Bexley joins Power A Clean Future Ohio, Looks to Clean Energy Opportunities for the City’s Environmental and Economic Future

(COLUMBUS, OH)—Today, Mayor Ben Kessler of Bexley announced that the city will join Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO), a nonpartisan coalition and campaign that is dedicated to working with local communities to develop equitable clean energy solutions to benefit the well-being of residents, the environment, and the economy.

“We applaud Mayor Kessler and the commitment of the entire community on embracing a bold path for sustainability and clean energy. These priorities are not just good for the environment, but they support economic growth and the health and well-being Bexley residents,” said Joe Flarida, Executive Director of PCFO. “Bexley is the 11th community to join this growing coalition of leading cities across Ohio.”

“I’m proud of the leadership our community has demonstrated and we are excited to work in partnership with Power a Clean Future Ohio and other local governments to build a clean energy economy in Ohio that works for everyone,” said Mayor Kessler. “Supporting clean and renewable energy is incredibly important to us. We are a forward-thinking community, and I'm excited to find new cost-effective solutions that benefit businesses, residents and our environment by partnering with Power A Clean Future Ohio.”

Green Bexley and the city’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee are working with the City to accomplish its Zero Waste objective by 2040. There are a number of opportunities available to the city in their work with Power a Clean Future Ohio that can build off of the community’s ongoing sustainability projects. Deploying additional electric vehicles, considering electric aggregation for residential clean energy, and creating new opportunities for residents, businesses, and government operations to reduce energy waste.

In 2019, 114,000 people were employed in clean energy jobs throughout the state, and Ohio auto manufacturers are planning major investments to build more electric vehicles in Ohio in the coming years. In addition, 39 companies that are either headquartered in Ohio or are among the state’s 100 largest employers have dedicated plans to be powered by 100% renewable energy by a specific date.

Local communities like Bexley are joining with these employers in making a commitment to spur the economic growth and development that results from embracing clean technologies and advanced transportation. The jobs of the future are in clean energy and clean transportation.

Utilizing clean energy sources also improves air quality, a significant issue for the state. Ohio ranks 46th in the nation in asthma rates for children ages 0-17. Poor air quality is a major contributor to asthma rates, particularly in disproportionately impacted communities, which is the leading reason for hospital ER visits in this age group. Developing innovative solutions to harmful air pollution will also serve to protect the health of all Bexley residents.