OPPORTUNITY FOUND IN THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION

Scientists and climate experts agree that to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change, we must cut our emissions in half by 2030 and reduce them to net zero by 2050 by transitioning our electricity, heating, and transportation to clean and renewable energy. There are many co-benefits to this clean energy transition to our local community—from economic, health, to social.

For example, clean and renewable energy preserves the local economy by keeping more energy dollars local, creating local jobs, and lowering costs for all ratepayers:

LOCALIZE ENERGY SPENDING: In 2012, northern New England spent more than $12.4 billion on energy, 66% of which was spent on imported fossil fuels. That's $8.2 billion leaving our local economy to support our energy demands! Transitioning to clean and renewable energy will help keep more of our energy dollars circulating in our local economy.
JOB CREATION: The renewable energy transition will also create more jobs than if we stayed with fossil fuels: On average, $1 million invested in clean and renewable energy results in the creation of 16.7 new jobs—the same amount invested in fossil fuels only creates 5.3 jobs.
LOWER COSTS FOR ALL: Renewable energy sources don’t just benefit those directly involved — research shows that renewable energy sources can help lower electricity costs for all ratepayers. A recent study found that from 2014 to 2019, New Hampshire ratepayers saved over $83 million thanks to local solar!

PEA at Peterborough Select Board Meeting

December 1, 2020