Decarbonization Leadership Award
The Decarbonization Leadership Award will be presented to the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability for climate-forward initiatives including the Adams Solar Project, attainment of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, and pursuit of ambitious decarbonization goals.
Completed in 2024, the Adams Solar facility in Adams County supplies approximately 25% of the electricity used by Philadelphia’s municipal buildings through a Power Purchase Agreement with the Philadelphia Energy Authority.
The City’s 2030 targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions from City-owned buildings and streetlights by 50%, reducing energy consumption of city operations by 20%, and generating or buying 100% of all electricity from renewable resources.
These goals are advanced by clean energy procurement as well as by energy-efficiency improvements like the recent replacement of high pressure sodium streetlights with LED lighting.
“Philadelphia is not just talking about making our city greener, we’re actually leading by example,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “That’s Philadelphia’s way with partners like the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. We’re going to keep leading, keep innovating, and keep building the cleanest, greenest big city in America.”
“We are grateful to be recognized for our leadership decarbonizing Philadelphia municipal government, through initiatives like the recently completed citywide streetlight upgrades that were made possible through Pennsylvania’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Act. Initiatives like this demonstrate how reducing emissions can deliver benefits seen and felt across the city, including workforce development opportunities, lowered costs, and improved quality of life for residents,” said Liz Lankenau, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “We look forward to continue collaborating across government partners, community organizations, and residents to achieve our municipal climate and energy goals.”
Chief Deputy Mayor Sinceré Harris will accept the award on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.
Watershed Restoration Leadership Award
The Watershed Restoration Leadership Award will be presented to the Philadelphia Water Department for the long-anticipated restoration of the Flat Rock Dam on the Manayunk Canal.
Once a vital shipping corridor, the Manayunk Canal was cut off from the main channel of the Schuylkill River when the dam was decommissioned in the 1940s.
For years its waters remained stagnant, giving rise to harmful algal blooms (HABs) that degraded water quality and depressed nearby property values.
Thanks to a decades-long effort by PWD, the canal is now a recovering ecosystem. HABs have been replaced by restored habitats full of native aquatic life, while increased water flow has set the stage for re-introduction of freshwater mussels that further improve water quality by filtering out sediment and nutrients.
“About forty percent of the city’s drinking water comes from the Schuylkill River, so it’s a priority for us to protect these sources,” said Kelly Anderson, Director of PWD’s Office of Watersheds. “Seeing fish returning and the ecology improving in the Manayunk Canal, it shows us how our drinking water quality is improving as well. And it’s something the community can see and feel.”
PWD’s design eliminated safety hazards, enhanced visibility from the adjacent Schuylkill River Trail, and included green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) features to help manage stormwater — all while preserving original historic structures from the Industrial Revolution.
The annual Environmental Partnership Dinner recognizes exceptional leaders and organizations working to restore natural resources and make Pennsylvania a cleaner, healthier and better place to live for all.
“Each year, these awards remind us of the incredible work happening locally and all across Pennsylvania to advance sustainability, restore our natural resources, and strengthen our communities,” PEC President Tom Gilbert said. “From advancing renewable energy and decarbonization to restoring waterways and ecosystems, the recipients of this year’s awards truly embody leadership in sustainability and innovation.”
For ticket information, visit the PEC Philadelphia Environmental Partnership Dinner webpage.
Click Here for the PEC announcement.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.
Related Article:
-- PA Environmental Council: ‘You Are Not Alone:’ Thousands Of Pennsylvanians Are Working To Protect, Restore The Environment [PaEN]
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