✅ Support local leaders and staff ✅ Gain valuable visibility and networking opportunities ✅ Showcase your commitment to Ohio’s clean energy future Sponsor the 2026 Clean Energy Champions Awards! https://bit.ly/4uLwhwM

“This is just a really great example of how just average folks in the neighborhood can come together, decide what's best for the community, what we need to succeed, and approach the city as a partner,” Evans said. https://bit.ly/4fgwcwx

Sponsorships are now available for the 2026 Clean Energy Champions Awards! Help us recognize and celebrate the leaders driving Ohio toward a sustainable, clean energy future: https://bit.ly/4uLwhwM

We are extending the nomination deadline for the 2026 Clean Energy Champions Awards! Check out the categories and submit your nomination by June 9: https://bit.ly/3QDciRR

Join the City of Fairfield, Melink Solar, and Green Umbrella on June 9th for a tour of the City of Fairfield’s solar array at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Learn more and RSVP: https://luma.com/nk70y56i

The City of Oxford recently broke ground on a 1,355 kW solar array at its wastewater treatment facility! The 2,500-panel array is expected to offset 78% of the plant’s energy consumption over its lifetime and save over $13 million. https://bit.ly/4tU6XUe

In 2024, we were proud to recognize Rob McCracken, Energy Manager for the Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability, as a Clean Energy Staff Champion. Nominations are now open for the 2026 Clean Energy Champions Awards! Make a nomination today: https://bit.ly/3QDciRR

Know any local leaders or communities that should be recognized at this year’s Clean Energy Champions Awards? Check out the award categories, then make a nomination by May 29! https://bit.ly/3QDciRR

Lima’s floating solar project is featured in this great story from The Guardian! Congratulations to everyone at the City of Lima who has worked for years to bring this to fruition. Once the project is complete, it is expected to save taxpayers $10 million. https://bit.ly/4us1lB8

“When the Village of Granville became a PCFO community in 2024, we pledged to reduce our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030...This is a meaningful and public-facing project as part of that pledge, and emphasizes a vital partnership...” https://bit.ly/3PeBGgv

Congratulations to Dayton Commissioner Matt Joseph for becoming the longest-serving commissioner in the city’s history! Thank you for your service to the Dayton community, and for your continued leadership on sustainability and clean energy issues. https://bit.ly/4taAtom

Pepper Pike has officially become the 55th member community of PCFO! “Joining Power a Clean Future Ohio gives Pepper Pike access to the expertise and technical support we need to continue advancing our sustainability agenda in a meaningful way,” said Mayor Richard M. Bain. https://bit.ly/4tUhDCY

PCFO Director of Programs Alyssa Johnson joined Eco Meet CLE for a discussion about Ohio’s energy future and the role of local leadership. Thank you to the Eco Speaks CLE podcast for hosting the event!

Nominations are now open for the Clean Energy Champions Awards in Columbus! Our signature biennial event recognizes outstanding local leaders and communities across the state. Check out the award categories, then nominate a community, local leader, or staff member by May 29: https://bit.ly/3QDciRR

Last October, PCFO launched our inaugural Climate Action Planning Cohort! This program supports ten communities as they develop tailored Climate Action Plans. Today’s blog post outlines how the Cohort is taking shape and why peer support is critical. https://bit.ly/4mWpk9d

“Construction will prioritize local electrical contractors and workforce participation, supporting Cincinnati’s growing clean-energy economy.” https://bit.ly/4cqSycJ

To celebrate Earth Day, check out this new blog post! PCFO had the incredible opportunity to co-lead a delegation of Ohio elected officials to the UK, facilitating international dialogue on how local governments can plan for and implement climate action. https://bit.ly/48ibl7E

“By reshoring advanced solar manufacturing, we are helping to bring high-tech production back to the U.S., invest in long-term American jobs and strengthen the nation’s energy independence.” https://bit.ly/3O9HXd3

More clean, affordable energy is coming to Cincinnati! Congratulations to Mayor Pureval, the City of Cincinnati, and the entire project team for breaking ground on the 10-MW Center Hill Solar Project.

The Lake Erie Community Grant Program is now accepting applications! Funding is available for environmental restoration, stormwater improvements, and community resilience projects. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3x3mGox

“Over the first 20 years of operation, Dodson Creek is anticipated to produce approximately $21 million in new tax revenue for Highland County and local townships, school districts and emergency services districts.” https://bit.ly/4tRhAaI

The impact of local leadership! Congratulations to everyone involved at the City of Dayton. “This was a really smart decision for the city, because now locking in this energy over a 25-year period is providing some stability in market pricing.” https://bit.ly/4e0EoAc

“One of the biggest benefits that the proposed community solar array in South Toledo is expected to generate isn’t electricity. It’s $100,000 a year in unrestricted community funds that can be used to rehabilitate neighborhood houses.” https://bit.ly/4159yyQ

The PCFO team was well-represented at this week’s Midwest Climate Summit in Cleveland! Alyssa, Maggie, and Nat presented at different sessions covering the value of local leadership and collaboration. Thank you to the Midwest Climate Collaborative for bringing us together at this important moment.

Last week, the delegation visited the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which is motivating incredible public-private investment in building performance. Thank you to our hosts in the UK, and to all of the local leaders who made the trip from Ohio!

“By going green we are also giving our students additional work-force options. Working with Highland shows just how well things work when the public and private sectors align.” https://bit.ly/4bJdNWR

Our delegation got an up-close look at electric buses soon rolling out on Liverpool roads, then headed to Everton Stadium for a briefing on advanced clean transportation and transit solutions.
 We’re seeing that when local leaders have the authority to act, progress follows!

Our delegation visited Ellesmere Port to tour hydrogen & carbon capture, utilization, & sequestration facilities key to the UK's industrial strategy. The Cheshire West & Chester Council set the vision for a green industrial strategy and convened stakeholders to make it happen!

The PCFO team has officially landed in London for the Ohio–UK Local Delegation! Alongside Ohio mayors and leaders, we’ll spend the week exchanging best practices in clean energy policy, exploring innovative climate solutions, and strengthening opportunities for collaboration!

Canton City Council has approved their Climate Action and Sustainability Plan! “It can help lower costs for our residents, and it can improve air quality and just our experience with our everchanging climate.” https://bit.ly/4uB3tYx

An exciting development from the City of Dayton and SOPEC! “These sites align with Dayton’s broader goals to expand EV infrastructure, reduce transportation emissions, and increase access to clean mobility options for residents and visitors.” https://bit.ly/3NvXkfd

"Our year started in tumult and uncertainty, but for me, it’s ending in optimism." - Joe Flarida, PCFO Executive Director PCFO's 2025 Annual Report is now available on our website! Thank you to our board, staff, and all of our community partners for making this work possible. https://bit.ly/3NrDGBc

Save the date! We’re excited to host the 2026 Clean Energy Champions Awards on October 8th at Ohio State University. Stay tuned for additional details in the coming weeks, including sponsorship opportunities, ticket information, and more. Hope to see you there!

“More than 13 gigawatts of energy storage was installed across the U.S. last year, per a new report from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and BloombergNEF. That’s up from the roughly 12 GW installed in 2024.” https://bit.ly/4rzOZGd

“It’s really targeted for organizations that may have had a hard time accessing federal grant opportunities to begin with. So this particular opportunity, I would say, is relatively independent of the federal political climate,” Pritchard said. https://bit.ly/4qOfqqp

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is featuring eight Black Americans this month who bettered their communities – and the entire world – by influencing the technologies and policies we rely on to heat and cool our homes and protect our environment. Check it out: https://bit.ly/4cJMdcO

ICYMI: The EPA announced it is rescinding the 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health, a determination that has underpinned federal climate regulations for more than a decade. https://bit.ly/3OydJjv

Power a Clean Future Ohio condemns the EPA’s decision to repeal the endangerment finding. This decision disregards settled law to benefit major polluters while shifting the financial burden onto communities that can least afford it. Our statement: https://bit.ly/4awxWOb

Need a backup generator? If you own an electric vehicle, you might already have one! More than 600,000 EVs across the country can serve as an emergency power source. https://bloom.bg/4qri7hH

Congratulations to the City of Fairfield for launching an interactive sustainability dashboard to track their progress and increase transparency! Explore the dashboard: https://sustainability.fairfield-city.org/

“Based on market trends, the city estimates it will lead to $42 million in savings for program customers…” https://bit.ly/4aK8qpJ

"Solar panels on the roof allow the all-electric homes to produce more energy than they use, keeping utility bills low." https://bit.ly/4tjmT3b

“By improving our energy policies to reflect business desires, companies seeking clean, affordable power will invest, expand and innovate in Ohio.” https://bit.ly/4awpJdN

PCFO’s Maggie Heiser and Nat Ziegler had a great time at the MEEA Midwest Energy Solutions Conference in Chicago this week! A big congratulations to Anand Natarajan, Assistant Director for the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability in Cleveland, who was honored with the Champion of Energy Equity Award!

"Solar growth was essential in helping to meet fast-rising electricity demand in 2025." https://bit.ly/3LVvatw

Thank you to all of the PCFO communities, including Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Gahanna, and Lima, for opposing this effort to scale back Ohio’s net-metering system. Regulators were right to stop AEP from rolling it back. https://bit.ly/4k8msF1

Exciting update from Montgomery County and the City of Dayton! "A multi-million dollar northwestern Dayton solar farm that could power more than 13,000 homes in Montgomery County is expected to be operational by 2026." https://bit.ly/49xut2r

“Beginning this summer, Fairfield’s electric cost to run its wastewater treatment plant is expected to drop dramatically. That’s when a field containing an array of 3,000 solar panels is expected to go online.” https://bit.ly/4qvyZo1

Check it out: the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County were recognized on the '2025 CDP Cities A List' for demonstrating leadership in environmental transparency. https://cdp.net/en/data/scores#cities-a-list

Congratulations to the City of Lancaster for winning a grant to "install LED lighting, update boilers, and complete building envelope upgrades with annual utility savings of 18.3%"! https://bit.ly/49n5Vcs