Power A Clean Future Ohio News

May 28, 2020

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

Local Governments Lead the Way on Clean Energy

If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time, we want to share with you a little about what Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) is doing and how your community can join this campaign . 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 goals are to:

Reduce the carbon footprint of local communities across Ohio.
Attract clean energy development to the state to create careers for Ohioans.
Implement equitable policy solutions supported by local communities.
Reduce energy costs for cities, businesses and residents.

Our coalition of expert organizations wants to share our technical expertise and resources with your community. In this period of rebuilding our economy, we can’t afford to not embrace sustainable, resilient, affordable clean energy solutions. Together we can make that happen in a way that prioritizes equitable solutions to these shared challenges so everyone in your community benefits, especially those they have been left out of this conversation before.

Survey: Majority of Americans support state & local government prioritizing public health impacts of climate change

In the midst of a global pandemic, the majority of Americans continue to be concerned about climate change. A recent national survey from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication shows "the majority of Americans see climate change as a clear and present threat to the health of people in their community." And, nearly half said global warming would affect people in their community.

“Majorities of Americans think state and local governments should place a ‘high priority’ on protecting agriculture, public water supplies, and people’s health (all 55%) from the effects of global warming over the next ten years.”

It's clear that Americans continue to be concerned about climate change and the health and future of their communities.

Local Cost Savings & Clean Energy Progress

Several Ohio communities are already investing in clean energy or have plans to do so in the near future. Each day we see new headlines and announcements.

“Minster Sees Cost-Savings, Investment from Solar Farm” (hundreds of dollars in annual customer cost savings, additional business investment)
“Cincinnati to Build Nation's Largest City-Led Solar Project” (no up-front costs, utility cost savings)
“Wind Farms Providing Millions For Paulding County” ($2.5 million annual payments to county)
“Cleveland Heights introduces solar power agreement for three city buildings” ($400,000 annual savings)
“Toledo upgrading streetlights to LED” ($580,000 annual savings)
“Dayton turns to renewable energy in city buildings to save money, fight climate change” (100% clean energy plus cost savings)

PCFO wants to recognize the amazing progress local leaders are making in growing the clean energy economy in Ohio. Over the next year we will recognize the PCFO Leading Communities and your community could be one of them. To learn more about how your community can get involved and earn this recognition, click here .

Business Investment Supports the Clean Energy Transition

Nearly half of the Fortune 500 companies and almost all the Fortune 100 companies have plans to be powered by 100% renewable energy soon. Sixty-one percent of those Fortune 500 firms with renewable energy targets have operations in Ohio. This includes 39 companies that are either headquartered in Ohio or among the state’s 100 largest employers. Support for clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies are key factors influencing where businesses choose to locate, expand and grow.

PCFO Partner Spotlight: Ceres

Who is Ceres?

Ceres is a national sustainability advocacy organization building private sector leadership to tackle the world's greatest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, deforestation and pollution. Ceres' BICEP Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy Network consists of over 55 major US companies, including several leading consumer brands and Fortune 500 companies located in Ohio such as Clif Bar, Danone, General Mills, Nestle and Schneider Electric - all advocating for strong climate, clean energy and water policies at the state and federal levels.

Why is it important for Ceres to be involved in PCFO?

Empowering communities to implement sustainability solutions is critical to the vitality and resiliency of the local economy as well as the health of residents and local workforce.

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