Tracking Progress Toward 2035
BUILDING AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY INDICATORS
The Connections Plan envisions regional energy-efficiency as a key economic development principle for the future. The principle is based on the concept that those regions which are best equipped and prepared to deal with rising energy prices and the uncertainty of climate change impacts will be the most successful in the future global economy. The Plan looks to create a more energy-efficient economy by providing services with less energy, producing energy with less CO2 emissions, and reducing the demand for energy.
DVRPC tracks six indicators in order to gauge the region's progress toward achieving this planning principle. These indicators focus on general economic conditions, such as employment, wages, educational attainment, as well as regional greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use. These indicators will be periodically updated as new data becomes available and the indicators will help shape the discussion about, and content of the next iteration of the Connections Plan.
HAS THE NUMBER OF JOBS IN THE REGION INCREASED?
Indicator: Number of jobs in the DVRPC region.
How is the DVRPC Region Performing? The number of employees in the region remained relatively stable between 2000 and 2010, declining by less than ¼ percent, despite the worsening economic conditions. This loss is less than the national decrease of almost 1 percent.
Download PDF [0.1 MB pdf]
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census of Population and Wages
HAS AVERAGE ANNUAL PAY IN THE REGION INCREASED?
Indicator: Average annual wage measured in 2009 dollars.
How is the DVRPC Region Performing? Between 2000 and 2009, the average per capita annual pay in the region increased by $2,650. This compares favorably to the national per capita average increase of $1,552.
Download PDF [0.1 MB pdf]
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic Analysis and Information Branch
IS THE WORKFORCE BECOMING MORE EDUCATED?
Indicators: Highest educational level attained by people age 25 years and older.
How is the DVRPC Region Performing? The percentage of the region's adult population with associates', bachelors', graduate, or professional degrees has increased from 33.9 percent in 2000 to 38.9 percent in 2009. Educational attainment in the region is significantly higher than that of the nation as a whole.
Download PDF [0.1 MB pdf]
Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey
IS HOUSING BECOMING MORE AFFORDABLE?
Indicator: The percentage of households paying 35 percent or more of their income for housing costs.
How is the DVRPC Region Performing? Almost 25 percent of homeowners and 43 percent of renters in Greater Philadelphia pay 35 percent or more of their income towards housing. Although housing in the Philadelphia region is generally less affordable than the nation as a whole, these regional percentages compare favorably with those of the nation's other ten largest metropolitan areas.
Download PDF [0.1 MB pdf]
Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey
ARE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS LOWER?
Indicators: Greenhouse gas emissions in million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2E).
How is the DVRPC Region Performing? In 2005, total regional greenhouse gas emissions were 87.7 MMTCO2E. The region's emissions are comparable to those of Austria and Portugal, which have roughly twice the population of Greater Philadelphia. 2010 values are expected to be released in 2012.
Download PDF [0.1 MB pdf]
Source: DVRPC Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 2005
ARE WE USING LESS ENERGY?
Indicator: Total energy use in billions of British thermal units (BBTUs).
How is the DVRPC Region Performing? In 2005, total regional energy use was 947,924 BBTU. This is the first year for which DVRPC has calculated this indicator and 2005 data will serve as a benchmark for future comparison.
Download PDF [0.1 MB pdf]
Source: DVRPC Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 2005