Philadelphia clean energy campaign turned millions invested into billions saved. Here’s how.
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- Philadelphia Energy Campaign generated $1.4 billion in energy savings and $1.3 billion in economic investment, creating over 11,000 jobs since its 2016 launch (10‑year impact report).
- Philadelphia Energy Authority and city partners secured $25.3 million in annual tax revenue and more than $130 million per year in capital investment for efficiency and infrastructure projects.
- Emily Schapira (PEA President & CEO) said the city’s $14.7 million operating budget contribution was turned into $1.3 billion and 11,000 jobs over a decade.
- Darrell Clarke (City Council President) built a coalition that unlocked cross‑agency cooperation, enabling projects such as installing >130,000 LED street lights and cutting electricity use at the Philadelphia Museum of Art by 28%.
- Built to Last program completed energy‑efficiency upgrades for >400 low‑income homes, delivering $300‑$1,000 annual savings per household, while the related Solarize Greater Philadelphia initiative helped >4,300 homeowners, many low‑income, install solar.
Why it matters: Philadelphia residents and low‑income households cut utility bills by billions, while the city gains $25 M+ in annual tax revenue and a stronger tax base, and local jobs and emissions drop.
