philadelphia – Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light

Pennsylvania Solutions for Pollutions Launch Event

This September, the Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is joining with dozens of coalition partners to launch the Solutions for Pollution (S4P) campaign demanding that agencies across the federal government set the strongest possible standards to deliver solutions for pollution.

The “Solutions for Pollution” campaign (S4P) will call on the Biden administration to carry out its responsibilities under our nation’s bedrock environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, by advancing approximately 20 protections across federal agencies that could cut climate pollution in half by 2030, advance vital public health and environmental justice goals, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and create new economic opportunity.

Climate Action Rally + Celebration

Positive climate news has felt hard to come by – but this week, we got an enormous piece of it when we learned Senate Democratic leadership reached an agreement on sweeping climate legislation. This is a huge deal, and is the result of decades of persistent advocacy and activism. We deserve to celebrate!

On Friday, August 5 we’re gathering at noon in Philadelphia to reflect on our successes, (hopefully) celebrate the passage of game-changing federal climate policy, and rejuvenate ourselves for the obstacles we know are still ahead.

If you’d like to let us know you are coming, you can register here.

The fight to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and build a just, equitable energy system is far from over – but taking time to celebrate incremental progress, and to thank our elected officials, is critical. As people of faith, we have a moral obligation to care for our planet. This is a crucial step forward and we should celebrate this victory as climate cannot wait!

Spread the word! Please share this event with your networks. We’d love for your members and partners to come out. You can find the facebook page for the event, some social media graphics, an RSVP landing page, and a partner toolkit that includes all of the above plus some sample email text, for you to adapt however you’d like.

We look forward to seeing you there!

7/21/2022 Rally at Philly EPA – Health Solutions to Pollutions

Join PA IPL for a Rally at the EPA Office Across from Love Park taking place on Thursday, July 21st at 2:00pm!

Health Solutions to Pollutions

Last month the Supreme Court sided with coal companies and their allies, limiting the EPA from setting the kind of highly-effective standards we need. There is still room, however, for the EPA to exercise its authority – and duty – to cut climate pollution. Now it’s time for the Biden administration to act quickly and issue the strongest rule possible.

Come out and take action! On Thursday, July 21 at 2:00pm, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light will hold a rally for Health Solutions to Pollutions outside the EPA’s Philadelphia office across from Love Park.

Confirmed attendees include:
—–* Helen Gym, Philadelphia Council Member
—–* Russell Zerbo, Clean Air Council
—–* Linnea Bond, Physicians for Social Responsibility
—–* Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center
—–* Rep from State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta

We have a moral responsibility as a nation, and a sacred task as people of faith, to care for our climate and to leave a safe and thriving world for future generations. Please share this with your networks and we hope you can join us on Thursday, July 21 outside the EPA’s Philadelphia office!

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There is no fee for this program, but a suggested $5 donation will help us keep doing this work.

Community Health, Climate, and the Failure to Act: Local Health Solutions to Pollutions

July 15, 2022

Philadelphia, PA – Last month the Supreme Court sided with coal companies and their allies, limiting the EPA from setting the kind of highly-effective standards we need. There is still room, however, for the EPA to exercise its authority – and duty – to cut climate pollution.

Today Senator Manchin of West Virginia again dealt a blow to the hope for sufficient let alone substantial and dire investments in mitigating climate change, protecting our environment, and ensuring the health of our communities. Combined with the decision by the Supreme Court to limit the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon pollution from power plants the government is hamstring in its efforts to fight climate change. This means local solutions are more important than ever. We need local leaders today to do everything they can to help our communities suffering from cancer, respiratory illness, and many other effects from pollutants we can control. We can do better. We must do better.

On Thursday, July 21 at 2:00pm, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light will hold a “Health Solutions to Pollution” Rally outside the EPA’s Philadelphia Office 1650 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Confirmed attendees include Philadelphia Council Member Helen Gym, Russell Zerbo of the Clean Air Council, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

We have a moral responsibility as a nation, and a sacred task as people of faith, to care for our climate and to leave a safe and thriving world for future generations.

Who: Councilwoman Helen Gym, Russel Zerbo, the Clean Air Council, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light

What: Rally in support of the Community Health Act and climate investments in the reconciliation bill.

Where: EPA Region 3 Office (1650 Arch Street Philadelphia)

When: 7/21/2022 from 2PM to 4PM

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Interested reporters should RSVP to David Heayn-Menendez – info@paipl.org.

About Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light:
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light inspires and mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. PA IPL is the Pennsylvania affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light, a national religious response to the threat of climate change. We see climate change as a moral issue, one that demands a response from people of faith.

Now Available: Video of Philly IPL Chapter’s April 12th Program!

Can PGW Accelerate Philadelphia’s Clean Energy Transition?

The city-owned Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) acquires, stores, and distributes natural gas to churches, libraries, schools, industry, restaurants, other businesses, and residences in the city of Philadelphia. The gas is used for heating, hot water, cooking, and industrial processes. PGW employees install and repair the network of underground pipes that deliver gas to consumers. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a fossil fuel. When burned it produces CO2, the major greenhouse gas. When natural gas leaks along the way from well to consumer it contributes to global warming because methane itself is a significant greenhouse gas. Natural gas is a large part of Philadelphia’s carbon footprint.

In order to avoid ever worsening effects of climate change, the UN’s IPCC says we must cut in half our use of fossil fuels by 2030 and eliminate them entirely by 2050. What can and should be PGW’s response to this requirement? How do we wean Philadelphia from its natural gas addiction?

The discussion leader at our April PA IPL Philadelphia Chapter meeting is Mitch Chanin. Mitch is a long time Philadelphia climate activist. He was a leader in the opposition to SEPTA developing a gas-fired electric generating station in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Mitch is the co-chair of the Climate Justice Caucus at Reclaim Philadelphia and is also a member of Philly Thrive and Philly DSA. As a volunteer with POWER Interfaith, Mitch is a member of the PGW Just Transition campaign team and has presented testimony to the Philadelphia Gas Commission. We will be talking about the work that has gone on in this area and about the pros and cons of different options for reducing Philadelphia’s reliance on natural gas and encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy.

Sign up here if you would like to join the Philadelphia chapter of PA IPL!

Philadelphia PA IPL Local Chapter Meeting – April 2022

This month’s meeting will be held on April 12th:
Can PGW Accelerate Philadelphia’s Clean Energy Transition?
REGISTER HERE

The city-owned Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) acquires, stores and distributes natural gas to churches, libraries, schools, industry, restaurants, other businesses, and residences in the city of Philadelphia. The gas is used for heating, hot water, cooking, and industrial processes. PGW employees install and repair the network of underground pipes that deliver gas to consumers. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a fossil fuel. When burned it produces CO2, the major greenhouse gas. When natural gas leaks along the way from well to consumer it contributes to global warming because methane itself is a significant greenhouse gas. Natural gas is a large part of Philadelphia’s carbon footprint.

The discussion leader at our April PA IPL Philadelphia Chapter meeting will be Mitch Chanin. Mitch is a long time Philadelphia climate activist. He was a leader in the opposition to SEPTA developing a gas-fired electric generating station in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Mitch is the co-chair of the Climate Justice Caucus at Reclaim Philadelphia and is also a member of Philly Thrive and Philly DSA. As a volunteer with POWER Interfaith, Mitch is a member of the PGW Just Transition campaign team and has presented testimony to the Philadelphia Gas Commission. We will be talking about the work that has gone on in this area and about the pros and cons of different options for reducing Philadelphia’s reliance on natural gas and encouraging the use of clean, renewable energy. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

We look forward to welcoming you on Tuesday, April 12th at 7:00pm via Zoom. If you can’t attend but are interested in the program, please register and we will send you the recording.

Please note:
* The Philly PA IPL’s normal monthly chapter meeting will take place from 7:00 – 7:30pm for chapter members only.
* The program, which is open to all, begins at 7:30pm.

The Philadelphia chapter of PA IPL is very active. Chapter volunteers plan workshops, services, and work in coalition with many other groups bringing faith voices to climate justice and clean energy transition efforts, and they bring climate justice voices to faith work. Their monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM, and are open to everyone. Particular meetings may focus either on planning or on a particular program.

Sign up here if you would like to join the Philadelphia chapter of PA IPL!