Category: sustainability

The Local Climate Action Program goes to Harrisburg

May 2, 2024

Tuesday was a big day for the Local Climate Action Program in Harrisburg! In addition to partnering with municipalities this year, Omar Padilla, Kathy Cappelli Breier, and Vijay Bhaskar Chiluveru worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to develop the Department’s first operational emissions greenhouse gas inventory. We owe a huge debt … More The Local Climate Action Program goes to Harrisburg

Learn about climate change. Talk about climate change. Do something together about climate change.

April 7, 2024

Last week, WPSU kicked off Earth Month with a day for high school students on climate change & environmental education. They brought a myriad of organizations together, showing how we are capable of living, learning, & playing in better harmony with the creation. … More Learn about climate change. Talk about climate change. Do something together about climate change.

Taking to the airwaves for democracy & a brighter climate future

January 19, 2024

As I just shared, 12 of our local governments have come together to explore a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar developer in response to public demand for climate action. The PPA aims to generate 29,000,000 kilowatt hours of carbon-free electricity annually, providing financial stability through long-term low electricity rates and creating Pennsylvania jobs. … More Taking to the airwaves for democracy & a brighter climate future

Solar aggregation, cooperation, democracy, & action on climate change

January 19, 2024

In Centre County, Pennsylvania, 12 local governments have come together to explore a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar developer in response to public demand for climate action. The PPA aims to generate 29,000,000 kilowatt hours of carbon-free electricity annually, providing financial stability through long-term low electricity rates and creating Pennsylvania jobs. The project is now in its final stages, with local boards and solicitors set to review and vote on it. This initiative signifies democracy in action and a commitment to a more just and sustainable future. … More Solar aggregation, cooperation, democracy, & action on climate change

Ferguson Township’s Public Works Facility: A Step Toward the Future?

November 18, 2019

UPDATE: After a very thoughtful, detailed, and careful discussion, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to proceed with the project, pass a bond ordinance, and award bids. I couldn’t be happier. Thank you Board, staff, and citizens! Tonight, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors is voting on a major investment, a $6+ million investment in … More Ferguson Township’s Public Works Facility: A Step Toward the Future?

It’s like taking 4,800 cars off the road

October 30, 2019

So I’ve been chairing an intergovernmental solar power purchase agreement working group. It’s a coalition of municipal and county governments, one school district, and a few authorities looking to buy some or all of our electricity from solar. All told, we purchase about 28,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. There is interest from a housing authority, … More It’s like taking 4,800 cars off the road

Resounding Threats. Threatening Sounds. Metal as the sound of global risk.

October 21, 2019

This Friday at noon, come to Penn State’s HUB to see my presentation “Resounding Threats. Threatening Sounds.” as part of the Sustainability Showcase series. What does a global threat sound like? The Pentagon, the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists all diagnose risks to global society. In the formal language … More Resounding Threats. Threatening Sounds. Metal as the sound of global risk.

It’s time for higher education to engage democracy and climate change.

October 21, 2019

Join members of the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium to deliberate about climate change and build our capacity for citizenship on November 9th. All over the country, citizens are concerned about climate change. And young people, as the Climate Strikes show clearly, are most concerned of all. But what can we as citizens do about it? … More It’s time for higher education to engage democracy and climate change.

With great power comes great responsibility: Pennsylvania joins RGGI

October 4, 2019

As Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker (a.k.a. Spider Man), “With great power comes great responsibility.” Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced today that he’s moving to get the Commonwealth into the northeast’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). In a statement, Wolf said, “Climate change is the most critical environmental threat confronting the world, and power generation … More With great power comes great responsibility: Pennsylvania joins RGGI

Penn State set a climate goal they are reaching

September 8, 2019

On Friday, Penn State and Lightsource BP broke ground on the Commonwealth’s largest solar purchase. “The 70-megawatt project further supports Penn State’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2020 and to diversify the University’s energy portfolio through the incorporation of solar power, aligning with the Penn State Strategic Plan, which cites stewardship … More Penn State set a climate goal they are reaching