Representatives Gainey and Ravenstahl join PennEnvironment to highlight clean energy solutions in Pittsburgh

PennEnvironment

PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, PennEnvironment was joined by State Representatives Ed Gainey and Adam Ravenstahl to hold a clean energy forum promoting clean energy solutions and calling on Pennsylvania to transition to 100% renewable energy as quickly as possible. With record heat waves and torrential downpours hitting the state, and wildfires burning across the west coast, the need for clean energy solutions and moving off of fossil fuels to solve climate change could not be any clearer.

“Eliminating the use of fossil fuels here in the Commonwealth would save consumers money, reduce harmful air pollution, and combat climate change”, said Rebecca Shaffer, Climate Defender Organizer for Allegheny County at PennEnvironment. “We applaud State Representatives Gainey and Ravenstahl for cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to make Pennsylvania a leader in tackling climate change.”

The state elected officials in attendance have both cosponsored legislation in the General Assembly that would require Pennsylvania to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. This legislation is HB2132 in the state House and SB1140 in the state Senate.

State Representative Adam Ravenstahl said, “We must continue to adopt measures that will protect our environment.  Transitioning to renewable energy will protect the public’s health, our air and our water.  I am happy to co-sponsor House Bill 2132.”

Speakers including Representatives Gainey and Ravenstahl, City Councilperson Strassburger, Dr. Ned Ketyer, pediatrician, Ciora Williams and Matt Dean from New Voices Pittsburgh, and Will Brown of Solbridge, LLC. spoke on the importance and practicality of shifting Pennsylvania to renewable energy by 2050. Following the speeches, event attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a beer with their elected officials.

“A direct result of climate change, Pittsburgh is experiencing more frequent landslides, power outages, and flooding, costing taxpayers millions in remediation costs. Investing in clean energy and reducing our consumption of energy are the most effective ways to combat climate change and mitigate the impact of these shocks and stressors,” said Councilperson Erika Strassburger. “I look forward to working with leaders from all levels of government to build a more resilient and sustainable Pittsburgh for future generations.”

Pennsylvania currently has over 85,000 jobs in the clean energy sector, a number which will only climb as the Commonwealth continues to invest in renewable energy. Despite Pennsylvania’s long standing history in fossil fuel extraction, the clean energy sector now has more jobs than all fossil fuel sectors combined. Today’s event showed the strong economic potential from transitioning to 100% renewable energy.

Dr. Ned Ketyer, pediatrician at Pediatric Alliance in Pittsburgh and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health, said, “A policy that replaces dirty fossil fuels with 100% clean, renewable energy helps solve the region’s chronic air pollution and water pollution problems and goes a long way in solving the manmade climate catastrophe happening right now — two crises that disproportionately affect the youngest, the oldest, the poorest, and the sickest among us.”

The event attendees and elected officials committed to continue working together to fight climate change and bring about a 100% renewable energy future, helping to ensure a livable climate for future generations of Pennsylvanians.

PennEnvironment is holding events like this throughout the Commonwealth to educate local residents and elected officials, and to increase activism and engagement in the fight to solve climate change.

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PennEnvironment is a citizen-based, statewide environmental advocacy organization working to ensure clean air, clean water, and protecting Pennsylvania’s great natural heritage. For more information about this and other PennEnvironment projects, visit www.PennEnvironment.org.