Today’s the day. Give a salute to clean energy!

As we celebrate our nation's 239^th birthday with pool parties and picnics this weekend, let's not forget that it takes energy to cool our houses and grill our holiday food.

Show your civic pride this Fourth of July and declare your energy independence by donating to PennFuture so we can continue to push for more renewable, homegrown energy and a brighter future for our state!

Pennsylvania has long been an energy innovator. It's essential that we continue to lead as we build a clean energy economy to restore our environment and provide a sustainable future for our kids. PennFuture's job is to work with policymakers across the state and the nation to shape public policy and make Pennsylvania a leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Our educational campaigns convinced large institutions, businesses, and individual consumers to go green and be sustainable.

Will you help us continue to fight for more renewable energy?

Three generous donors have agreed to match a total of $5,000 in gifts for our campaign to push for more renewable energy. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar and your support will really make a difference.

Renewable energy is projected to make up 10 percent of U.S. energy consumption in the next year, but in Pennsylvania, renewable energy makes up only 4 percent of our total energy consumed. Meanwhile, our neighbors in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware continue to deploy more renewable energy — and have more renewable energy jobs than Pennsylvania.

We know we can do better. PennFuture will continue to work tirelessly for more clean energy in Pennsylvania. Like the Founding Fathers, we're not just sitting around. We're pushing forward to make our state a leader in clean energy to create jobs, improve air quality, and reduce our dependence on foreign energy supplies.

America has been the land of innovation for almost two and a half centuries. We plan to continue that tradition by making bold strides in clean energy production right here in Pennsylvania.

Declare your independence! Salute clean energy and support PennFuture with your tax-deductible donation today!

Mary Kane is development associate for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg.

C'mon, hop to it! Come to PennFuture On Tap!

Please join us for a great night of good beer and tasty food at our premiere PennFuture on Tap* event.

We'll host this fundraiser at Yards Brewery Company, the first brewery in Pennsylvania to be  completely powered by wind, from 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19. 

Support local sustainable businesses and PennFuture when you purchase your tickets on our secure website and then watch our tagline -- Every environmental victory grows the economy -- come to life at this unique event venue. 

Pennsylvania's growing craft brewery industry -- ranked fourth in the U.S. by the Brewers Association -- contributes $2 billion annually to our economy and provides over 20,000 Pennsylvania jobs.

To make all that beer, the brewing industry needs lots of clean air and clean water. That's where we come in: PennFuture works hard every day to protect these resources for all of us. And that's where you come in: To help PennFuture continue this work, we need YOU and your support!

Our special guest will be Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Howard Neukrug, a national leader in urban sustainability and the creator of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program. Alongside Commissioner Neukrug's leadership, the Philadelphia Water Department provides clean drinking water and integrated wastewater and stormwater services for more than 2.3 million people.

Please join us. Learn something new. Enjoy an open bar with Yards' Revolution and Signature Ales. Sample food from Guerilla Ultima Food Truck. Take a brewery tour and bid on something wonderful in the silent auction.

Sponsorships are available. For more information on that, email Susanne Whitehead at whitehead@pennfuture.org.

Don't miss this hopportunity (last pun, promise) to support PennFuture -- and have a great time while you do it! Buy your tickets today!

*Must be 21 years old to participate.

Mary Kane is development associate for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg.
 

Join us for a better Future

PennFuture President and CEO, Cindy Dunn, recently sat down to reflect on the year just past and, in doing so, shared our story for 2013. We welcome your support in 2014 and invite you to consider membership, or renew an existing membership, before year's end.

Here's what Cindy had to say:

At PennFuture, we remain ever vigilant on your behalf against intrusions that would damage public health and natural resources across Pennsylvania, and undermine your constitutional rights.

This past year, we found ourselves working in all corners of the state, being first when it matters to you in:

• protecting our state parks and forests from shale gas drilling.
• winning an agreement from a merging gas company to establish a gas energy efficiency program, and increasing funding for energy efficiency for low-income customers, as part of the terms of the merger.
• educating the public about our climate work with our affiliate partner, the National Wildlife Federation.
• being the state lead in the Choose Clean Water Coalition, supporting the work to clean waters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Susquehanna River.
• leading the way to inform the public about the importance of new building codes for a safer and more energy efficient state.
• securing a legislative victory in Act 68, the new stormwater law that will provide municipalities the option to create stormwater authorities.
• fighting to conserve threatened and endangered species. 

Our Board of Directors has issued a challenge to anyone new** who joins PennFuture by the end of the year: During the month of December, our Board will match any new member's donation* dollar for dollar for an aggregate total of $3,000.00. Join as a new member and help your dollars go farther!

You can sign up at our secure website.

I am privileged to lead this organization and to work alongside colleagues who are tremendous champions of the environment. Rest assured, your support, at every level, is the gift that keeps on giving.

Thank you,
Cindy A. Dunn
President and CEO, PennFuture

  * Special membership rate is effective 12/1 - 12/31, 2013.
** New members are considered to be individuals who have not previously donated to PennFuture.

Mary Kane is the events and development associate for PennFuture, based in Harrisburg.