3E Links readers are early adopters of sustainable policies, products, and practices, and the people who educate their friends and family about the benefits of sustainable development. Be sure to pass your issue of 3E Links along to friends and colleagues. Subscribe by e-mailing info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

Events

Resources

Sustainable Pittsburgh's 2006 Accomplishments

In 2006, Sustainable Pittsburgh continued to enjoy partnership with many organizations that represent diverse constituencies and whose interests align with SP's mission. These partnerships are working to accelerate the policy and practice of sustainable development in Southwestern Pennsylvania and are bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses. The process of sustainable development is on the march in our region contributing to social equity, economic prosperity, and environmental quality - today and for tomorrow. Sustainable Pittsburgh is privileged to contribute to the quickening pace of positive change. Please check out Sustainable Pittsburgh's 2006 Accomplishments and if you are not already a member, consider supporting our efforts at regional decision-making tables by becoming a member today.

.

Resources Continued

Champions of Sustainability: Pennsylvania State Planning Board 2006 Report Public Input Forum

Friday, January 26
1 – 2:30 pm (12:30 Registration)
Regional Enterprise Tower, 31st Floor
425 Sixth Avenue
Pittsburgh (Downtown)
No fee to attend
RSVP 412-258-6642 or info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

The forum is the first public input meeting on the State Planning Board's recently released report to Governor Rendell.  The report addresses recommendations for state policies and actions, including possible legislation, on development, conservation, and land use issues such as:

• Tax revenue sharing and additional authority for tax base sharing that will achieve smart growth goals.

• Amendments to the Municipalities Planning Code regarding comprehensive land use planning to address issues including capital investment decisions and coordinating transportation, infrastructure, and development.

• Amendments to county and municipal codes to establish clear procedures to permit municipal disincorporations as an intermediate step to merger or consolidation.

•Criteria for state investments, incentives for more multimunicipal planning and implementation, and policies for attracting private investment.

•Right-sizing provision of services at the state, county, and local levels; and efficient, well-designed transportation, water and sewer, and other infrastructure that serves state, regional, and local needs

Presenters:
-Honorable Judith Schwank, Berks County commissioner, and chair, State Planning Board
-Alex Graziani, executive director, Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County, and vice-chair State Planning Board
-John Mizerak, PA Department of County and Economic Development

Panel:
-Lynn DeLorenzo, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties
-Dick Hadley, Cranberry Township Supervisor
-Honorable Jake Wheatley Jr., State Representative, 19th Legislative Distric

Sponsored by:

t

AIA Pittsburgh Invites You to Tour the Award Winning Arch Street Loft

Wednesday, January 31
6 - 8 pm
1315 Arch Street
Pittsburgh
$10 AIA Members. $20 Non-Members
Register: 412-471-9548 or https://www.123signup.com/register?id=qhdmr

Join AIA Pittsburgh for their January Membership Meeting and tour of the Arch Street Loft, winner of the 2006 People’s Choice Award. Arch Street Loft, located in the North Side’s Mexican War Streets, is an excellent example of adaptive reuse. This structure which used to be home to an automotive service garage and warehouse has been converted into a contemporary living space. Loysen + Kreuthmeier Architects will be on site to discuss their design process for this project. Also, we invite you to enjoy refreshments and hors d’ oeuvres, catered by The Quiet Storm, while networking with architects and design enthusiasts.

Lecture: Creating Livelihoods from Greenhouses and Forest Gardens

Tuesday, February 13
5:30 - 7 pm
Rangos 1 & 2, University Center
Carnegie Mellon University

The Carnegie Mellon Steinbrenner Institute for the Environment will present Jerome Osentowski, Director of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, to speak on the subject of "Creating Livelihoods from Greenhouses and Forest Gardens" as part of the Spring 2007 Environmental Lecture Series. The University Lecture Series was developed by Dr. Indira Nair, Vice Provost of Education and EPP Faculty.

Save the Date: 2007 Smart Growth Conference

Friday, May 18
Omni William Penn Hotel
Downtown Pittsburgh

For sponsorship opportunities, contact: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

Among topics, the 2007 Smart Growth Conference will review and collect input on progress made on the three community challenges/solutions as voted on at the 2006 Smart Growth Conference. Visit: http://www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/2006_Conference/Overview.htm for more information on last year's conference.

DEP seeks maximum penalty against Kilbuck properties, orders strict timeline for permanent stabilization of the site

The Department of Environmental Protection today filed a complaint for civil penalties of $470,000 – the maximum allowed by law - against Kilbuck Properties, and issued an order establishing a strict timeline, stringent performance standards, daily round-the-clock monitoring of the property and biweekly reporting requirements for the development of a permanent site stability plan at the construction site where a September landslide closed roads and train tracks along the Ohio River. “This is a wake up call to Kilbuck Properties that they must take immediate, effective action to stabilize this property,” said DEP Southwest Regional Director Kenneth Bowman. “To date, the company’s response has been wholly deficient and unacceptable and further delay cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”

UPMC receives $250,000 for green initiative

With a $250,000 grant from the Heinz Endowments, UPMC can move closer to its goal of becoming the industry leader in environmental health and safety. While there’s a whole movement to green hospitals, says Ellen Dorsey, environment program officer for the Heinz Endowments, “nobody is approaching it like UMPC, with an integrated model that links all functions of the hospital together.”

Sustainable Dream Job: Community Design Center of Pittsburgh

The Director of Development & Operations – in collaboration with the Executive Director, board of directors and staff of CDCP – will ensure the continued growth and sustainability of CDCP through the management of all development and operational activities and systems. This position is a key part of the organization’s leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director, working with program staff, and supervising administrative staff. The position will manage all fundraising activities, building partnerships with public agencies, communities and other nonprofits, and representing the organization in a variety of settings.

Healthy Sign for South Side

The façade of his S. 15th Street office is unremarkable -- in fact, it's unmarked. From here, Elbaum has worked as a private therapist for about half of his 30-year career. Today he specializes in drug and alcohol counseling. Years ago, he could have used it himself...He points to the 900,000 people in Pennsylvania alone without health insurance, as reported last year by the state's Department of Insurance. In November, he started placing flyers in the Beehive and other Carson Street institutions. The flyers sought financial help for his fledgling effort, but about 40 potential patients contacted him too. He's still looking for a board of directors and donations for his new nonprofit. Eventually he hopes to hire a social worker and see 80 to 90 clients a week.

Summit Adds International Component as Racism Opponent

If race is mostly a social construct, a new participant in the annual Summit Against Racism plans to show attendees the issue's "Pittsburgh dynamic."...The Summit has always been a jumping-off point for a year of work, organizers say, resulting in everything from a mural project to greater efforts to affect police conduct in the community. This year, Stevens says, work will involve B-PEP's push for City Council to write into law the police policy and procedural changes that followed 1996's consent decree. The decree created temporary federal oversight of the city's police department following multiple lawsuits against the department. Those changes need to be codified, Stevens says, so that they needn't be justified to every new mayor or police chief. He believes Council will soon work on drafting legislation to make the changes concrete.

Going green with vehicles pays for employee parking

Free employee parking isn't that unusual a perk for white-collar workers, but for BP's Alternative Energy employees commuting to downtown Houston, that benefit comes with a catch. The company pays for parking based on how much greenhouse gas an employee's vehicle emits, paying the full cost for drivers of vehicles like the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Cities find lucrative tourist market in gay travel

"It's about leadership," added Mr. Witeck. "A city can't whisper 'welcome.' You have to say it out loud. The cities who say it out loud and get it are the ones that win." Beverly Morrow Jones, a spokeswoman for Visit Pittsburgh, the city's tourism information bureau, says the city is prepared to do that.

More Downtown offices empty last year

The vacancy rate for office space Downtown surged in 2006 with businesses choosing to locate in suburban corridors to the east, north and west of the city, according to a year-end report on Pittsburgh's commercial real estate market.

Latin America takes on urbanization

Some of the most aggressive responses to the challenges of urbanization are coming out of Latin America, a new report from the Worldwatch Institute suggests. "State of the World 2007: Our Urban Future" reveals Latin America as a "fascinating region that is inspiring imitation worldwide," says Molly O'Meara Sheehan, the report's project director.

Colleges warming to climate-change commitments

University of Florida President Bernie Machen and nearly 30 other academic chiefs are pledging to reduce global warming by taking actions on their own campuses -- and they're trying to convince other schools to follow their lead. "Leading society in this effort fits squarely into the educational, research and public service missions of higher education," said Judy Walton, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. "No other institution in society has the influence, the critical mass and the diversity of skills needed to successfully reverse global warming."

Smart Transportation Strategies Can Achieve Emission Reduction Targets And Provide Other Important Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits

Win-Win Transportation Solutions are cost-effective, technically feasible market reforms that solve transportation problems by increasing consumer options and removing market distortions that cause excessive motor vehicle travel. They provide many economic, social and environmental benefits. If implemented to the degree that is economically justified, Win-Win Solutions could achieve the transportation component of Kyoto emission reduction targets while stimulating economic development and helping address problems such as traffic congestion, accidents and inadequate mobility for non-drivers. This paper discusses the Win-Win concept and describes various Win-Win strategies.

Tech industry shifts towards green

Carl Guardino, the tech group's CEO, says the position on global warming has the support of all 210 member companies, which includes virtually all of the area's major technology players. Mr. Guardino says his group will be spending this year challenging business groups around the U.S. to follow the example set by his association, such as to greatly increase car pooling at local companies.

Green Building takes off

The report shows that green building has matured from its early days as an environmental ‘crusade’ into a well established construction sector with a strong business backing. The shift from an environmentally principled approach to a view of green building as a lucrative financial opportunity is the focus of the paper.

Union says transit cuts are too deep

"The cuts are far beyond what is necessary or appropriate and we need everybody's help to rescind them," said Patrick McMahon, president-business agent of Local 85, Amalgamated Transit Union, representing about 2,500 rank-and-file workers..."The bottom line is we need a source of adequate, dedicated state funding," Mr. McMahon said -- an issue that Local 85 and authority management have agreed upon and pursued for years to no avail.

National Association of Realitors magazine focus on equitable development

People who care about inclusion and diversity are viewing Smart Growth, which supports a greater diversity and connectivity in the physical pattern of growth, as one tool to bring people together across racial and class lines. Coupled with policies and approaches that reduce racial barriers and provide increased economic opportunities for minorities, Smart Growth can get us closer to our ideal of one America.

Connecticut towns offer their legislative priorities for 2007

Inable such COGs to (a) share the property tax benefits of economic development in order to encourage cooperation and smart growth, (b) share a portion of state sales tax and other revenues collected within a region, and (c) exercise other powers that encourage intermunicipal cooperation, decision-making and regional success.

Congress to reconsider caps on carbon

Their bill, announced Friday, is intended to cut the heat-trapping emissions by 2 percent a year. It is sure to produce a contentious debate on climate control in the new Democratic-run Congress and draw strong opposition from the White House and industry.

A World First: Governor to order new standard to reduce carbon content of motor fuels

California will create the world's first global warming pollution standard for transportation fuels, ratcheting down fuel carbon content 10 percent by 2020 under a plan put forward by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Tuesday in his State of the State address...Schwarzenegger plans to issue an executive order requiring the state's Air Resources Board to draft rules for a new carbon fuel standard, which would take effect in January 2010. His authority to do that comes from landmark legislation signed last year aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across a wide spectrum of industries.

Climate Experts Worry as 2006 Is Hottest Year on Record in U.S.

According to the government's National Climatic Data Center, the record-breaking warmth -- which caused daffodils and cherry trees to bloom throughout the East on New Year's Day -- was the result of both unusual regional weather patterns and the long-term effects of the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Dark cloud over good works of Gates Foundation

By comparing these investments with information from for-profit services that analyze corporate behavior for mutual funds, pension managers, government agencies and other foundations, The Times found that the Gates Foundation has holdings in many companies that have failed tests of social responsibility because of environmental lapses, employment discrimination, disregard for worker rights, or unethical practices...Some foundation trustees shun ethical investments out of concern about inferior returns. But several studies conducted over the last decade by financial analysts have eased that worry. Despite some exceptions, many mutual funds, for instance, that consider the social and environmental impact of their investments compete well against standard funds.

Dell Founder Wants to Offset Energy Consumption

He said Dell, the computer company he founded, would begin a program called “Plant a Tree for Me,” asking customers to donate $2 for every notebook computer they buy and $6 for every desktop PC. The money would be given to the Conservation Fund and the Carbonfund, two nonprofit groups that promote ways to reduce or offset carbon emissions, to buy and plant trees.

For information on becoming a Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh, please visit our website.

3E Links is sent as a service to Sustainable Pittsburgh Members and interested parties and is being distributed for informational purposes. The information above was provided by the organizing institution or one of its representatives. Our distribution does not imply endorsement. To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Click here to access the 3E Links Archive. Use "Search" on SP's homepage for a great resource.

Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region in integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Please review SP's regional assessments and vision/policies for the future: SWPA Regional Indicators Report, Citizens' Vision for Smart Growth, and Regional Policy Guidance Document by clicking on the links to our website.

The Transportation for Livable Communities project is a partnership of Sustainable Pittsburgh and the national Surface Transportation Policy Project to advance a sustainable transportation system for Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2006 from:

Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Dollar Bank
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
PNC Bank
Richard King Mellon Foundation


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1335
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP