Toledo joins Power A Clean Future Ohio, Local Leaders Demonstrate Commitment to Climate Action and Clean Energy
(COLUMBUS, OH)— Toledo City Council officially passed a resolution to join Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO). PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and partnerships to build on Toledo’s leadership in sustainability and clean energy. This work will ultimately help reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 as set in the resolution. 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 the meeting on Tuesday, July 20, Toledo City Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
Joe Flarida, Executive Director of Power a Clean Future Ohio said, “This announcement is another moment of leadership for the City of Toledo in the community’s collective work to create sustainable economic growth and protect our environment. Toledo’s commitment to clean energy and sustainability is well-documented and most recently the city was ranked #1 in environmental sustainability by Site Selection magazine. We are thrilled to welcome Toledo as the 17th city to join Power a Clean Future Ohio and look forward to our work together. In doing this work together our aim will be to save the city and taxpayer money, while preserving the environment and fostering new job opportunities for community members.”
Council Members Nick Komives and Sam Melden sponsored the resolution to join PCFO and have been a leading voice on Council on these issues.
“Local governments have a unique opportunity to address energy and climate issues in our state and to move toward clean energy generation and greater community resiliency and quality of life,” said Councilman Nick Komives, Council Member At-Large. “Our goal by joining PCFO is to provide environmentally healthy and cheaper-to-operate public buildings; encourage new economic development and local jobs while supporting local renewable energy production.”
“Our city was just named by Site Selection Magazine as #1 in environmental sustainability beating out other major metro areas across the country,” said Councilman Sam Melden, Council Member for District 5. “We have made ongoing sustainability efforts a key priority for our city and we believe joining PCFO is another way we’re showing our community, residents, and businesses that we’re listening and know that being part of an environmentally responsive city is a priority for everyone.”
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz also shared his vision for this work: “I’m proud of the work Toledo is doing to plan for the future – whether it’s clean energy development or electric vehicle manufacturing – we know the jobs of the future are changing and Toledo must be ready. Over the past several years, our city and the region has taken a number of steps to support a rapid transition to clean energy technologies. I look forward to partnering with this expansive coalition to further that work.”
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 Toledo residents.
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 Toledo 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.