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Pennsylvania Clean Energy/Ready for 100
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on June 21, 2022, 9:40 amUse this topic to post information, questions, and resources around Clean Energy and Ready for 100.
Use this topic to post information, questions, and resources around Clean Energy and Ready for 100.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on January 5, 2023, 2:37 pmGreenGov News - January 2023
A publication of the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council
Welcome to the January 2023 edition of the Pennsylvania GreenGov News! The GreenGov Council is fast approaching its four-year anniversary with the signing Executive Order 2019-01 by Governor Wolf on January 8, 2019, establishing the first-ever statewide climate goal, as well as commonwealth agency lead-by-example performance goals.
The Commonwealth has made significant progress on our lead-by-example performance goals. Over the first three years, commonwealth operations saw an aggregate 12.3 percent energy usage reduction and we initiated the largest solar procurement of its time by any state or local government entity via PA PULSE. Agencies participated in various energy savings projects, committed to constructing new high-performance green buildings, added charging stations to support electric vehicles, and procured sustainable electronics resulting in being recognized three years in a row by the Global Electronics Council EPEAT program. Learn more about these and other achievements in our annual progress reports.
Along with those milestones, agencies have been working behind the scenes to identify new ways to reduce operational carbon emissions. For example, agencies have completed four years of review and assessments using the GreenGov Agency Certification Checklist. The checklist is a first of its kind tool that measures and supports agency’s increasing their environmental sustainability within core business areas. Over 30 agencies have taken part in evaluating their performance annually using this checklist with results posted on our webpage. Agency staff have also committed their time to participate in numerous GreenGov focus group meetings to share best practices and enhance collaboration between agencies.
We’ve also been innovative when it comes to developing tools and resources based on opportunities and identified needs. We now have a pathway for agencies to pursue high-performance leases during renegotiation or entering new facility lease contracts. GreenGov developed a simple and easy to use energy management system based off the Department of Energy’s ISO 50001 Ready program, which is available for use by anyone inside or outside the commonwealth. We have procurement opportunities for commonwealth agencies or COSTARS members to partner with small businesses to procure energy audits or ENERGY STAR building certifications. Many of these resources are available to review on our website.
The GreenGov Council has also pursued some broader sustainability themes reaching beyond its core environmental sustainability mission. GreenGov Council has collaborated with Penn State Sustainability Institute to provide education on the UN Sustainable Goals, via monthly webinars and a highly successful PA Sustainability Summit held during Sustainability Week in October this year. Commonwealth agencies are assembling agency sustainability teams as required by a recently revised management directive, which we believe will greatly enhance staff’s roles and participation in sustainability outcomes within their agencies. Enhanced sustainability efforts within agencies may lead to more comprehensive business operation strategies that support or align with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks, utilized by many leading businesses and corporations in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for subscribing to the GreenGov News and for your continued support for our mission. In this newsletter, we are highlighting a few of the opportunities showcased during our Sustainability Week from October.
— Mark Hand, Director, GreenGov Council
GreenGov News - January 2023
A publication of the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council
Welcome to the January 2023 edition of the Pennsylvania GreenGov News! The GreenGov Council is fast approaching its four-year anniversary with the signing Executive Order 2019-01 by Governor Wolf on January 8, 2019, establishing the first-ever statewide climate goal, as well as commonwealth agency lead-by-example performance goals.
The Commonwealth has made significant progress on our lead-by-example performance goals. Over the first three years, commonwealth operations saw an aggregate 12.3 percent energy usage reduction and we initiated the largest solar procurement of its time by any state or local government entity via PA PULSE. Agencies participated in various energy savings projects, committed to constructing new high-performance green buildings, added charging stations to support electric vehicles, and procured sustainable electronics resulting in being recognized three years in a row by the Global Electronics Council EPEAT program. Learn more about these and other achievements in our annual progress reports.
Along with those milestones, agencies have been working behind the scenes to identify new ways to reduce operational carbon emissions. For example, agencies have completed four years of review and assessments using the GreenGov Agency Certification Checklist. The checklist is a first of its kind tool that measures and supports agency’s increasing their environmental sustainability within core business areas. Over 30 agencies have taken part in evaluating their performance annually using this checklist with results posted on our webpage. Agency staff have also committed their time to participate in numerous GreenGov focus group meetings to share best practices and enhance collaboration between agencies.
We’ve also been innovative when it comes to developing tools and resources based on opportunities and identified needs. We now have a pathway for agencies to pursue high-performance leases during renegotiation or entering new facility lease contracts. GreenGov developed a simple and easy to use energy management system based off the Department of Energy’s ISO 50001 Ready program, which is available for use by anyone inside or outside the commonwealth. We have procurement opportunities for commonwealth agencies or COSTARS members to partner with small businesses to procure energy audits or ENERGY STAR building certifications. Many of these resources are available to review on our website.
The GreenGov Council has also pursued some broader sustainability themes reaching beyond its core environmental sustainability mission. GreenGov Council has collaborated with Penn State Sustainability Institute to provide education on the UN Sustainable Goals, via monthly webinars and a highly successful PA Sustainability Summit held during Sustainability Week in October this year. Commonwealth agencies are assembling agency sustainability teams as required by a recently revised management directive, which we believe will greatly enhance staff’s roles and participation in sustainability outcomes within their agencies. Enhanced sustainability efforts within agencies may lead to more comprehensive business operation strategies that support or align with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks, utilized by many leading businesses and corporations in Pennsylvania.
Thank you for subscribing to the GreenGov News and for your continued support for our mission. In this newsletter, we are highlighting a few of the opportunities showcased during our Sustainability Week from October.
— Mark Hand, Director, GreenGov Council
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on May 26, 2023, 10:09 amPACleanEnergy.Com Announces Launch of New Online Resource
For municipalities seeking to lower their carbon emissions in Pennsylvania, a cohort of municipal representatives from SEPA has collaborated on a Learning Library for Government based on a series of online sessions designed to assist in developing an energy transition plan unique to your community. This resource is ever more relevant as the March 20th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's AR6 synthesis report conveys the urgency needed for drastic action to avoid the most disastrous impacts from climate change. The tool is available at PACleanEnergy.com.
As a part of this learning library, you will find recordings of the Clean Energy Strategic Planning Series (CESP), which ran from August 2020 - June 2022, along with handouts, slide decks, and a multitude of other helpful documents. CESP Materials.
If you would like more information about initiatating a similar program in your area, please contact Bill at [email protected].
PACleanEnergy.Com Announces Launch of New Online Resource
For municipalities seeking to lower their carbon emissions in Pennsylvania, a cohort of municipal representatives from SEPA has collaborated on a Learning Library for Government based on a series of online sessions designed to assist in developing an energy transition plan unique to your community. This resource is ever more relevant as the March 20th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's AR6 synthesis report conveys the urgency needed for drastic action to avoid the most disastrous impacts from climate change. The tool is available at PACleanEnergy.com.
As a part of this learning library, you will find recordings of the Clean Energy Strategic Planning Series (CESP), which ran from August 2020 - June 2022, along with handouts, slide decks, and a multitude of other helpful documents. CESP Materials.
If you would like more information about initiatating a similar program in your area, please contact Bill at [email protected].
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on November 9, 2023, 2:14 pmPenn Environment Announces New Clean Energy Tool: Renewables on the Rise Dashboard
The Renewables on the Rise dashboard allows you to track the growth of clean energy in your state and around the country. Explore your state’s clean energy progress, then read below for more information on the rise in renewables … and what local and state governments can do to help accelerate the transition to clean energy. Read Full Announcement.
Other Items of Interest:
Penn Environment Announces New Clean Energy Tool: Renewables on the Rise Dashboard
The Renewables on the Rise dashboard allows you to track the growth of clean energy in your state and around the country. Explore your state’s clean energy progress, then read below for more information on the rise in renewables … and what local and state governments can do to help accelerate the transition to clean energy. Read Full Announcement.
Other Items of Interest: