of sentences that begin with those three words. What has followed? So many things. Today, I will share a few of them followed by brief musings. In the coming weeks and months, I will return and explore some or … More Climate change is…

We have to get s*** done for the climate regardless of who is in the White House.

“A second Trump term is game over for the climate – really!” That’s what Michael Mann told The Guardian. “If we are going to avert ever more catastrophic climate change impacts, we need to limit warming below a degree and a half Celsius, a little less than three degrees Fahrenheit. Another four years of what … More We have to get s*** done for the climate regardless of who is in the White House.

A power purchase agreement or something else?

As readers of this blog know, ten of Centre County’s local governments will soon vote to adopt affordable, carbon-free, Pennsylvania-supplied solar power. Brought together in 2019 as a special working group, we set our sights on two primary goals: being more responsible as fiduciaries with our energy dollars and playing a positive role in reducing greenhouse … More A power purchase agreement or something else?

Make action on climate change part of everyday life. Make it part of what schools do.

“When more schools adopt solar, it becomes mainstream and no longer viewed as “something revolutionary or confrontational.” This is what I told Cipher News, an outlet that “covers the technological innovations we need to combat climate change and transform our global energy systems.” In our work to act on climate change, its drivers and impacts … More Make action on climate change part of everyday life. Make it part of what schools do.

Don’t Be Distracted by ‘Inactivists.’ Solar Is the Present and Future

Today, I have an opinion piece, “Don’t Be Distracted by ‘Inactivists.’ Solar Is the Present and Future,” published on StateCollege.com. It is a response to Josh Portney’s misguided and ill-informed opinion piece on the regional solar power purchase agreement (SPPA). While Portney presents himself as a sleuth and advocate for the truth proves he has a … More Don’t Be Distracted by ‘Inactivists.’ Solar Is the Present and Future

“I support action on climate change, but …” We know what that means.

Having read Jacob Michael’s article in the Sept. 29 issue of The Centre Daily Times on the Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA), former State College Borough Council member Jesse Barlow and I wanted to add some clarifying details. We felt this was important given that we have both been involved with the project since its … More “I support action on climate change, but …” We know what that means.

Local Climate Action Program wins national recognition and we are so grateful.

On Thursday, the Local Climate Action Program was awarded the Ryan Moser Reilly Award from the Engagement Scholarship Consortium. The Award “recognizes a campus or an entity on campuses (e.g. college, department, school, unit, program) that has made a significant contribution to transforming institutional culture that promotes community-engaged scholarship…[lifting up] institutions or units within that … More Local Climate Action Program wins national recognition and we are so grateful.

Do hard things like advance solar. Don’t do pointless things like argue with dining room tables.

In the next two months, ten (maybe eleven) of Centre County’s local governments will vote to adopt affordable, carbon-free, Pennsylvania-supplied solar power at a truly ambitious scale. With the power purchase agreement in its final steps, our citizens and taxpayers will be able to celebrate how a coalition of committed public servants put together a … More Do hard things like advance solar. Don’t do pointless things like argue with dining room tables.

The real, but hidden, social benefits of a solar power purchase agreement.

As readers know from recent posts, I have been working on an intergovernmental solar power purchase agreement (PPA). It is close to the finish line. Our citizens and taxpayers will be able to celebrate how a coalition of committed public servants assembled a triple win on fiscal responsibility, voter and youth demands for action on … More The real, but hidden, social benefits of a solar power purchase agreement.