Are you interested in learning about sustainability in Chester County? If so, then be sure to sign up for our Sustainability eNewsletter! Each issue will cover news and stories of the work happening in our communities, as well as tips, and other relevant information regarding sustainability in Chester County. The articles below have been featured in previous issues. Sign up for the quarterly eNewsletter so you don't miss out on any tips and resources not included below.
Winter 2023
View the Winter 2023 Sustainability eNewsletter
Phoenixville Borough Installs the First Hydrothermal Carbonization Wastewater Treatment System in North America
January 2023
Wastewater treatment is a hot topic in Phoenixville Borough! The Borough currently uses an anaerobic digestion system to treat its wastewater, which is already considered a more advanced type of treatment system than the average. Continue reading
Meet Paul Spiegel, Vice Chair of Chester County's Environmental and Energy Advisory Board
January 2023
Paul Spiegel is not afraid of building big things. He started his career as a structural engineer and worked his way up to being Mid Atlantic VP at a firm managing QA/QC for major construction projects like the Wells Fargo Center, Kimmel Center, and Vanguard's Malvern campus. Continue reading
Pick Up PA Season is Almost Here!
January 2023
Pick Up Pennsylvania's Great American Clean Up is scheduled from March 1 through May 31. During this time, clean-up events can receive free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by support from the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and Keep America Beautiful, while supplies last. Continue reading
DCNR Awards Riparian Buffer Restoration Grant to Chester County Department of Parks + Preservation
January 2023
In January the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced awards for its Fall 2022 round of applications to the Community Watershed and Forestry Program. Chester County's Department of Parks + Preservation was awarded a $70,000 grant for a multi-site project that will strengthen the natural resources within the county parks. Continue reading
Inflation Reduction Act Provides Tax Credits and Funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects
January 2023
The Inflation Reduction Act is billed as the most significant action related to climate change ever taken by the US Congress. It was signed into law in 2022 and went into effect on January 1 of this year. Continue reading
Fall 2022
View the Fall 2022 Sustainability eNewsletter
It's Electric!
November 2022
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more common, particularly in southeastern PA. To accommodate their growing popularity and to encourage the transition to electric vehicles, more charging infrastructure is needed. Fortunately, information and funding resources are available to help the transition. Continue reading
Let's Keep Chester County Beautiful!
November 2022
Beautiful landscapes characterize much of Chester County, and this October Chester County took steps to protect the beautiful and healthy environment treasured by so many by becoming a local affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Keep Chester County Beautiful is an initiative administered by the Chester County Planning Commission and will help connect Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful's resources and programs to the greater community. Continue reading
Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority Moves Forward
Fall 2022
Back in April, the Chester County Commissioners joined Berks and Montgomery Counties in approving the creation of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) to oversee and implement the restoration of passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia, including potential stops in Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading. At its most recent meeting on September 19, Authority board members approved the appointment of Thomas Frawley as the organization's first interim executive director. Continue reading
Chester County's Schuylkill River Trail Expansion Boosts Trail Usage
Fall 2022
This past Spring, local officials celebrated the opening of the final stretch of the Schuylkill River Trail in Chester County during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Earth Day (April 22). This $6-million, 4-mile paved extension of the trail –filled one of the only gaps remaining in the 60-mile section of trail between Reading and Philadelphia. The project also included paving of a 6-mile section of the trail between Phoenixville and Parker Ford. With its two new trailheads, this project has expanded access to the trail, which is evident in recent trail usage data. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
Five Minutes with Jess Cadorette
Fall 2022
Jess Cadorette was appointed to the Chester County's Environmental and Energy advisory board in 2020 and has served as its chairperson since then. In her professional life she currently serves as the Field Director for both Conservation Voters of PA and Penn Future — two distinct nonprofit organizations that both advocate for clean air, drinkable water, protected lands, and a healthy climate. Prior to this role she served as CVPA's Chester County Director and PennEnvironment's Climate Defender Organizer for Chester and Delaware Counties. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside in the environment she works to protect. Continue reading
Municipal Spotlight: Sustainable PA Certification
Fall 2022
For local municipalities looking to take on sustainability initiatives and gain recognition for their efforts, the Sustainable PA certification program provides a framework to achieve sustainability goals, save money, conserve resources, and innovate to improve the lives of their residents. Administered by the PA Municipal League and Sustainable Pittsburgh, this free and voluntary municipal certification program was created to assess a local government's level of sustainability and provide a curated list of resources and opportunities to help municipalities improve in ways that are most beneficial and relevant to each unique community. Currently four Chester County municipalities are certified through the program: East Goshen, Caln, and New Garden Townships, and West Chester Borough. Continue reading