PLGJ Campaign
Photo by Rachael Warriner
In 2015 EQAT launched its second campaign —Power Local Green Jobs (PLGJ)
The campaign used nonviolent, direct action to demand that PECO, Pennsylvania’s largest utility company, make a major shift to locally generated solar power that would benefit low income communities and communities of color. The campaign brought together EQAT and POWER, a broad multi-faith network of 60 congregations, to address three critical issues: underemployment, crumbling infrastructure, and climate change.
PECO profited $1 million dollars every day from the dirty electricity it sold — condemning low income communities, communities of color, and everyone to immeasurable losses in health, economy, and quality of life. We knew that 20% local solar could start to heal the damage from dirty electricity. It was past time for sensible energy that allowed us all to flourish.
Our campaign called on PECO to spur local jobs and support the regional economy by purchasing 20% solar energy in its service area. Doing this would create thousands of good paying jobs for local workers, lower electricity bills for families, schools and churches, and turn PECO away from fueling devastating climate change.
Photo by Rachael Warriner