Chester County Planning Commission Creates New Sustainability Division
Fall 2022
In March of this year the Chester County Planning Commission formed a new Sustainability Division to assist municipalities and other stakeholders in implementing the County's Climate Action Plan and advancing sustainability initiatives within county government and the greater Chester County community. In addition, the division interfaces with the County's Environmental and Energy Advisory Board. Some early initiatives include:
- Conducting an inventory of municipal solar ordinances and providing guidance for using ordinances to promote the expansion of solar power;
- Providing information on funding opportunities and coordinating regional applications for funding for projects related to clean energy transition, land preservation and stewardship, water quality protection, and waste reduction;
- Starting a county affiliate group of Keep PA Beautiful to support the efforts of local beautification and litter abatement groups;
- Providing educational programs and networking opportunities for municipalities and other stakeholders.
Rachael Griffith (photo middle) serves as the Sustainability Division director, who will lead the division's work and will be the primary point of contact for county departments, municipalities and community organizations on sustainability initiatives. Rachael is a registered landscape architect and certified planner and previously served as the Trails and Open Space Planner at CCPC.
Carrie Conwell (photo right) is a senior environmental planner who has been with CCPC for 18 years. She is highly experienced in the regulatory environment related to environmental planning from water and public sewer service to stormwater management. Carrie coordinates the county's award-winning Pipeline Information Center and serves as project manager for several of the Sustainability Division's initiatives.
Carol Stauffer (photo left) is the Planning Commission's Assistant director and lends her expertise in ordinance writing and community and environmental planning. Carol led the process of creating the county's first Climate Action Plan and is involved in regional sustainability initiatives with partners at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Reach out to the Sustainability Division at Sustainability@chesco.org.