Ready for 100 Initiative

Mission Statement

We envision healthy, thriving communities across the United States, powered by affordable, community-based, and 100% clean, renewable sources of energy; where our energy system is predicated on racial, economic and environmental justice; where a thriving workforce has access to secure, safe and sustainable jobs; and where there is democratic accountability to ensure that the energy industry is fair, just and aligned with the public interest.

Sierra Club - Ready for 100


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Villanova RISE Forum

The Resilient Innovation through Sustainable Engineering (RISE) Forum is the corporate consortium of Villanova University’s graduate program in Sustainable Engineering.

RISE is the only leadership forum dedicated to advancing the field of corporate sustainability through the discipline of engineering. Our mission is to accelerate the identification and application of data-driven solutions that will help our members increase the sustainability of their respective organizations. Our goal is to help executives apply the principles of sustainable engineering to secure a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs, managing risk, fueling growth and enhancing reputation.

RISE is both action-oriented—teaching companies how to apply innovative solutions—and rigorous—quantifying the risks and opportunities associated with a given solution. In short, we use the science of sustainable engineering to drive resilient innovation across the value chain.

Villanova RISE Forum

West Norriton Ready for 100 Analysis



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Presentation by Villanova RISE Project Team on Ready for 100 Initiative (PDF)

White Paper by Villanova RISE Project Team

This paper outlines the work that our group achieved through the Resilient Innovation Sustainable Engineering (RISE) forum in partnership with West Norriton Township (WN). The scope was to establish a baseline of the township’s energy usage to assist in their transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, aligned with the Sierra Club Ready for 100 (RF 100) initiative.

White Paper by Villanova RISE Project Team (PDF)

Phase II Energy Recommendations

This paper outlines the work that our group achieved through the Resilient Innovation Sustainable Engineering (RISE) forum in partnership with West Norriton Township (WN) in the Spring of 2021.  The scope was to develop energy recommendations to assist in their transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, aligned with the Sierra Club Ready for 100 initiative.

Our group performed an energy audit at the township building at 1630 W. Marshall Street in Jefferson, PA.  This building houses the administration, police, and public works departments for the township.  The building’s HVAC, envelope, and lighting were analyzed for energy consumption and inefficiencies to lead to a series of recommendations. First, implement insulation upgrades to EnergyStar standards in various areas, install tamperproof thermostats, install motorized dampers, install an OSA unit for circulation, and implement a heat recovery system.  Lighting in the building must undergo a shift to LEDs and dimming switches to replace old fluorescent bulbs and fixtures. Available PECO rebates can be applied through the PECO Smart Energy Application with their free engineering consultation.   A solar and battery analysis was also performed leading to a scoped 63.3kW rooftop array and 32kAh back-up battery.

The electrification of vehicles and equipment of the township were also analyzed. Police vehicles in the township can be converted to a fleet of hybrids such as the Ford Interceptor. A single hybrid vehicle can lead to $2,021 a year in fuel savings, $36,374 for the fleet. WN golf carts can also be phased out to the fully electric EZ-Go carts that are estimated to save $540 annually per cart.  35 out of 65 of WN inventory of lawn-care equipment can also be electrified in a one-ton one conversion. The comparable products include the greens mowers, utility and work carts, sand traps, rough mowers, blowers, chainsaws, and string and hedge trimmers.  An updated greenhouse gas analysis was made to show all savings with these recommendations.

White Paper by Villanova RISE (PDF)

Presentation by Villanova RISE Project Team: Phase II Energy Recommendation (PDF)