Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Terence Farrell (back row left and right) accept “Ready for 100” postcards from county students and young professionals (front row left to right) Paige Vermeulen, Isaac Harte and Chloe Powell, and (back row center left and right) Kara Thorpe and Brittany Flynn.
Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Terence Farrell met with county students and young professionals on Global Climate Strike Day to receive hundreds of “Ready for 100” postcards, and to discuss what actions Chester County government has taken and is taking to address energy and environmental challenges.
Isaac Harte, a 12-year-old student at Delaware Valley Friends School was joined by West Chester University student Paige Vermeulen; WCU grad Kara Thorpe; Chloe Powell, a West Chester-based speech therapist; and Brittany Flynn, an employee at Vanguard. The group explained the purpose of their meeting with the Commissioners – in addition to presenting the postcards, they were there to discuss what changes can be made and actions taken together in Chester County to address climate change.
Isaac Harte also gave his account of the Climate Strike event held earlier that day at City Hall in Philadelphia.
Commissioners Kichline and Farrell shared with the group key actions that Chester County government has taken over the years, notably the 30-year investment in open space preservation, recently validated by the “Return on Environment” study as a tremendous economic as well as environmental benefit to Chester County residents. In addition, the Commissioners shared details of current initiatives including the energy performance program the County is undertaking and the newly established Environment and Energy Advisory Board which will create a Climate Action Plan for Chester County and focus on the balance, interplay and impact of energy related initiatives and issues.
Commissioner Kichline and Commissioner Farrell also confirmed that the Environment and Energy Advisory Board will review and advise on ways that Chester County can make strides towards “Ready for 100”, the Sierra Club’s national movement to achieve 100 percent clean, renewable and just energy across the U.S. by the year 2050.
Chester County government is also participating in the Chester County Clean Energy Tour on Saturday, October 19th, a day of open house self-guided tours in businesses, schools, universities, farms, non-profits, municipalities and homes throughout Chester County. All three County Commissioners endorse the event and details are found at www.nationalsolartour.org/localtours/chester-county.
