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Events

Sustainable Development Academy:

Putting Energy Savings to Work in Your Municipality

A partnership between Local Government Academy and Sustainable Pittsburgh

Friday, March 19
9:00 am - Noon
Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon

In today’s economy, what sort of investment will pay 15% return on investment within three years? The answer is investments in energy savings! This program for municipal officials is designed to mirror the well-attended Champions for Sustainability program recently organized for businesses. The morning-long event features: examples of how energy and money saving programs have been successfully implemented in municipal operations, experts in the areas of energy auditing and efficiency, and information about funding for initiating energy savings programs in communities.

More information

Resources

C4S Workshop: Certified Sustainable Products: Innovation in Manufacturing

Friday March 12
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Hosted by: Eaton Corporation, 1000 Cherrington Parkway, Moon Township
Registration Fee: $75.00 Sustainable Pittsburgh/C4S members; $95.00 nonmembers
Registration information to be available at www.C4SPgh.org.
Contact: Matthew M. Mehalik, Ph.D., Program Manager, Sustainable Pittsburgh at (412) 258-6644 or mmehalik@sustainablepittsburgh.org

One of the key strategies used by advanced economies that maintain an extensive regional manufacturing infrastructure involves promoting ways for manufacturers to climb higher on the value chain. This means companies supply products and solutions that demand a higher return because the products and services reflect greater levels of skills, knowledge, capabilities, and innovation. Other parts of the U.S. do this for aerospace products. Switzerland does this for precision watches. Germany does this for optics. Japan for electronics.

Southwestern Pennsylvania is well-positioned to help its manufacturers command the growing field of products based on sustainable solutions—-products that meet the quality functional needs that other business or retail consumers want, while using materials that eliminate or reduce the impacts of those products that are otherwise externalized on society as a whole.

This workshop features manufacturers and purchasers who have successfully achieved sustainable product certification as well as guidance on the certification process itself. Two panels of high profile industry leaders provide details on the benefits of certification-—in terms of financial payback, regulatory risk minimization, and, most importantly, as an innovation driver for tapping into growing new markets.

Agenda: Certified Sustainable Products
8:30 Continental Breakfast
9:00 Welcome - Rich Holder, President, Eaton Electrical
9:10 Program Objective & Background on Champions for Sustainability - Phyllis Barber, Sustainability Director, Highmark, & Steering Committee Co-chair, Champions for Sustainability
9:15 Manufacturing Panel
• Jason Bondra, WESCO Sustainability Director
• Denny Darragh, CEO, Forbo Flooring
• Steve McGuire, Philips Sustainability Director
• John White, Eaton Energy Director
Issues: - climate neutral manufacturing
- important sustainable product attributes & prerequisites
- third party certifications
- increasing sales & profitability, sustainable manufacturing underwriting
- Certified Sustainable Product Credit
- eliminating greenwash & market confusion & Leadership Standards Campaign with the Sierra Club.
10:30 break
10:45 Purchasers Panel
• Rob Hewell, GSA Public Building Service Regional Commissioner (invited)
• Jim Kane, Regional President, Home Depot (invited)
Issues: - Home Depot Eco Options
- Climate Change Executive Order compliance
- avoiding criminal liability under Lacey Act for selling illegally logged wood
11:30 How to Get Certified - Keith Winn, President, Catalyst Partners
12:30 Adjourn

The Green Chemistry Debate is ON!

POLICY ISSUES AND REFORM OF THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA)
Thursday, March 18
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square East, North Side
Cost: $30; Light refreshments will be served.
More information and registration

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh's Champions for Sustainability and the Rachel Carson Homestead Association for what promises to be a GREAT debate on Green Chemistry, Policy Issues and the reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This formal debate will feature key representatives from industry, environmental groups and other experts, and includes the American Chemistry Council, Environmental Working Group and Bayer Corporation. Green Chemistry is happening now and is already changing the way major corporations and green-tech start-ups are designing the products people use every day. With the upcoming reform of TSCA - originally passed in 1976 - is there a need to put greater emphasis on safety and public health when it comes to a new chemicals policy in the United States? Learn why TSCA is so important to your business, your health and the environment - and the future of green chemistry.

Moderator:
Gordon Mitchell, Director, William Pitt Debating Union, University of Pittsburgh (to be confirmed)

Debaters:
Michael P. Walls, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, American Chemistry Council
Timothy Jones, Regulatory Affairs - Material Science, Bayer Corporation
Jason Rano, Legislative Analyst, Environmental Working Group
Maryann Donovan, Ph.D., MPH, Director, UPCI Center for Environmental Oncology

Panel of Questioners:
Terry Collins, Ph.D., Thomas Lord Professor of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
Student(s),William Pitt Debating Union, University of Pittsburgh
(other names to be published)

Sustainable Development Academy:
Putting Energy Savings to Work in Your Municipality

A partnership between Local Government Academy and Sustainable Pittsburgh
Friday, March 19
9:00 am - Noon
Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Fee: $35
Registration

In today’s economy, what sort of investment will pay 15% return on investment within three years? The answer is investments in energy savings! This program for municipal officials is designed to mirror the well-attended program recently organized for businesses. The morning-long event features: examples of how energy and money saving programs have been successfully implemented in municipal operations, experts in the areas of energy auditing and efficiency, and information about funding for initiating energy savings programs in communities.

Agenda:
8:30 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 What is possible: Energy and Municipal Operations - John Trant, Cranberry Township; Greg Wozniak, G. A. Wozniak & Associates
9:45 Energy Audits: What to expect? - Greg Wozniak, G. A. Wozniak & Associates; Chuck Watson, Energy Chaser.com; and Danelle Ardell, Noresco
10:30 Funding Energy Programs - Dave Defide, Duquesne Light; Carolyn Pengidore, Clearchoice Energy
11:15 From Recommendations to Practice: Mt. Lebanon (tour of facilities) - Steve Feller, Mt. Lebanon
12:00 Adjourn

SAVE THE DATE!
Water Matters! Global Water Conference

A World Environment Day key event serving to raise awareness of the importance of water and its interconnectedness with biodiversity.

Thursday, June 3
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh
Information coming soon. www.pittsburghwed.com
For sponsorship opportunities, email cgould@sustainablepittsburgh.org.
To be an exhibitor, email sue@mcmahon-cardillo.com.

The United Nations Environment Programme appointed Pittsburgh as North America's Host City for World Environment Day 2010. Plan to attend this remarkable, milestone for the region, Water Matters! Global Water conference.

Partial list of presenters:
- David Ainsworth, United Nations Convention on Biodiversity
- Herb Buxton, USGS
- Marla Cone, Environmental Health News
- Marc Edwards, Virginia Tech
- Amy Fraenkel, UNEP Regional Office for North America
- Chip Giller, Grist
- Greg Koch, Global Water Stewardship Program, Coca Cola Company
- Mike Magee, healthy-waters.org
- Rich Meeusen, Badger Meter Co and Milwaukee 7 Water Council
- James Rogers, Duke Energy
- Carl Safina, Blue Ocean Institute

Presented by the Pittsburgh World Environment Day Partnership
In Collaboration with: United Nations Environment Programme
Conference Sponsors: Bayer Corporation

Start-Up! A School for Local Living Economy - Open House

Saturday, February 20
10:00 am – Noon
Kingsley Association, Corner of Frankstown Rd and E. Liberty Blvd, East Liberty
Admission free with RSVP. Otherwise, $2 at the door.
Register by phone, 412-677-3109, or by email at startupinfo@startup1.org.
Visit our website at www.startup1.org

Attention: Community Oriented Business Owners, Language Instructors, Green Business Managers, Artists, Accountants, Consultants, Real Estate Agents and Urban Farmers:

Start-Up is an incorporated, instructor-owned school whose mission is to empower the people of Pittsburgh in building locally-owned, environmentally-friendly businesses that enrich the local community. Start-Up is partnering with The Kingsley Association to bring affordable business, environmental, and cultural education to the people and neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Potential instructors are invited to an Open House to learn more about sharing your skills through Start-Up!

Design Excellence Lecture Series featuring Alan Greenberger, Executive Director, Philadelphia City Planning Commission

Monday, February 22
6pm
George Rowland White Theatre, Point Park University, 414 Wood St., Downtown Pittsburgh
Cost: $20 (Includes lecture, panel discussion and reception)
For more information, call (412) 391-4144 or click here.

The Design Excellence Lecture Series, produced by the Community Design Center Of Pittsburgh (CDCP), provides a forum for planners and civic officials, architects, landscape architects, community and civic organizations, design enthusiasts and students to hear from nationally-acclaimed professionals in the field of civic planning and design. This season's theme is "The Intentional City." The Community Design Center of Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization that improves quality of life through good design of the built environment.

Living Legends: An Afternoon with John Marshall (son of Thurgood Marshall) and Charles Hamilton Houston, Jr. (son of Charles Hamilton Houston)

Tuesday, February, 23
3:00 pm
Power Center Ballroom, Duquesne University
The event is free and open to the public.
More information

This historic event, bringing together the sons of two of the most significant civil rights figures in American history, is the first time these men have come together to talk about the remarkable contributions of their fathers --- and their roles in achieving a civil rights revolution that transformed the United States and guaranteed equal justice for all. The event will also feature the national premiere of a 15-minute film, regarding the singular achievements of Thurgood Marshall and Charles Houston, introduced and narrated by their sons. Moderated by Interim Dean Ken Gormley.

CityLive! Beyond LEED: The Future of Green Buildings

Tuesday, February 23
6:30 pm
New Hazlett Theater, North Side
RSVP
Cocktails and conversation to follow

The Pittsburgh region has been a leader in the green building wave. With innovative thinkers in its ranks and technological advances happening in its midst, Pittsburgh is poised to remain in the lead. Will progress come solely from within the region, or are there advances happening elsewhere that Pittsburghers can learn from? Will there be economic benefits? Is the biggest green bang for our buck only for new buildings, or can larger efficiencies be made in older buildings?

CityLive speakers will discuss the latest advances in the green building movement, what to expect in the future and what can be learned from innovation elsewhere. Anne Swager, Executive Director of AIA Pittsburgh will moderate. Speakers include former Ambassador Charles Ries, who is a Senior Fellow in the Rand, Washington, DC office and Maureen Guttman, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Governor's Green Government Council. Ambassador Ries has written about energy performance of buildings and what can be learned from the UK and Australia. Ms. Guttman, who sits on the International Construction Code panel, will discuss the national movement to implement green construction codes and what that means for Pennsylvania and area businesses.

Turtle Creek Greenway Public Meeting

Wednesday, February 24
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Murrysville Community Building, 3091 Carson Street, Murrysville
Flyer Press Release

Residents, business owners, and other interested parties in Monroeville, Murrysville, Penn Township, and Trafford Borough are invited to attend this public meeting to learn more about the Turtle Creek Greenway. Encompassing floodplains, forested steep slopes, and existing open space, the Greenway begins at Duff Park in Murrysville, follows Turtle Creek downstream through Penn Township and Monroeville, and ends in Trafford Borough near the Westinghouse complex. A major goal of the current project phase is to explore the full conservation, recreation, and restoration potential along approximately six (6) miles of the Turtle Creek stream valley.

Healthy Choices Workshop: We Are What We Eat

Wednesday, February 24
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Carnegie Science Museum, 1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh 15212
Free to the public; registration is required.
More information and registration

We are all exposed to a complex "stew" of man-made chemicals in our water, in our food, in the air, and in personal care products. The potential for health effects resulting from the accumulation of more than 40 years of environmental pollution by some contaminants draws our attention to the unintended consequences - to our health and the environment - resulting from the synthetic materials we use every day. This series of Healthy Choices Workshops will look at the science and provide you with better options for making healthier decisions in your selection of personal care products, performing home and garden maintenance, reducing contaminants in your food and water. Knowledge is power. Becoming better informed about the products you purchase will help to bring safer products to the marketplace.

Expert speakers include:
Maryann Donovan, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Center for Environmental Oncology-UPCI
Judith Focareta RN, MEd, Coordinator Environmental Health Initiatives, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
Patricia DeMarco, Ph.D., Executive Director, Rachel Carson Homestead Association

Moderator: Bill Couzens, advisor to the Center for Environmental Oncology; Founder of Less Cancer Campaign and Next Generation Choices Foundation
Audience Q&A is a very important part of this program.
Presentation organizers will also be showing FRESH, the movie produced and directed by ana Sofia joanes. FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

New Date for 2010 Census Lunch & Learn

Wednesday, March 3
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (Lunch will be provided)
Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG), 1901 Centre Avenue, Suite 200, 15219.
Cost: FREE for all PCRG Members; $12 for all PCRG government and bank partners; $15 for non-member organizations
RSVP: Jared at programs@pcrg.org or 412-391-6732 ext. 210
All RSVPs must be received by noon on Friday, February 26th. Space is limited. Flyer

Benita Johnson, Partnership Specialist with the US Census Bureau, will be discussing the 2010 Census. The Census is more than just a simple counting of every person within the United States of America. It plays an important role in the amount of federal funds that get distributed for hospitals, schools, job training centers, and many more social services for our communities. The discussion will center on how imperative it is for neighborhoods to complete the census and its effects on businesses, non-profit organizations, and our communities.

Course in Zoning

Three-Part Course
March 8, 15 & 22, 2010
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus, 595 Beatty Road, Monroeville
Fee: $95
Continuing Education Credits are available for real estate professionals and attorneys for an additional fee.
Register Here

One of those most important appointments is for the Zoning Hearing Board--a quasi-judicial body of a municipality. Consequence of this board functioning poorly can be damaging to a municipal organization and the community. Be sure everyone involved in zoning--especially your zoning hearing board--is well-trained.

Among the topics in the course are:
· The relationship of zoning to comprehensive plans
· The key terms used in zoning and how they are applied
· The critical issues in drafting a zoning ordinance and map
· The procedures for adopting and amending ordinances
· Basic zoning administration.

Instructors:
Jeff Pierce and Chris Rearick, Olsen & Associates, LLC

'There is more to me than white': Moving from Whiteness Studies to Privilege Studies

Tuesday, March 16
Noon – 1:30 pm
School of Social Work Conference Center, 2017 Cathedral of Learning, 20th Floor, Oakland
Lunch will be provided; registration is not required.
More information: 412-624-7382 / www.crsp.pitt.edu

As part of the Reed Smith Spring 2010 Speaker Series, the Center on Race and Social Problems from the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh presents Abby L. Ferber, Associate Professor of Women's and Ethnic Studies, University of Colorado. Abby Ferber is the author of "White Man Falling: Race, Gender and White Supremacy," Rowman & Littlefield, (1998), and co-author of the American Sociological Associations' "Hate Crime in America: What Do We Know?" (2000). She is also the co-author of "Making a Difference: University Students of Color Speak Out", Rowman & Littlefield (2002), and a co-edited anthology with Michael Kimmel, "Privilege: A Reader", Westview Press (2003.) She is also the author of "Home Grown Hate: Gender and Organized Racism", Routledge (2004.) She is widely recognized as a leading scholar of the far right, and her articles have been widely published in academic journals (including Ethnic and Racial Studies, Rural Sociology, Sociological Perspectives, Social Identities, Men and Masculinities, Sociological Focus and Teaching Sociology) as well as news outlets including The Denver Post and The Chronicle on Higher Education. Ferber is a frequent presenter at the meetings of the American Sociological Association and the Society for the Study of Social Problems. She received her PhD in Sociology from the University of Oregon.

Beyond Paper and Plastic: A Closer Look at Recycling and Environmental Toxins

Monday, March 22
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Carnegie Science Center, North Shore
Flyer

Join Women for a Healthy Environment for informative evening at the Carnegie Science Center. Featured speakers:
Sarah Alessio - Environmental Program Specialist, Pennsylvania Resources Council
The PA Resources Council presentation will focus on the issues of toxins that one comes into contact with on a daily basis and how these toxins can affect human health and the health of the environment. This presentation will also cover practical solutions to help people avoid exposure to toxins such as safe product alternatives. Also discussed will be the proper way to dispose of such materials at home and at local collection events.

Ned Eldridge – President, eLoop llc
For the last 25 years the products of technological advancement and innovation have entertained the world, improved data processing and placed people in touch minute-to-minute for 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. These products have clearly improved the quality of life for those in developed countries, but they were designed and built with materials that have an adverse impact on the environment. While future devices may contain less toxic materials through a more sustainable design, the current devices contain toxins that require more effort to dispose of properly. Constant and rapid innovation causes premature obsolescence for these products that are retired from service. Some products can be refurbished and resold, but most of this material is destined to be discarded creating the fastest growing waste stream in the world. eLoop llc is committed to managing the ewaste stream.

Mike Gable – Executive Director, Construction Junction
Construction Junction will present an overview of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of choosing to reuse material. Construction Junction will outline reuse strategies to incorporate into your home and commercial remodeling projects with an emphasis on the potential environmental toxins encountered when reusing materials and how to remodel safely. The presentation will also focus on why reuse trumps recycling on the solid waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle.

The mission of Women for a Healthy Environment is to educate and empower women to be ambassadors about environmental risks so that they can make healthy choices for themselves and their families and advocate for change for a better tomorrow for all.

Resources

Video highlights Sustainable Pittsburgh's Champions for Sustainability

During its time "in the spotlight" on The Heinz Endowments webpage, Sustainable Pittsburgh blogged about a number of projects and happenings. Most recently, SP uploaded a video about Champions for Sustainability, the network for businesses in southwestern PA working to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. Featured guests include Matt Mehalik, Program Manager, Sustainable Pittsburgh; Phyllis Barber, Sustainability Coordinator, Highmark; and Allison Robinson, Director of Environmental Initiatives at UPMC.

Update - World Environment Day (WED)

A variety of WED updates are now available including how to get green certified for your WED event, submitting press releases for posting, and taking the Earth Day 40 Challenge--in addition to a community forum scheduled for March.

The Pittsburgh region's green pedigree shows in the remarkable volume and range of activities being planned (and growing daily) for the six-week period Earth Day 40th (April 22) to World Environment Day (June 5). See the chronological list of happenings found at the Pittsburgh WED Web site.

The United Nations Environment Programme picked Pittsburgh as North America's Host for WED 2010. Now you're it. Make World Environment Day a southwestern PA game changer. Success will be found in the region being empowered, taking hold, and implementing WED happenings for lasting impact. WED belongs to you. No permission necessary. Take it and make it.

Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program Advance Notice and Request for Comment

This notice announces HUD's intention to offer funding through a competition made available as a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) under its Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program (Program). As part of the Administration's efforts to increase transparency in government operations and to expand opportunities for stakeholders to engage in decisionmaking, HUD is seeking comments on the Program through this Advance Notice. Feedback received through this process will permit HUD and its partners to better understand how this Program can support cooperative regional planning efforts that integrate housing, transportation, environmental impact, and economic development. HUD is seeking input from State and local governments, regional bodies, community development entities, and a broad range of other stakeholders on how the Program should be structured in order to have the most meaningful impact on regional planning for sustainable development. The goal of the Program is to support multijurisdictional regional planning efforts that integrate housing, economic development, and transportation decision-making in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of economic growth, social equity and environmental impact simultaneously.

More

Call for Outreach Coordinators

The Power of 32 (P32) is excited to announce a unique opportunity to help shape a significant regional visioning effort that will bring 32 counties in 4 states together. Fifteen individuals will be selected to serve as Outreach Coordinators throughout the region to work with key business, governmental and non-profit leaders to help organize Community Conversations and implement Regional Town Meetings.

As strong community leaders who have demonstrated significant interest in our region, your assistance is crucial to help us generate qualified candidates to serve as Outreach Coordinators. Your ability to connect with the community, its leaders, and your friends on Linked-In and Facebook ensure that the highest quality individuals will be serving the region proudly as we strive to create a stronger, more unified region.

Without a doubt, the Outreach Coordinator role is a crucial-element of our strategy to engage residents who represent the demographic make-up of our region. The primary responsibility of the Outreach Coordinator will be to implement a plan to engage a representative cross section of participants. Outreach Coordinators will work with District Outreach Teams, volunteer facilitators and central P32 staff and will receive training in various aspects of community engagement including: outreach, communication, meeting design and facilitation.

For accountability and transparency, all interested candidates must complete the Outreach Coordinator application by February 26th.

Thanks in advance for your assistance to help P32 generate qualified candidates that will best serve the region. If you need any additional information, please contact Bill Schlachter at bills@powerof32.org or (412) 648-9301.

One Book One Community

The Allegheny County Library Association is excited to promote local nature and environment through its 8th One Book One Community selection, "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. One Book themes facilitate promotion of what other organizations are already doing in the community as well as bringing individuals together for stimulating discussion and provoking new thinking. The concentration of the initiative is throughout the month of April leading nicely into Earth Day to World Environment Day. Public libraries across the county host a variety of One Book related programs and discussions. Intent is to leave community members with actions they can take to their homes, neighborhoods and region. Each year the Allegheny County Library Association collaborates with a variety of community partners! The Association invites you to highlight your organization and WED initiatives through One Book One Community. Possible ways include Guest Blogger, Speakers Bureau, Volunteer Opportunities, 10 Ways to Be Green, Green Fun in Allegheny County, Podcasts and Videos. For additional information, please contact the Allegheny County Library Association at (412) 921-1123. "A Walk in the Woods" chronicles one man’s journey along the Appalachian Trail and is filled with humor, adventure, mishaps and most importantly an appreciation of the natural beauty of the environment along the trail. What begins as an adventure becomes a learning experience about the history of the trail and the environmental dangers that both man and nature pose. As Allegheny County is establishing itself as a nationally recognized green community, Bill Bryson’s lessons learned along the Appalachian Trail underscore the importance of preserving our natural environment.

Announcing the GIVE Energy Pittsburgh Prize! $15,000 for local sustainable energy projects.

The Sprout Fund, in conjunction with the GIVE Energy beverage line, is excited to announce the GIVE Energy Pittsburgh Prize, a contest to award $15,000 ($10k first prize, five $1k runner-ups) to local alternative and sustainable energy initiatives. GIVE is excited to partner with the people of Pittsburgh to fund projects on the cutting edge of energy innovation. The application deadline is March 12, 2010. If you have questions or would like to discuss your project idea, please contact Dustin Stiver at The Sprout Fund at (412) 325-0646 or energyprize@drinkgive.com.

Meetings intended to stir interest in Friends of the Riverfront

Friends of the Riverfront will conduct three public meetings in March to go over plans for a 30-mile trail stretching along the Allegheny River from Millvale to Freeport. . .Large maps detailing the preferred and practical routes of the trail will be on display at the meetings and will be discussed. . ."This is the beginning of a process to engage municipalities, leaders and the public," said Tom Baxter, executive director of Friends of the Riverfront. "So now is the time to be involved."

Larimer energy center will provide sustainability resources for low-income Pittsburghers

The center will help low-income residents in Larimer-Lincoln, Homewood, East Liberty, Bloomfield and Garfield make their homes more energy-efficient through education and resources, and be a "one-stop shop" to learn more about, and apply for, utility assistance programs. Additionally, the facility will demonstrate all the money-saving green technologies it advocates, such as rainwater harvesting, LED lighting, low-water use plumbing fixtures, geothermal walls, solar panels, urban gardening and more.

Global Weirding Is Here

Of the festivals of nonsense that periodically overtake American politics, surely the silliest is the argument that because Washington is having a particularly snowy winter it proves that climate change is a hoax and, therefore, we need not bother with all this girly-man stuff like renewable energy, solar panels and carbon taxes. Just drill, baby, drill.

Drillers admit dumping water in national forest

Two men from a Kansas oil-drilling firm pleaded guilty today to illegally dumping 200,000 gallons of brine water down an abandoned well in Pennsylvania's only national forest. The pollution by Swamp Angel LLC in the Allegheny National Forest could contaminate groundwater and streams, but authorities have not linked any water damage conclusively to the pollution, acting U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar said. The pleas before a federal judge in Erie should send a signal to oil and gas drillers to properly dispose of brine, a saltwater byproduct of the drilling process that sometimes also contains metals, Mr. Cessar said.

Rapid city growth threat to Africa's development-UN

Rapid and chaotic urbanisation is threatening sustainable development in Africa, the head of the U.N. housing agency said on Monday, but taking steps to mitigate climate change could help tackle some of the problems of cities. . . "After HIV and Aids, the biggest threat to sustainable development in Africa is rapid and chaotic urbanisation, because it is a recipe for disaster for increased tensions and pressure."

TIGER Grants Offer Critical Support to Communities with Innovative Transportation Projects

Merit-based program an excellent model for the next transportation authorization

“These are the kinds of projects that will create good paying jobs, spur local economic development, revive our city centers and create regional integrated transportation solutions,” said John Robert Smith, the co-chair of T4 America and former Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi. “Today’s announcement clearly shows the administration’s commitment to supporting livability initiatives in metropolitan regions, smaller communities and rural areas alike.”

What’s Wrong With Us?

Bob Herbert asks, 'What's wrong with us?' in this editorial on America's crumbling infrastructure and the uphill battle to get it fixed. The editorial focuses on Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania's fight for greater investment in infrastructure, from water mains to bridges. Herbert writes, "Competitors are leaving us behind when it comes to infrastructure investment. China is building a network of 42 high-speed rail lines, while the U.S. has yet to build its first. Other nations are well ahead of us in the deployment of broadband service and green energy technology. We spend scandalous amounts of time sitting in traffic jams or enduring the endless horrors of airline travel. Low-cost, high-speed Internet access is a science-fiction fantasy in many parts of the United States. What’s wrong with us?"

Take action NOW for clean water

Right now, members of Congress are deciding whether to support a bill that would finally put some federal muscle into protecting our waterways. The Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act will strengthen and amend the federal Clean Water Act. The bill will hold polluters accountable and commit the money needed to really enforce the law. This bill will help stop pollution from flowing into local rivers and streams.

Members of both the Senate and the House are in their home offices this week. That means that Senators Specter and Casey and members of Congress are available to their constituents. They need to hear from us. We must let them know that we want clean and healthy streams here in Pennsylvania and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay.

Please email your members of Congress NOW, or call them directly to urge their support. Let them know that you support clean water and expect them to do the same. We need their leadership in protecting and restoring our waterways. Send an mail or make a call to Congress now to ask them to support the Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act.

Together, we can make a difference.

CMU class aims to help transform needy communities

This semester students will again work with Wilkinsburg, as well Monroeville, the central North Side, the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County sustainability departments, Tarentum, Swissvale and Verona. Most of the communities still are trying to transform themselves after the decline of industrial-based employment, said Matt Mehalik, program manager at Sustainable Pittsburgh, who teaches the course.

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 or obtained from 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 to integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support ($1,000 and up) in 2010 from:

Allegheny County - Dan Onorato, County Executive
Atkins Family Foundation
BNY Mellon
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
Highmark
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
FedEx Ground
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
UPMC
Waste Management


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