Today SEPTA advances its industry-leading Sustainability Program with the release of the SEP-TAINABLE Annual Report for 2018.
The 2018 Annual Report details sustainability achievements from the past year, including:
- Beginning the delivery of 525 hybrid electric buses along with the first of 25 battery-electric buses to serve the Routes 29 and 79 in South Philadelphia. Upon delivery, SEPTA will have the largest fleet of electric buses on the East Coast of the United States.
- Selection of a developer to install more than three megawatts of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, among the largest solar projects ever awarded in the City of Philadelphia.
- Signing on as a founding member of the “2030 District” with the goal of achieving 50 percent water, energy and emissions reductions by 2030 at SEPTA’s headquarters building, 1234 Market Street. The “2030 District” is an initiative of the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC).
With the Annual Report, SEPTA is also releasing a second-generation Energy Action Plan that reinforces SEPTA’s commitment to reduce energy consumption and GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. Progress towards plan implementation began last month with the release of an expression of interest (EOI) for a multi-megawatt offsite renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) and the selection of Constellation New Energy, Inc., an energy service company (ESCO), to complete a self-funded retrofit of SEPTA’s 1234 Market Street headquarters building.
Combined, these documents and initiatives reflect a proactive response to months of public and stakeholder feedback, and reinforce SEPTA’s enduring commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability for the region.
“We listened to our stakeholders, partners and customers, and with these plans are acting on the feedback received with innovative initiatives and an ongoing commitment to continual improvement,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel.
Since 2012, SEPTA has maintained a gold rating from the American Public Transportation Association. Additionally, SEPTA has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions related to the operation of both facilities and vehicles. Riding SEPTA also reduces personal transportation emissions. On average, commuters who choose transit over driving cut their personal emissions by 70 percent.
“SEPTA plays an important role in helping Philadelphia become a more sustainable city for all, not only by moving more people with fewer vehicles, but also by reducing emissions through its investment in efficient vehicles and cleaner energy sources. We applaud SEPTA’s efforts to support goals outlined in Greenworks,” said the City of Philadelphia’s Director of the Office of Sustainability, Christine Knapp.
More information about SEPTA Sustainability is available at https://planning.septa.org/sustainability/.
