Open: August 1, 2025
Closes: September 19, 2025, 12pm

The Philadelphia Energy Authority (“PEA”) is currently seeking nominees to its Board of Directors. Selected candidates will be recommended to the City to fill one or more available seats appointed by the Mayor for the remainder of a five-year team that began on January 1, 2025 (beginning immediately upon appointment).

The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, September 19, 2025 at 12:00pm. This notice contains information about PEA and the nomination process.

About PEA

PEA was created by Philadelphia City Council in 2010 under the PA Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, as amended, 53 Pa. C.S. § 5601 et seq, and its charter was amended by Council to expand its purposes in 2018 (Bill No. 181007). 

“The Authority’s purposes and responsibilities shall be limited to actions for and concerning 

• the development, facilitation and/or financing of energy storage and/or generation projects, 

• the development, facilitation and/or financing of energy efficiency projects, 

• the purchase or facilitation of energy supply and energy services on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, government agencies, institutions and businesses, as well as the education of consumers regarding choices available in the marketplace, and 
• the promotion of a vital clean energy sector of the Philadelphia economy and increased employment in the sector by undertaking efforts to strengthen the markets for energy efficiency and energy storage and generation projects. 

The Authority shall have and may exercise all of the powers set forth in the Act that are necessary or convenient for carrying out its purposes and responsibilities.”

PEA works to build a robust, equitable clean energy economy to create economic opportunity for all Philadelphians. Since 2016, PEA has supported over $1 billion in clean energy and energy efficiency projects, creating over 8,400 jobs. PEA supports major City energy projects for buildings and infrastructure, holding long-term contracts on behalf of the City. In addition, PEA provides support for schools, commercial and industrial properties, and consumers through various programs and projects.

Major projects and programs include: 

• Philadelphia Streetlight Improvement Program (PSIP), which replaced over 130,000 fixtures, added controls, and reduced the City’s carbon footprint by 10 percent. PEA issued the City’s first Sustainability Bond for the project, which supported diverse and local contractors, deployed on-site assembly for additional job creation, and is entirely self-funding.
• 90 megawatts of solar built or in process to provide 30% of the City’s electricity use and reduce long term energy costs.
• Over $250 million of energy efficiency-driven capital work with the School District of Philadelphia at 23 schools
• New tools for market investment in efficiency, clean energy and resilience like Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing, which has driven over $251 million in private investment in new and existing construction. 
• Low-income home repair and preservation to reduce energy burden and restore safe, healthy, affordable homes through our Built to Last program, serving over 600 homes so far.
• The largest residential rooftop solar program in the nation, Solarize Philly, building over 23 megawatts of residential solar at 4,000 homes in Philadelphia, over half of whom are low- and moderate-income families.

In 2021, PEA launched the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp (“PGCC”), a 501(c)3 green bank focused on providing scalable financing tools to support PEA’s mission. PGCC has become a leader in green bank development in the U.S.

PEA’s Board of Directors

PEA’s board has seven members serving staggered five-year terms. Five members are appointed by the mayor and two members are appointed by City Council. Currently, one Mayor-appointed seat is available as of January 1, 2025. Because members continue to serve after their terms have expired until they are replaced, PEA continues to have a full complement. 

Board members meet quarterly in a public forum, including at an annual meeting during which officers are elected. Board officers include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer (with Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer optional). All members serve on one or more of the Board’s committees: Nominations & Governance, Development and Audit & Finance, which have variable meeting schedules, no more than three times per year. The board meets between quarterly meetings as appropriate for technical or strategy briefings, during which no deliberation occurs.

PEA’s board provides strategic insight and support, approves major contracts and budgets, ensures appropriate oversight of procurement, governance, financial systems and practices, and personnel issues, and provides technical expertise on policy and project topics. 

More information can be found on PEA here and in our bylaws here.

Board Selection Criteria

In order to qualify to serve on PEA’s board, candidates must, per the Municipality Authorities Act, be a taxpayer in, maintain a business in or be a citizen of Philadelphia.

Candidates for nomination to the Board will be evaluated by PEA’s CEO and referred to PEA’s Nominating and Governance Committee. PEA has a professional board with specific expertise to support PEA’s impact and development. Currently, PEA has a priority need for expertise in energy and government law, energy-related project development and engineering, and financial structuring in energy fields.

All or some of the following selection criteria may be utilized:

• Demonstrated interest and experience in energy, utilities, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy contracting and/or advanced clean energy technologies and applications
• Demonstrated interest and lived or professional experience in Philadelphia public policy issues
• Knowledge and expertise in the financial structuring of clean energy projects
• Knowledge and expertise about emerging clean energy market opportunities
• Knowledge and expertise about public policy issues supportive of PEA’s mission
• Board experience including committee leadership and officer roles
• Technical expertise in the energy industry and/or expertise in fundraising, government funding or government operations

Nomination Process

To nominate someone (including oneself), submit a letter of interest and resume to kdargan@philaenergy.org with the subject line “PEA Board Nomination – YOUR NAME”. Phone calls will not be accepted.

The CEO and relevant committee members may request additional information and will schedule interviews as appropriate. PEA will make recommendations to relevant decisionmakers for their consideration.