Youngstown joins Power A Clean Future Ohio
Action Reaffirms Commitment to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(COLUMBUS, OH)— On May 18, the Youngstown City Council voted to adopt a resolution joining Power a Clean Future Ohio, furthering the community’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
PCFO will work with local leaders to provide technical assistance and work with the city staff as they develop a roadmap for achieving their carbon reduction and sustainability goals. With passage of this resolution, Youngstown became the 31st community to join Power a Clean Future Ohio. With this action, more than one-third of Ohio residents now live in a community or county that is part of the Power a Clean Future Ohio initiative.
Power a Clean Future Ohio is a nonpartisan coalition 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.
Joe Flarida, executive director of Power a Clean Future Ohio said, “We are so proud to have the City of Youngstown joining Power a Clean Future Ohio. Youngstown has long been known for hard-working people and cutting-edge innovation. By bringing both together with the assistance of Power a Clean Future Ohio, we look forward to what we can do together to reduce carbon emissions and foster economic growth.”
As detailed in the resolution, Youngstown plans to appoint a PCFO coordinator for implementation of the city’s participation in the effort. The city also plans to facilitate the involvement of community members and other government agencies in the equitable planning, promoting and/or implementing of PCFO policies.
Councilwoman Lauren McNally said, “To stay competitive moving forward, we must begin to focus on the diversification of energy and transition of industry. This will require a commitment from our cities to ensure that the next generations of our residents are ready to tackle new technologies head on. Youngstown is ready to work with Power a Clean Future Ohio to develop a plan to bring advanced technologies to our city today.”
Developing innovative solutions to harmful air pollution will serve to protect the health of all residents of Youngstown. Just five years ago, the American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report listed the Youngstown area as one of the most polluted in the nation for both ozone and particulate matter pollution. In April 2022, the same report issued Youngstown an A grade for ozone pollution and a B for particulate matter. By addressing air quality and transportation pollution, Youngstown has made a commitment to continue this progress moving forward.
Councilwoman Anita Davis said, “Working with Power a Clean Future Ohio will allow us to develop a sustainability plan that reduces harmful carbon emissions and allows us to safeguard the health of our families. Developing a productive workforce starts by ensuring we have healthy employees who are proud to live in this city and be part of efforts to see it thrive.”
In 2020, 103,400 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.
Cities like Youngstown are joining with these employers in making a commitment to spur the economic growth and job development that results from embracing clean technologies and advanced transportation. Youngstown is prepared to move the city into a clean energy future while reducing harmful carbon emissions.
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