PSERS: Divest from Fossil Fuels!

Dear Pennsylvania Educator,

Did you know that PSERS is heavily invested in oil and gas holdings? These
are the same companies responsible for some of the worst environmental
disasters of the last century and for violating indigenous rights in North
Dakota. These companies have also become a bad investment for our
retirement dollars.1
As Pennsylvanias educators and PSERS contributors we are moved to take
immediate action and call for PSERS to divest from oil and gas companies.
2016 is expected to eclipse 2015 as the hottest year on record. At the same
time oil and gas pipelines, fracking wells, and refineries increase asthma
rates for our kids and pollute our communities. New evidence shows that oil
and gas companies, particularly Exxon, have known for years that burning
fossil fuels negatively impact climate and human health. And yet they keep
drilling.
The connection between climate change and the continued extraction and
burning of fossil fuels is irrefutable, yet 29 of the top 32 holdings in the
PSERS retirement plan are with these companies.2 One of them, Energy
Transfer Partners, has been cited for brutal treatment of Standing Rock Sioux
members protecting sacred burial grounds and local water supplies from the
proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. In Pennsylvania, Energy Transfer Partners
and other companies are involved in massive pipeline build-outs to move gas
to shipping ports. Sunoco Logistics, which just announced a plan to merge
with Energy Transfer Partners, is involved in several fossil fuel projects that
are hurting Pennsylvania families. The corporation is using the power of
eminent domain to take Pennsylvanians land in building its Mariner East
Pipeline project across the state.
PSERS has a fiduciary responsibility to invest prudently and maximize returns
to ensure a healthy pension system. However, the PSERS portfolio can create
healthy returns without relying on companies that profit from fossil fuels. 3
Universities, cities, and pension funds including the Boston Teachers Union,
the Unified Teachers of LA and the California Federation of Teachers have
1http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160312_Pennsylvania_school_pensi
on_system_lost_money_in_2015.html
2 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/investigation-pa-pension-systemspsers-sers-loaded_us_57e14644e4b04fa361d9a54a
3 http://app.greenamerica.org/fossil-free/

divested, or are in the process of divesting approximately $3.4 trillion from

fossil fuel related funds.4
Everyday, as educators we shape the future by inspiring children to be
responsible citizens. Lets be role models and act responsibly with our
pension investments. Tell the PSERS Board to divest from fossil fuels by
signing this petition. We can be leaders in the fight for renewables and the
move away from fossil fuels. Lets put our money where our values are.
Sincerely,
Teachers and Retirees for PSERS to Divest from Fossil Fuels
*= Retired
Aaron Booz, Bethel Park School District
Aaron Cylinder, Rose Tree Media School District
Abram Taber, School District of Philadelphia
Agnes Kelley, School District of Philadelphia
Aisha eubanks, School District of Philadelphia
Alanna Hibbs, Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania
Alexa Dunn, School District of Philadelphia
Alexandria Rooney, School District of Philadelphia
Amy-Nicole Roat, School District of Philadelphia
Angela Canales, Delaware Valley Charter High School
Angela Chan, School District of Philadelphia
Anissa Weinraub, School District of Philadelphia
Anita Mentzer, Annville-Cleona School District*
Ann Dixon, School District of Philadelphia

4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuel_divestment#Groups_involved_in_dive
stment_campaigns

Ann Leaness, School District of Philadelphia

Annabelle Lyons, School District of Philadelphia
Anne M. Searer, Derry Township School District*
Anthony Consbruck, Slippery Rock Area School District*
Anthony J. Rotondo, West Chester Area School District*
Ashley White, Tredyffrin Easttown School District
Barbara Dowdall, School District of Philadelphia*
Betsy Heefner, East Pennsboro Area School District*
Carol Baker, West Chester Area School District
Carol Ballance, Allegheny Intermediate Unit*
Carol Cutler, Indiana Area School District*
Carolyn W Scott, Springfield Township School District*
Catherine Khella, School District of Philadelphia
Cheryl Barnes, Southern Huntingdon County School District *
Christine Del Rossi, School District of Philadelphia
Christine Murray, West Chester Area School District*
Christy Kenney-Quinn, School District of Philadelphia
Clara Worrall, Reading School District
Colleen Lawson-Thornton, School District of Philadelphia
Connie L Fleeger, Karns City Area School District*
Dana Hanratty-Clay, School District of Philadelphia
Danielle Tansits, School District of Philadelphia
Danyell Dahn, School District of Philadelphia

David Hensel, School District of Philadelphia

Dawn Frye, Juniata County School
Dennis A. Gaggini, Armstrong School District*
Dennis Barnebey, School District of Philadelphia*
Diane Payne, School District of Philadelphia*
Diane Smith, Garnet Valley School District
Dianne Arnold, Allegheny Intermediate Unit*
Dino Canton, Moon School District
Dolores R. Somma, Chartiers Valley School District*
Donald Lancaster, Pittsburgh Public Schools*
Donna Sharer, School District of Philadelphia
Doreen LeFort Fabiano, Grove City School District*
Dorine Waugh-Sanders, School District of Philadelphia
Eileen DiFranco, School District of Philadelphia*
Elizabeth Jamison, Greensburg Salem School District
Elizabeth Price, Pennsburg School District
Ellen Gerhart, Bellwood-Antis School District*
Erica Lambert, Palmyra Area School District
Erin Giorgio, School District of Philadelphia
Eva Telesco, School District of Lancaster
Faith Moynihan, School District of Philadelphia
Francesca Cantarini, School District of Philadelphia
Galeet Cohen, School District of Philadelphia

George Mehler, Central Bucks School District*

Gregory Winks, Upper St. Clair School District
Harris Daniels, School District of Philadelphia
Harris O. Daniels, School District of Philadelphia
Helen Conahan, Chester County Intermediate Unit*
Helen Jean Sinal, Hollidaysburg Area School District
Ismael Jimenez, Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School
Jacki Jacobs, Wilson School District
James Stephenson, Pittsburgh Public School District*
Jan Chanin, School District of Philadelphia*
Jan Milburn, Norwin School District*
Jane Much, Bethlehem Area School District*
Jeffrey A. Rupertus, School District of Philadelphia
Jeffrey C. Klinger Jr., Lebanon School District
Jennifer Falkner, Mars Area School District
Jennifer Lee, School District of Philadelphia
Jenny Sassaman, Chester County Intermediate Unit
Jesse Braxton, School District of Philadelphia
Jesse Gottschalk, School District of Philadelphia
Jesse Todd, School District of Philadelphia
Jessica Lamson, School District of Philadelphia
Jessica Norman, Mars Area School District
Jill Gray, Greensburg Salem School District*

Joacy Mendonca, School District of Philadelphia

Joan L Farb, School District of Philadelphia*
Joanna Vaughan, School District of Philadelphia*
Joanne Donahue, School District of Philadelphia
Joe Heefner, East Pennsboro Area School District*
JoEllen Marley, School District of Philadelphia*
JoEllen Marley, School District of Philadelphia*
John B Sears, School District of Philadelphia*
John Kluck, Oil City Area School District
John Sheetin, School District of Philadelphia
Joni Woods, School District of Philadelphia
Joshua Block, School District of Philadelphia
Judi Whitesell, East Pennsboro Area School District*
Julie Stapleton Carroll, School District of Philadelphia
Kara Lehman, School District of Philadelphia
Karel Kilimnik, School District of Philadelphia*
Karen A. Davis, Warren County School District*
Karen Bagdes-Canning, Grove City Area School District*
Kate Rodgers, School District of Philadelphia
Katherine Volin, School District of Philadelphia
Kathleen Melville, School District of Philadelphia
Katie Miller, School District of Philadelphia
Katie Solic, West Chester University

Katrina Clark, School District of Philadelphia

Kayla Childs, School District of Philadelphia
Kelley Collings, School District of Philadelphia
Kimberly Chicchi, Achievement House Cyber Charter School
Kimberly Rissing, Central Bucks School District
Kipp Dawson, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Kristin Sobrinski, Bethlehem Area School District
Kristy Hostetler, Greensburg Salem School District
Kyle Lorditch, Susquehanna Township School District
Larissa, School District of Philadelphia
Leah Humes, Upper St. Clair School District
Lee Harris, Bangor Area School District
Linda B. wood, Fleetwood Area School District*
Lisa Guy-Britt, School District of Philadelphia
Lisa Hantman, School District of Philadelphia
Lisa Welch, Central Bucks School District
Liz Rosenbaum, Radnor School District
Lora Snyder, Rose Tree Media School District
Lorraine fortino, School District of Philadelphia
Lou Ann Merkle, Upper Dublin School District*
Louise Pierce, Lower Merion School District
Lynda Foxworth, School District of Philadelphia
Lynda Rubin, School District of Philadelphia*

Lynette Brown, School District of Philadelphia

Lynne Strieb, School District of Philadelphia*
Madeleine Nist, School District of Philadelphia*
Mardys Leeper, School District of Philadelphia*
Margaret Cieslinski, Owen J. Roberts School District*
Margaret Devine, School District of Philadelphia
Margaret Henry, Farrell Area School District
Marianna Galia, Pittsburgh Public Schools*
Marianna Mello, Schuykill Valley School District
Maribeth Johnson, Warwick School District
Marina Isakowitz, School District of Philadelphia
Mark Karcz, Olney Charter HS AspiraPa
Martha L. Ralphe, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District*
Mary C Desmone, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit*
Mary Jo Brinker, Shaler Area School District*
Mary Lou prinzi, Pine Richland School District*
Mary Shapiro, Pittsburgh Public School District*
Mary Wang, School District of Philadelphia
Maureen O'Driscoll, School District of Philadelphia
Max Rosen-Long, School District of Philadelphia
Megan Wiglusz, Perkiomen Valley School District
Melissa Mouchref, Bethlehem Area School District
Michael A. Kamandulis, Penn State DuBois*

Michael Bagdes-Canning, Grove City Area School District*

Michael Runyan, East Penn School District
Molly McLaughlin, Friends School Haverford*
Mtukufu Mtumaini-El, School District of Philadelphia
Noga Newberb, Folk Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School
Nora Ziegler, West Chester Area School District*
Olivia Grenter, South Fayette School District
Pamela Roy, School District of Philadelphia
Patricia DiRienzo, Allegheny Intermediate Unit*
Peggy Hartzell, West Chester Area School District*
Philip T. Kearney, Antietam School District*
Phyllis Romano, Mt. Lebanon School District*
Piper VanOrd, Warren County School District
Qudsiyyah Shariyf, School District of Philadelphia
Rachel Grant, School District of Philadelphia
Radeesha Griffin, School District of Philadelphia
Ray Mount, Warwick School District
Renate Brosky, Bethlehem Area School District*
Richard L. Biddle, School District of Philadelphia*
Richard V Sailar, Mercer Area School District*
Robin Lowry, School District of Philadelphia
Robin Roberts, School District of Philadelphia
Ron Slabe, Pittsburgh Public School District*

Ronald Cehelsky, Butler Area School District*

Rosalie Zwizanski, West Chester Area School District
Rosemary Skomitz, Daniel Boone Area School District*
Salvatore Mastriano, School District of Philadelphia*
Sandra McKissock, Pittsburgh Public Schools*
Sandra Swetland, Allegheny Intermediate Unit*
Sara Broad, School District of Philadelphia
Sarah Apt, Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania
Sarah Bagdes-Canning, Grove City Area School District
Sarah Caspar, Downingtown School District*
Sarah Hudgings, Avon Grove Charter School
Sharon Owen, West Chester Area School District*
Shaw MacQueen, School District of Philadelphia
Sheldon Peterson, Erie School District*
Shira Cohen, School District of Philadelphia
Shirley A. Riley, School District of Philadelphia*
Silvino Alexander, School District of Philadelphia
Sophie Date, School District of Philadelphia
Sosthene Coffi, Sankofa Charter School
Stephanie Towles, Reading Area School District
Stephen Smith, Lampeter Strasburg School District*
Steve Delturk, School District of Philadelphia
Susan Mizelle, School District of Philadelphia

Suzanne Cilli, Independence Charter School

Tamar Magdovitz, School District of Philadelphia
Tasnim Aziz, School District of Philadelphia
Tatiana Olmedo, School District of Philadelphia
Theresa Ebersole, School District of PhiladelphiaNo
Thomas Quinn, School District of Philadelphia
Tom Hladczuk, School District of Philadelphia
Tonya Walker, School District of Philadelphia
Vanessa Moore, Fleetwood Area School District
Vivian Rodriguez, School District of Philadelphia*
Vivienne Selia, Franklin Regional School District*
W. Andrew Stover, Chambersburg Area School District*
Wendy Galson, School District of Philadelphia
William Granche, St. Marys School District*
William L Santee, Northgate School District*
Yvonne E. Bowser, Bedford Area High School