4 Suburban Philly Counties Join To Pursue Renewable Energy

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — In a partnership aiming to combat climate change, four suburban Philadelphia counties have joined in pursuit of a renewable energy power purchasing agreement.

Chester County's Commissioners announced Monday they've signed a memorandum of understanding to participate in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Power Agreement Partnership toward a goal of a renewable energy facility that could produce enough electricity for Chester, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

The four county governments are exploring the feasibility of a regional power purchasing agreement. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission will serve as the facilitator and convener of the power agreement partnership.

Paul Spiegel, Director, Energy and Sustainability Services for Spotts, Stevens & McCoy, and Vice-President of the Chester County Environmental & Energy Advisory Board stated support for the renewable energy power purchase agreement at a recent meeting of the Chester County Commissioners. "Our children and grandchildren are already asking why we are relying on non-renewable energy when there are so many ways to make energy renewable. It is important that we have an answer to their question, and to show that we are doing all that we can."

The Chester County Commissioner's Office said in a statement on Monday that the partnership will consider the benefits, implications, and economies of scale involved in combining the electric needs of multiple counties, municipalities, and other institutions and authorities, as well as the potential to pursue the development of a large-scale renewable energy facility, to be operated by an outside company or entity.

"We have an obligation to find ways to fight the effects of climate change," said Chester County Commissioners' Chair Marian Moskowitz. "By our signing onto this plan with our neighboring counties, we hope to encourage other counties, municipalities, and even institutions to join with us. The more partners we ultimately have, and the larger the electric capacity involved, the more competitive renewable electricity costs can be."

Similarly, creating a larger renewable electricity demand would incentivize an energy developer to build a facility to feed electricity into the power grid, reducing partnership members' energy costs and creating green jobs and economic opportunities in southeastern Pennsylvania.

"Suburban Philadelphia counties all working together sends a message that something needs to be done to shift the power market to get more renewable energy facilities online, selling electricity made from non-fossil fuels," said Commissioner Josh Maxwell. "We are eager to explore becoming part of that important evolution."

The development of a large-scale renewable energy partnership could take several years to complete, the Chesco commissioners said. The memorandum of understanding signed in Chester County is designed to start the process of collaborative planning. It does not commit Chester County or its partners to go beyond this first step, but all are hopeful the initial study will clear the way to move forward, according to the Chester County Commissioners' Office.

Chester County was recently included in the list of appropriations secured by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, for funds to install 26 electric vehicle charging stations at 19 different County property locations, such as trailheads, parks, and County buildings. The stations would be funded by a $645,000 federal grant.

"The charging stations are another way in which the County is leading on climate-related issues and facilitating the transition to electric vehicles," said Commissioner Michelle Kichline. "Looking down the road, if we can get to a point where those EV charging stations and the lights in our homes are powered by a renewable energy source, we would be making a great contribution to the environment."

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