Power Local Green Jobs Banner Drop

Philadelphia, PA – Today, grandparents, teachers and community members acting with Earth Quaker Action Team unfurled a banner saying “PECO: create solar jobs now!” on the Spring Garden bridge during rush hour.

Ryan Leitner, campaign organizer with EQAT, had the following statement about the action:

“Our city will thrive when all of us can access good jobs and lead healthy lives. Meanwhile, PECO is angling to raise electric rates and polluting our air, while it profits more than $1 million per day off of its ratepayers. PECO’s inexcusable actions must be exposed, so today we unfurled a banner that told that story.”

“Climate change-fueled storms, pollution, and poverty are immediate threats to Philadelphia’s neighborhoods – especially communities of color and people living in poverty. Across the region, vulnerable communities are doing their part to pave the way, showing that cheaper solar can lower customer bills and create family-sustaining jobs.”

“We condemn PECO’s reliance on dirty electricity and its proposed rate hike. Instead of padding shareholder pockets, PECO must innovate to lower customer bills and deliver the clean power we need.”

“We demand PECO source 20% local solar by 2025, and put its money where jobs and lower energy bills are needed most.”

Power Local Green Jobs is a faith-based economic justice campaign led by Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) and Philadelphians Organized to Witness Empower and Rebuild (POWER). Begun in 2015, the campaign uses nonviolent direct action to pressure PECO, the largest utility in PA, to spur job growth through solar expansion in areas with high unemployment. Learn more at www.powerinterfaith.org and www.eqat.org.