Consider for adoption a Resolution adopting goals for planning Lower Merion’s transition to a carbon-free energy future.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, energy conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions have been stated goals of the Lower Merion Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) in the EAC’s First Revised Environmental Action Plan 2012-2016 and in its current five-year 2018-2022 Environmental Action Plan (2018-2022 EAP) and;

WHEREAS, the 2018-2022 EAP contemplated the development of a “rigorous program for fulfilling the Township’s stated commitment to energy conservation, sustainability, and environmental protection” and;

WHEREAS, by memorandum of December 21, 2018, Board of Commissioners President Daniel Bernheim asked the EAC to, among other things, “provide recommendations focusing particularly on high-impact opportunities for carbon footprint reduction [and] … to help reduce gas/diesel consumption by expanding the use of alternative fuel vehicles and the availability of electric vehicle charging stations across the Township” and;

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2019-18 adopted May 15, 2019, the Board of Commissioners asked the EAC to recommend a community wide sustainability planning process leading to the issuance of plans and recommendations for reducing the carbon footprint of the Township’s public and private sectors and for mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change on the Township’s infrastructure and;

WHEREAS, the EAC organized and convened a community-wide sustainability planning process headed by a Sustainability Steering Committee (“SSC”) overseeing multiple task forces, including participation from Township management, Lower Merion School District, industry, the health care sector, environmental groups, academia, religious congregations, and residents interested in the Township’s welfare and;

WHEREAS, the SSC held two public meetings in November 2019 and January 2020 to discuss adopting specific goals toward the transition to clean, renewable energy and;

WHEREAS, in 2018, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published a Climate Action Plan (“PA Climate Action Plan”) with goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 26 percent by 2025 and by 80 percent by 2050, and other goals for making the transition to carbon-free energy and;

WHEREAS, in addition to initiating the sustainability planning process, the Township has already taken meaningful steps to transition to carbon-free energy and to reduce its energy consumption, steps that are enumerated in the Appendix to this Resolution and;

WHEREAS, the EAC and SSC have recommended the adoption of specific, ambitious goals for making Lower Merion a more energy efficient, carbon-free energy community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the maximum extent feasible and; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Township use reasonable effort, considering available, affordable technology, consistent with the PA Climate Action Plan goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to the maximum extent feasible, not later than 2045 through:

1. More efficient use of energy by Township operations.
2. Conversion of Township-owned and operated buildings, facilities, and equipment where possible to electricity generated from non-fossil fuel energy sources (as distinct from offsets or credits for purchasing carbon-free electricity distributed elsewhere) by 2035.
3. Conversion of the Township’s vehicle fleet where feasible to electric or other zero/low emission vehicles by 2045.
4. Conversion of Township-owned and operated buildings and facilities equipped with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to be powered by carbon-free energy where feasible by 2045.
5. Utilize education, advocacy, and where legal the exercise of the Township’s regulatory authority, in conjunction with market forces, actions by the federal government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to promote transition by the entire Lower Merion community, including the Township’s businesses, institutions, and residents, to carbon-free energy for:

a.       electricity for powering buildings, facilities, and equipment by 2035

b.      powering vehicles owned or leased by township occupants by 2045

c.       powering HVAC systems by 2045

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township, in collaboration with the EAC and with the participation of the public, shall formulate an Energy Transition Plan as an element of a Sustainability Plan, consistent with the aforementioned goals, for consideration by the Board of Commissioners not later than one year from the date of this Resolution.  The Energy Transition Plan shall include interim milestones for reaching the goals established in this Resolution and shall address whether the goals listed in this Resolution remain appropriate or should be adjusted.