Rally Against Rate Hikes, Free ‘How City Council Works’ Training, Native Plants Guide & more

Representative Chris Rabb speaks at rally at PJM headquarters

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

25 Philly-Area Solar for Schools grants awarded. Lawmakers and educational leaders hope that the funds for green energy projects will help lessen the burden of rising energy costs. Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, who introduced the program, said that projects throughout the state range from solar panel arrays in open fields to compact panels on city school roofs. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Consumer and energy advocates rally against rising energy costs as PJM blocks clean energy. Regional grid operator PJM powers the mid-Atlantic and will be increasing electricity bills in June by as much as $30 per month due to a reliance on fossil fuels. On Wednesday morning, representatives from the Sierra Club, HERE4CJ, POWER Interfaith, and state officials rallied outside of PJM headquarters to urge the grid operators to clear the backlog of nearly 3,000 energy projects, most of them renewable energy projects, which have a lower price tag in the long run.

Free “How City Council Works” training. The Committee of 70 and Philly Documenters hosted a “How City Council Works” training on Wednesday night to clarify City Council’s agenda and legislation process. You can view the recording of the training and read the slides.

Water Department proposes rate hikes for 2025. PWD is determining its budget and rates for 2025 and 2026. PWD is requesting a rate increase of 11.7% for residential customers in 2025 and an additional 5.9% in 2026. Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson has spoken out against the proposed rates, which will be determined in July.

Learn how to grow native plants. Gardening season is here, and local gardeners are encouraging Philadelphians to grow native plants. Native plants can be low-maintenance, and they attract pollinators, which keep the whole garden thriving. City Cast Philly

Cover photo: Representative Chris Rabb speaks to clean energy advocates outside of PJM headquarters. Courtesy of Clear Point PA

Angie Bacha

Angie Bacha (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based solutions journalist and recent Erasmus Mundus Master's in Journalism, Media and Globalisation student in Aarhus, Denmark. Previously, she worked as a student journalist at Community College of Philadelphia and Editorial Intern at Resolve Philly. Some other hats she has worn: Human Rights and Theatre Studies graduate; teaching artist; carpenter; AmeriCorps volunteer; and rock climbing gym shift supervisor.