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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the Chief Executive to explore the use of renewable energy sources, specifically solar energy, invest in photovoltaic technology and consider procurement practices that give preference to sustainable energy sources, systems, products and designs within Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, Act 213 of 2004, the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, promotes the use of renewable energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal, bio-mass, waste coal, coal-gasification and coal-mine methane; and
WHEREAS, there are seventeen (17) states, including Pennsylvania, which have adopted such a standard for implementation of renewable energy resources, with Pennsylvania having the largest solar photovoltaic requirement in the nation with a standard of 0.5% by 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association has concluded that, given the high cost of power in the northeastern United States, photovoltaic energy sources will likely become cost-effective in this region before it does in other parts of the country; and
WHEREAS, the implementation, use and maintenance of photovoltaic power sources contribute to the economy and tax base, while also encouraging the growth of new businesses such as solar installation companies, solar supply stores, service contractors and training programs for installers; and
WHEREAS, electricity produced from photovoltaic cells does not result in air or water pollution, deplete natural resources, or endanger animal or human health; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the Pennsylvania standard, when fully met, will result in the reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide by 11.5 million tons, of nitrogen oxide by 27,000 tons, and of sulfur dioxide by 100,000 tons of sulfur dioxide annually; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County has established itself as a leader in Pennsylvania's campaign to produce more environmentally friendly, "green" institutional and office buildings, and wishes to retain its prominent place in the vanguard of governmental environmental responsibility;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1.
Council hereby requests that the Chief Executive investigate the use of photovoltaic energy in County facilities, whether as primary energy sources or as supplements to existing energy sources, and relying upon local industry to the greatest extent practicable. Council further requests that the Chief Executive explore other means of increasing the County's renewable energy use for the benefit of the County's residents and businesses, through cost savings in lower electricity bills, protection and health of the environment and by generating growth to the economy within Allegheny County.
Section 2. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Ordinance which shall be in full force and effect.
Section 3. Repealer. Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Ordinance.