Penn Valley Civic Association

Ready for 100 Lower merion…

Notes from the presentation by Lower Merion resident, Nancy Winkler

5 February 2020

Ready for 100 Lower Merion proposes a renewable energy resolution be adopted by Lower Merion Township including a community wide transition to 100% clean renewable electricity by 2035 and a transition to 100% clean renewable energy in all new construction and when replacing heating systems and transportation equipment by 2050.  They would also like to see the Township vehicle fleet transition to renewable energy sources by 2040. They believe that the Township has demonstrated a commitment to energy efficiency improvements and believe that firm timeline goals are important to further other necessary improvements. See their Facebook page or website for more information.

Key take-aways:

• American Lung Association gives Montgomery County an “F” grade for ozone pollution, signaling the need to produce cleaner energy close to home.  Some current Pennsylvania state laws prohibit communities from purchasing solar power.

• 60% of the PJM (our regional electricity market) grid mix comes from coal and gas - very little from renewables. https://www.pjm.com/markets-and-operations.aspx

• Many other townships in Montgomery County have already passed or are discussing a similar resolution as this one being proposed to LM. 

• Contact your commissioner if you support this resolution.  They need to hear if you care about renewable energy and the environment.  

• Some would argue that Pennsylvania is behind in not requiring a higher percentage of electricity from renewable sources (compared to neighboring states).

• Visit papowerswitch.com to switch to renewable electricity for your home or business.  Residents report that costs are on par with other sources. In general, while renewable power is currently not produced in our state (renewable energy certificates are instead bought and sold), increasing local demand could create a market for eventual local production (if state laws are amenable)

• There is an option to buy renewable gas as well.

Members then did a shared brainstorm for reducing paper and plastic waste at home.  Ideas included:

• Buying shampoo bars wrapped in cardboard packaging instead of plastic bottles.  Ethique is a favored brand by some. Ellen mentioned buying sample packs to try different types first.

• Bringing reusable bags to the grocery store.  Bags for groceries, produce, and bulk items.  

• Carrying a reusable bag to the pharmacy or other non-grocery stores (keep this in the car, bag or a purse)

• Reducing plastic packaging by purchasing meat from meat counters 

• Visit the Township recycling page (which is not current as of 19 Feb 2020 but will soon be updated) to study what may and may not be recycled. Paper milk and juice cartons are now recyclable! Just rinse and put the plastic caps back on before putting these in your regular recycling bins. Remember to keep plastic bags out of recycling bins.

• Visit the Montgomery County Recycling page for tips on recycling and dates for county recycling events

• Composting food waste inside (with worms) or outside in a compost bin

• Buying in bulk to avoid plastic packaging

• Use a washing machine bag insert to capture micro-plastics (from synthetic fabrics like fleece) before they wash into our waterways and contaminate our drinking supply and oceans. Read more about the ubiquitous nature of micro plastics and how you can help here. Consider buying clothing with natural fibers to reduce the amount of micro-plastics shed into the environment.

• Carrying reusable water bottles and cups when going out to events

• Bringing reusable to-go boxes from home when eating at restaurants

• Refusing straws and plastic silverware at restaurants

• Buying laundry detergent strips (packaged in paper) or powdered detergent in cardboard boxes (versus liquid detergents in plastic bottles)

• Using washable cloth napkins (sewing from cotton or buying) instead of paper napkins

• Join the emerging Main Line SHIFT community Facebook page or see their website here for more ideas.