PECO’s Fixing the Power Line, but is it Fixing the City?
Here we go again. Another storm smashes into Philadelphia. Thousands lost power. PECO workers moved fast to repair downed lines. We hope and pray that everyone is safe.
What would it look like if PECO didn’t just go all-in to fix up the city after major storms? What if PECO instead invested year-round in our city, helping to create well-paying green jobs and build wealth in Philly neighborhoods, like North Philly, that have seen blight and unemployment?
That’s what EQAT’s campaign is about: pushing PECO to buy its solar power here locally, from roofs in North Philly. It already has to buy a tiny percentage of its power in solar, and it should be buying more. But instead of investing here in Philly, it’s looking all over the place for that power.
Philly can become a green energy hub — but right now we’re lagging behind our neighbor, New Jersey.
In 2015, New Jersey had the second most installations of small-scale solar in the country. Pennsylvania, on the other hand, hangs behind at 9th. Obviously the sun doesn’t shine any brighter on the eastern side of the Delaware River. The difference between the two states has to do with politics.
The stakes are high. The intense weather we’ve seen this year is just a preview of what’s to come if climate change isn’t addressed. Solar energy can help reduce our greenhouse emissions while also boosting jobs. Cooperatively owned solar allows communities to become energy producers and benefit directly from the wealth generated.
PECO, it’s time to come in from the cold, and commit to investing in our city.
