WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners announced today the County’s acceptance by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Green Power Partner.
In its confirmation of the County of Chester as a Green Power Partner, the EPA noted the County’s purchase of 20,460,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the County’s own electricity use.
“By choosing green power, Chester County is helping advance the voluntary market for green power and development of those sources,” noted the EPA in its confirmation.
“Being recognized as a Green Power Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a great honor,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz. “Using green power helps us to reduce air pollution and lower our emissions footprint, and this acknowledgment will, we hope, encourage other local governments, businesses and organizations in the region to do the same.”
By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, Chester County government and other Green Power Partners are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions, including those related to ozone, fine particles, acid rain, and regional haze.
Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell said, “One of the first actions we took as a new Board of Commissioners last year was to appoint members to the County’s Environmental and Energy Advisory Board. Soon after that we signed a renewable electric supply purchase agreement to offset 100% of our electricity supply.
“Actions such as this have helped us to achieve the Green Power Partnership with the EPA.”
Earlier this month, Chester County presented the first draft of its Climate Action Plan which provides a current greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and sets out actions for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency throughout the county. The Climate Action Plan establishes a blueprint for how the county, municipalities, businesses and other stakeholders can reduce their carbon footprint, and it expands on the County’s original 2010 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Report.
“Our Climate Action Plan will help guide us and all of our communities in Chester County as we work together to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “But we know that we must lead by example, which is why the environmental and energy actions that we have taken and will continue to take, and the confirmation that we have received by the EPA as a Green Power Partner, are so important.”
