Cleveland Heights joins Power A Clean Future Ohio Highlighting Commitment to a Cleaner Energy Future
(COLUMBUS, OH)— On Monday, the Cleveland Heights City Council officially passed a resolution to join Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) and set a goal of reducing emissions by 30% by 2030 below 2021 levels. PCFO will work with the city to implement measurable, cost-effective, and achievable plans to grow the local clean energy economy and integrate sustainability into the city’s long-term planning. Power A Clean Future Ohio is a nonpartisan coalition and campaign that is dedicated to working with local communities to develop equitable clean energy solutions to benefit the well-being of residents, the environment, and the economy. During Monday’s city council meeting, Cleveland Heights City Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
Joe Flarida, Executive Director of Power a Clean Future Ohio said, “The City Council and the administration for Cleveland Heights are demonstrating real leadership in addressing our collective environmental challenges and planting the seeds for long-term economic growth in growing the local clean energy economy through their work with us. Passing this resolution puts Cleveland Heights on the map as an environmental leader in our state and emerging clean energy champion. PCFO is ready to get to work with city leaders to help build a clean energy future that benefits all Cleveland Heights residents.”
Council Vice President Kahlil Seren sponsored the resolution to join PCFO and has been a leading voice on council on these issues. Vice President Seren said, “Joining Power a Clean Future Ohio is the first step in living up to our city’s values on environmental justice and prioritizing pragmatic, forward-thinking policy that benefits everyone that calls our city home. I’m proud that Cleveland Heights became the 15th PCFO Community and that we are helping drive the conversation in our region. We are ready to lead on clean energy and build an economy that protects our environment and builds on the progress we’ve already made in ensuring we all have clean air to breathe and that local workers and students have access to the emerging career opportunities in these sectors.”
In 2019, 114,000 people were employed in clean energy jobs throughout the state, and Ohio auto manufacturers are planning major investments to build more electric vehicles in Ohio in the coming years. In addition, 39 companies that are either headquartered in Ohio or are among the state’s 100 largest employers have dedicated plans to be powered by 100% renewable energy by a specific date.
Local communities like Cleveland Heights are joining with these employers in making a commitment to spur the economic growth and development that results from embracing clean technologies and advanced transportation. The jobs of the future are in clean energy and clean transportation.
Utilizing clean energy sources also improves air quality, a significant issue for the state. Ohio ranks 46th in the nation in asthma rates for children ages 0-17. Poor air quality is a major contributor to asthma rates, particularly in disproportionately impacted communities, which is the leading reason for hospital ER visits in this age group. Developing innovative solutions to harmful air pollution will also serve to protect the health of all Cleveland Heights residents.
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