Sad, sad news for local clean energy today.

Just days after Obama declared ‘Climate Change as a fact’, Clean Currents, based out of Silver Spring Maryland (with local offices in Philadelphia) informed its employees that it is closing after switching over 15,000 individuals and 3,000 businesses to wind power since 2005.

The company couldn’t handle the spike in electricity prices from the polar vortex and was forced to close up shop, according to close sources. Let me repeat that: A clean energy company couldn’t handle the effects from the polar vortex, which is likely due to climate change.

This is a sad day for environmentalists in Philadelphia, as supporting local companies like Clean Currents is crucial to the fight against climate change (and fracking in PA). We’ll also miss our friends’ clean energy talks and faces all over the local green events in Philly.

Clean Currents helped raise over $22,000 community greening projects, including Philly-based initiative Lots of Power and masterminds behind spokesman Dave Greene.

Current customers will be reverted to utility soon, but luckily there are other clean energy sources available.

array(2) {
  [0]=>
  object(WP_Term)#12733 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2366)
    ["name"]=>
    string(13) "breaking news"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(13) "breaking-news"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2377)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(4)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [1]=>
  object(WP_Term)#12719 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2539)
    ["name"]=>
    string(14) "Clean Currents"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(14) "clean-currents"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2551)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(5)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
}

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher