Lima joins Power A Clean Future Ohio, Looks to Clean Energy Opportunities for the City’s Environmental and Economic Future
Lima marks the 10th community to join the campaign over the past year
(COLUMBUS, OH)—Today, Mayor David Berger of Lima 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 Berger and city leadership for their bold leadership in embracing clean energy and clean transportation opportunities to support local economic growth and the health and well-being of all who call Lima home,” said Joe Flarida, Executive Director of PCFO. “PCFO launched in February 2020 and Lima marks our 10th community to join this growing coalition of leading communities. We look forward to working the city officials and the community to identify a path forward that benefits all Lima residents.”
“We are proud to make this announcement today and pledge that Lima will work to position itself to prosper in the 21st Century clean energy economy,” said Mayor Berger. “Our community is poised to take advantage of major cost savings and implement climate solutions that will attract private sector development and increase job growth. For the sake of our health and our well-being, we can’t afford not to prioritize sustainability in the city’s plans for the years ahead and I, along with my staff, am looking forward to working with the Power a Clean Future Ohio coalition on these important efforts.”
One of the first planned projects between Lima and Power a Clean Future Ohio is a fleet assessment to better understand the current set of vehicles deployed by the local government, including how to make these vehicles more efficient and transition to affordable, low-maintenance electric drivetrain vehicles. Power A Clean Future Ohio and Clean Fuels Ohio will work directly with city officials to spur the economic growth and development that results from embracing clean energy technologies and advanced transportation.
"Clean Fuels Ohio is excited to work with Lima to determine how electric vehicles can save the city money while also cutting their emissions, said Brendan Kelley, Drive Electric Ohio Director. “We applaud Lima’s forward-thinking leadership and commitment to taking responsibility for both their taxpayers' dollars and their climate impact. We have worked with hundreds of public and private fleets over the past 20 years to achieve financial and sustainability win-wins and have a proven process to support fleets to take smart steps forward."
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 Lima 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 Lima residents.
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