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
Lima joins Power A Clean Future Ohio
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On February 17th, Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) Executive Director Joe Flarida joined Mayor David Berger in announcing that Lima has become the 10th Ohio city to join the campaign since February 2020.
“We are proud to make this announcement today and pledge that Lima will work to position itself to prosper in the 21st Century clean energy economy,” said Mayor Berger. “Our community is poised to take advantage of major cost savings and implement climate solutions that will attract private sector development and increase job growth. For the sake of our health and our well-being, we can’t afford not to prioritize sustainability in the city’s plans for the years ahead and I, along with my staff, am looking forward to working with the Power a Clean Future Ohio coalition on these important efforts."
One of the first planned projects between Lima and PCFO is a fleet assessment to better understand the current set of vehicles deployed by the local government, including how to make these vehicles more efficient and transition to affordable, low-maintenance electric drivetrain vehicles. PCFO and partner organization Clean Fuels Ohio will work directly with city officials to spur the economic growth and development that results from embracing clean energy technologies and advanced transportation.
Local communities like Lima are joining the PCFO campaign because they are ready to begin taking steps to reduce emissions in ways that are achievable, equitable, measurable, and economical. Power a Clean Future Ohio welcomes the City of Lima and looks forward to working together. Learn more about the announcement and Lima’s plans through both local and regional media coverage of the announcement.
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Equity Coaching for Sustainable Cities Program |
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This program provides small groups of city leaders and staff the chance to engage with one another on the issues of racial equity, access to resources and representation. The goal of this program is to take those crucial conversations and implement new strategies and tactics to actively address those pressing issues for a more sustainable, healthier city.
This fully-funded in-kind grant program includes:
- 4 hours of Equity Coaching
- Fully-funded Greenhouse Gas Inventory or Fleet Inventory
- Expert Policy Recommendations that are Equitable, Actionable and Affordable
- Excellent Personal and Professional Development Opportunity for Staff
Interested in being an equity coach?
In order to reach as many communities as possible, PCFO is looking for dynamic, organized and committed individuals to join its support network and serve as equity coaches. The equity coach is responsible for providing direct support to municipalities, including video conference coaching sessions with communities to provide training and guidance with regard to embedding equity considerations and practices into municipal decisions, services and operations.
For more information on becoming an equity coach or just want to learn more about the program itself, click here!
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Cleveland Comprehensive Environmental Policy Platform |
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The OEC Cleveland recently partnered with more than 20 organizations to release a candidate education platform and comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at solving some of Cleveland’s most pressing and complex environmental issues facing Cleveland residents. The Cleveland Comprehensive Environmental Policy Platform details an environmental justice policy agenda for the City of Cleveland including recommendations on water quality and access, land and green space, infrastructure and transportation, and energy and air quality.
Interested in learning more about the platform? You can watch this conversation with OEC Metro Director Karlton Laster and Black Environmental Leaders Co-Facilitator SeMia Bray. You can also pledge your support and sign on to the Platform.
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City of Shaker Heights Sustainability Coordinator Michael Peters will present an EV project success story and detail how other cities can learn from and implement similar options.
Sam Spofforth, CEO of Clean Fuels Ohio, will provide an overview on clean fuel and vehicle options, as well as how Clean Fuels Ohio can help your city analyze options based on your situation, then collaborate on a plan to implement solutions that custom fit your city’s operations, budget and sustainability goals for both fleet electrification and charging infrastructure deployment. Join here!
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PCFO Partner Spotlight: Natural Resources Defense Council |
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Tell us about NRDC
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.
Why is it important for NRDC to be involved in PCFO?
Midwest state’s like Ohio are ground zero for a national transition away from fossil-fired power and the battle to solve climate change. Embracing clean energy in cities across states like Ohio brings significant public health, environmental, and economic benefits to the Midwest. NRDC has supported Cincinnati and Columbus in their participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Clean Cities Climate Challenge, an effort to resource cities to take strong action to reduce pollution that contributes to climate change and impact public health. Our efforts in the state are being led by Dan Sawmiller, an Auglaize County native and combat veteran of Ohio’s Army National Guard. As PCFO builds momentum by equipping local leaders for equitable, community driven carbon reductions in Ohio, it’s important for us to be part of the coalition helping to engage local communities in these efforts.
How do you see PCFO impacting your work/efforts?
The building blocks PCFO is establishing will help NRDC to assure that we are reducing carbon emissions in local communities across the Midwest region. Ohio’s economy, health and future depend on broad coalitions like PCFO for innovative approaches that will foster clean energy and address the climate change crisis in a way that is most responsive to local community needs.
Photo taken by Alex Snyder at Wayne National Forest.
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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 organizations 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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