Lakewood Receives Statewide Recognition For Clean Energy
Sustainability Manager Jill Bartolotta and Councilman Tristan Rader proudly accept the Clean Energy Community Award for Lakewood.
On December 11th, the City of Lakewood received the Clean Energy Community Award at the Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) Clean Energy Champions Awards ceremony in Columbus. Jill Bartolotta, Lakewood's sustainability manager, and I proudly accepted this award, highlighting our community’s commitment to clean energy and sustainability.
This award celebrates Lakewood’s completion of its Climate Action Plan—a bold roadmap for a cleaner, greener future. Through collaborative efforts, we have made significant progress toward ambitious goals, including achieving 100% renewable energy, expanding EV charging infrastructure, and saving taxpayer dollars through energy efficiency measures like transitioning to LED streetlights.
While completing the Climate Action Plan is a major milestone, it also marks the beginning of the next chapter. Together, we’ve implemented initiatives such as a 100% renewable energy aggregation program and solar arrays on city buildings. These efforts not only reduce emissions but also save money and set an example for other communities.
As I prepare to leave city government at the end of this month, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. It’s been an honor to help lay the groundwork for renewable energy programs and advocate for sustainability initiatives that will benefit our city for years to come.
I want to thank Mayor Meghan F. George and the city council, led by President Sarah Kepple and Vice President Kyle G. Baker, for their leadership and dedication. Special thanks also go to Deepa Vedavyas from NOPEC, Joe Flarida, Alyssa Johnson, and the PCFO team for their support and recognition.
This award belongs to every Lakewood resident who believes in the power of community action. Together, we’ve shown that meaningful change is possible. I’m confident that Lakewood will continue to lead the way toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
Councilman and State Rep-Elect Rader was elected to Lakewood City Council in 2017, and elected to the State Legislature this year and currently serves as the Ohio Director of Solar United Neighbors.
Tristan Rader
Councilman and State Rep-Elect Rader was elected to Lakewood City Council in 2017, and elected to the State Legislature this year and currently serves as the Ohio Director of Solar United Neighbors.