The Chester County Commissioners voted today to appoint 15 individuals to the County’s new Environmental and Energy Advisory Board. The members of the Board include Chester County residents along with representatives of businesses, energy initiatives, municipalities, land conservancies and county departments.
“The main goal of the Environmental and Energy Advisory Board – and one of its first tasks – is to establish a Climate Action Plan for Chester County,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marian D. Moskowitz. “The focus and recommendations of this Board will enhance our commitment to preserving and protecting the environment, while balancing energy-related issues.”
The role of the Environmental and Energy Advisory Board is to provide both reviews and recommendations to the Commissioners and county departments which will include best environmental and energy practices in the areas of: buildings, facilities and operations; fuels, vehicles and transportation; food; responsible purchasing; housing; energy sources; air quality; storm water management; natural resource protection; and climate change.
County Commissioner Josh Maxwell noted, “Chester County is privileged to have many expert volunteers who serve on a number of authorities, boards and commissions, and this new Board is no exception. The members of this Board have the expertise, talent, insight and passion to ensure Chester County leads the way on environmental and energy issues.”
Environmental efforts already underway by the County include a 15-year energy performance contract with energy service company Constellation that is implementing water and energy conservation measures within County facilities and that will save millions of dollars and help the County reach its environmental goals.
The members of the new Environmental and Energy Advisory Board are David Busch, Mark Connolly, Carl DeWolf, Jess Cadorette, David Mazzocco, Kevin Warren, Peter Williamson, Jon Altshul, Steve Krug, Meredith Mayer, Scott Neumann, Rachel Roberts, Paul Spiegel, Jim Wiley and Will Williams.
Chester County’s 2018 Citizen Survey revealed that county residents ranked “Maintaining the quality of our water” as their number-one issue. Two goal areas of Landscapes3, Chester County’s comprehensive plan, focus on preserving and protecting the environment.
“Landscapes3 will provide guidance to this Board on some of the County’s current environmental and energy objectives,” said Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “This includes a focus on energy sources and energy conservation measures, the protection and stewardship of open space and farmland, and guarding and restoring critical natural resources.”
An additional task of the Environmental and Energy Advisory Board is to review and advise on making strides towards the Sierra Club’s “Ready for 100” initiative, the national movement to achieve 100 percent clean, renewable and just energy across the U.S. by the year 2050.