A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls for drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change for current and future generations. Sea level rise, more dangerous storms, major flooding, and extreme heat all threaten the lives of millions of people, especially in cities like Philadelphia. All levels of government need to work to lower emissions now, especially methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas and the main component of “natural” (fossil) gas. Methane leaks at every step of the gas supply chain – from extraction to processing to transportation and storage. Once it’s in the atmosphere, methane traps heat up to 86 times more efficiently than carbon dioxide over the first 20 years. Once you burn methane, carbon dioxide and other hazardous pollutants are released into the air.
Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is owned by the City of Philadelphia, and the city can’t reach its climate goals without ending PGW’s use of fossil gas. Every time a new building is fitted with gas hook-ups or new gas heaters, Philadelphia’s climate goals become less attainable, and the city is locked into decades more fossil gas dependence. The future is in renewable energy, and PGW must evolve into a sustainable energy utility that no longer uses fossil gas.
PGW must develop into an entity that offers a variety of renewable energy and energy-saving technologies related to home heating, water heating, and electricity generation, and it needs to start now. We need your help today to make sure Philadelphia and PGW invest in the future with a real plan to get off fossil fuels now.
Donate Now!What Is the Council Asking Philadelphia and PGW To Do to Meet the City’s Climate Goals?
No More New Industrial Gas Infrastructure
PGW must immediately end any plans to expand industrial gas-related facilities in Philadelphia, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants designed to chill and store gas ultimately for export to the highest bidder on overseas markets.
Ban Gas Hook-Ups In New Commercial Buildings
Constructing new buildings that rely on electricity instead of fossil gas needs to be the standard to avoid locking the city into reliance on fossil gas for decades. Electrification of previously fossil fuel appliances is the simplest, cleanest, and cheapest way to cut pollution from our buildings.
Halt Plans to Switch to New Gas Equipment (heaters) in Existing Buildings
Philadelphia will never meet its climate goals if existing commercial customers switch to heaters that run on fossil gas. Amtrak and Independence National Park should halt plans to install new gas boilers and instead choose a non-fossil fuel heating source.
Make a Plan to Transition PGW To All Renewable Energy
Right now, PGW and the City need to develop a real plan with pathways and a timeline for getting off fossil gas, including exploring how PGW could become a utility that offers a variety of renewable energy, such as geothermal, or energy-saving technologies related to heating, water heating, and even electricity generation.
Get PGW Completely Off Fossil Fuels By 2035
PGW must get off fossil fuels completely by 2035 to mitigate its long-term effect on the climate crisis.
Ending PGW’s reliance on the oil and gas industry is critical and Philadelphia residents can’t afford to wait for PGW to do it on its own. Your support means the Council can ramp up a new campaign to apply pressure and make sure the City and PGW make smart choices about Philadelphia’s future.
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