By The Energy Co-op Staff – 4/23/25 

This Earth Month, we’re highlighting key renewable energy and climate developments in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania to show that, even while climate progress lags on the federal level, meaningful change can still be made locally and state-wide. This week, we spoke with sustainability professionals at three PA-based nonprofits that are helping communities get involved in the fight against climate change and pollution. Scroll down to watch interviews with Hilary Naiberk from Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Ellie Kerns from PennEnvironment, and read our interview with Devin McDougall from EarthJustice

Hilary Naiberk – Co-lead, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Philadelphia Chapter

Ellie Kerns – Climate and Clean Energy Advocate, PennEnvironment

Devin McDougall – Senior Attorney, EarthJustice

How is your organization working to engage local communities in climate action, especially in historically underserved areas?

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm with offices around the country, including here in Philadelphia. We provide high-quality legal representation free of charge to clients who are on the front lines of fighting to protect their communities from climate change. This helps level the playing field against their adversaries, who generally have more access to resources and lawyers.

What types of collaborative opportunities exist between your organization and other local organizations and businesses that can lead to joint climate action, such as community events, sustainability campaigns, or shared environmental goals?

We are always interested in talking to potential clients to learn about their climate objectives and determine whether we may be able to assist. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can reach me at dmcdougall@earthjustice.org.

What are the most significant clean energy cases (currently in progress or recently completed) that affect your local community? / Can you share any success stories or recent milestones your organization has achieved in advancing climate resilience or reducing carbon emissions locally?

Last year, we represented a coalition of environmental and community groups (POWER Interfaith, Sierra Club of PA, Clean Air Council, Physicians for Social Responsibility of PA, PennEnvironment, and Vote Solar) in reaching a settlement with PECO that resulted in PECO agreeing to commission the largest utility solar project in Pennsylvania’s history. This milestone represented the culmination of a lot of hard work over many years to build out the case for why increased investment in solar makes sense.

What advice would you give to people interested in becoming more involved in climate advocacy work?

With recent events at the federal level, state and local advocacy work has become all the more important. Everything you can do to help facilitate an equitable clean energy future matters and reduces harms to future generations.