Report on Colerain Township Board of Supervisors Meeting: July 14

Advancement of Sustainable Energy and Agricultural Preservation

The Colerain Township Board of Supervisors has taken decisive action to align local policy with global sustainability targets by enacting a zoning ordinance amendment concerning solar and wind energy systems. This development directly addresses several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Ordinance Enactment: Following a year-long review process involving the township and county planning commissions, the board approved a new zoning amendment for renewable energy installations.
• Contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The ordinance promotes the adoption of clean energy by permitting small-scale solar systems for residential use and allowing for larger solar and wind arrays, thereby increasing the share of renewable energy in the local grid.
• Contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action): By creating a regulatory framework that encourages solar and wind power, the township is taking tangible local action to combat climate change and its impacts.
• Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land): Crucially, the ordinance demonstrates a balanced approach to development by prohibiting the construction of large energy arrays on areas designated as prime agricultural soil. This measure protects the most productive farmland, safeguarding local food production capabilities and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
• Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The amendment represents a forward-thinking planning strategy that balances the need for clean energy with the preservation of vital agricultural resources, contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and resilient community. As noted by Township Solicitor Eric Frey, the amendment “puts controls on where they (large arrays) can be.”

Commitment to Education and Community Resources

The meeting also highlighted the township’s ongoing commitment to foundational community institutions, which is essential for achieving goals related to education and equality.

• Library Funding Update: A report from Quarryville Library board member Peggy Gordon confirmed that Colerain Township is one of only four out of ten municipalities served by the library to provide financial contributions.
• Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education): By budgeting $7,500 for the library for 2025, Colerain Township is making a direct investment in lifelong learning opportunities, literacy, and access to information for all its citizens.
• Contribution to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Public libraries are vital for reducing inequalities by providing free and equitable access to educational and digital resources, and the township’s support helps ensure the library can continue this mission.

Governance and Future Proceedings

• Next Meeting: The board will convene again on August 4.
• Contribution to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The regular, public proceedings of the board exemplify effective, accountable, and transparent governance at the local level, which is the bedrock of strong public institutions.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article discusses issues that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on renewable energy, land use planning, and community funding touches upon goals related to energy, food security, sustainable communities, and education.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The core of the article is the enactment of a zoning ordinance amendment to regulate “solar and wind energy systems.” This directly supports the transition to clean and renewable energy sources at a local level.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article explicitly mentions that the new ordinance for energy arrays will not permit them “on areas with prime soil, which provide the most productive land for growing.” This action directly relates to protecting agricultural land to ensure food production and promote sustainable agriculture.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The entire process described—a zoning ordinance amendment that has been developed over a year through township and county planning commissions—is an example of integrated and sustainable human settlement planning. The article also mentions funding for the Quarryville Library, a key public and cultural institution within the community.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• By prohibiting the development of energy systems on “prime soil,” the township is working to prevent the degradation of productive land, which is a key aspect of protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The mention of the Quarryville Library and the specific municipal funding allocated to it connects to the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities, as libraries are crucial community learning centers.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The ordinance allowing “small solar systems for homes” and larger “solar and wind arrays” is a direct local action aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that… progressively improve land and soil quality. The ordinance’s provision to protect “prime soil” from development ensures that the most productive agricultural land is preserved for food production.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. The article highlights a year-long planning process for the zoning ordinance involving both the “township planning commission and the county planning commission,” which exemplifies integrated planning.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The municipal contribution to the library fund is a direct investment in maintaining and supporting a key community learning environment.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Indicators for SDG 7

• Policy Implementation: The primary indicator is the enactment of the “zoning ordinance amendment modifying the regulations for solar and wind energy systems.” This is a policy indicator showing government commitment.
• Renewable Energy Adoption: An implied indicator would be the number of “small solar systems for homes” and “solar and wind arrays” installed following the ordinance’s enactment.

Indicators for SDG 2 and SDG 15

• Area of Protected Land: An implied indicator is the area of “prime soil” that is protected from being used for energy development. This can be measured through land use maps and zoning regulations.

Indicators for SDG 11

• Implementation of Planning Policies: The successful vote to “enact a zoning ordinance amendment” after a multi-level planning process serves as an indicator of implemented sustainable settlement planning.

Indicators for SDG 4

• Financial Allocation: A specific, quantitative indicator is mentioned in the article: the municipal budget allocation of “$7,500 to the library for 2025.” This directly measures financial support for educational facilities.

Summary of Findings

Source: lancasteronline.com