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Events

Engineering Sustainable Solutions for Your Community

Thursday, June 18
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Registration begins at 7:30 am)
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry, PA
Cost: $90 for Members; $120 for Non-Members (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
For more information, visit http://www.c4spgh.org/know.html

Four of Western Pennsylvania’s business and engineering professional organizations have come together to provide a program of practical, cost-saving, sustainable solutions for infrastructure design, including energy policy, water resource systems, buildings, and community sustainability initiatives. Come to learn about the latest advancements and solutions. This conference is perfect for businesses, engineers, architects, non-profits, and government agencies interested in our region’s infrastructure from a sustainability perspective.

Hosts:
American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section
Environmental & Water Resources Institute
Architectural Engineering Institute
Sustainable Pittsburgh's Champions for Sustainability network

Resources

8th annual Great Outdoors Week

May 15-24, 2009
Various locations throughout SWPA
Updates continue to be made at www.wallsarebad.com. Check back often!

It's that time of year again! Great Outdoors Week highlights the many outdoor amenities available in Southwestern Pennsylvania—everything from our rivers, to parks, to trails and more! During this special week, tons of activities are available for the sampling, including bicycling, hiking, paddling, and bird watching—-all hosted by local outdoor groups in the region! Be sure to check out the four signature events, in addition to numerous other activities that are scheduled. Individuals of all skill levels are invited to participate in Great Outdoors Week activities. Go on---give it a try.

Signature events:
5/15 - "Learn to Row" Indoor Session
5/16 - Venture Outdoors Festival
5/17 - Pedal Pittsburgh
5/24 - Rachel's Sustainable Feast – Sampling the Best of Western Pennsylvania

Be sure to stop by Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh, for the Great Outdoors Week kick-off, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 14 from 11am to 1pm. (Rain Date May 15), Individuals are invited to test their skills on the climbing wall, try out a kayak (safely on land!), and meet local outdoors groups. Enjoy music, get some free stuff, and enter to win great raffle prizes!

For a complete listing of events (more are being added every day!) and to learn how to get involved, call 412-258-6646 or visit www.wallsarebad.com, SWPA's resource for outdoor recreation.

Register Now: 2009 9th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference

"Sustainable Community Essentials: applying the policy and practice"
Thursday, May 21
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (continental breakfast and lunch included; reception to follow)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
Keynote speaker: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates
Cost: Last Days for Early Registration: $30. After May 1: $50 (Elected officials attend for free)
Register Now

- Keynote: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates, an architecture and planning firm regarded as one of the most sustainable design practices in the country. Having a mission to create sustainable human environments, Farr Associates' unique niche is in applying the principles of LEED at the scale of the neighborhood.

- Update by James Ritzman, Deputy Secretary for Planning, PennDOT, on the Federal Stimulus Package and PennDOT Smart Transportation Initiative

- Panel review of sustainable community initiatives around the region featuring:
Lindsay Baxter, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Pittsburgh
Jason Dailey, Cranberry Township
Mark Alan Hughes, Director of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia
Murray Rust, Montgomery & Rust, Inc.
Jesse Jon Salensky, Vandergrift Improvement Program
Nathan Wildfire, Sustainable Policy Coordinator, East Liberty Development, Inc.

- Workshops tracking new "Essentials of Sustainable Communities" resources (14 topics from which to choose via conference registration)

- Distribution of the SWPA Sustainable Community Rapid Assessment worksheet

- Reception featuring table displays by lead organizations per the 14 Essentials of Sustainable Communities

Today's difficult times are placing extraordinary strains on our region's communities. Rising costs of all types are putting a tight squeeze on municipalities and residents. Expectations and needs are also increasing. The policy and practice of sustainable development offers solutions. Come learn how your community, municipality, or county can put sustainability to work to save taxpayer dollars and avoid costs, meet needs equitably, conserve resources, and attract investment. Sustainability is central to professional management of local government and a collective imperative for Southwestern Pennsylvania's competitiveness and quality of life. Learn how to accelerate your community's success on environmental stewardship, social equity, economic development as well as fiscal viability and organizational capacity to learn, innovate and adapt.

Presented by:
Community Design Center of Pittsburgh
Local Government Academy
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development
Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
Sustainable Community Development Network, Sustainable Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics

Sponsored by:
Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C.
Michael Baker Corporation
Bombardier

Sustainable Community Development Essentials: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies

Thursday, June 4
9:00 am - Noon (8:30 am registration)
Avalon Borough Municipal Building, 640 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Fee: $35 per person (Includes registration, handouts, light refreshments, and certificate of attendance)
Members of the NEOC Alumni Association receive a $10 discount.
More information

This seminar will review practical tools, strategies and case studies for pursuing the process of sustainability in municipal government in Southwestern Pennsylvania. No matter the “stage” a community may find itself in—whether in need of redevelopment, in the stage of figuring out how to maintain a current trajectory, or in a stage of managing growth in smart ways, the framework of sustainable development offers a practical compass for getting this right today and in the future. Through this session participants will:
- Experience how sustainability principles are tools that support local government decision making.
- Learn strategies for introducing & adopting sustainability guidelines for your municipality.
- Explore case studies of how other early adopters have benefited from implementing policies and programs to advance sustainable development.
- Consider tools and strategies for sustainable approaches to energy, resource management, waste and recycling, green procurement, human resources, etc. and for enhancing governance systems including the budget and capital improvement process.

Instructors:
Court Gould, Sustainable Pittsburgh
Susan Hockenberry, Local Government Academy
Matthew Mehalik, Sustainable Pittsburgh
John Trant, Cranberry Township
Joy Wilhelm, DCED Governor’s Center for Local Government Services

Engineering Sustainable Solutions for Your Community

Thursday, June 18
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Registration begins at 7:30 am)
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry, PA
Cost: $90 for Members; $120 for Non-Members (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
For more information, visit http://www.c4spgh.org/know.html

Four of Western Pennsylvania’s business and engineering professional organizations have come together to provide a program of practical, cost-saving, sustainable solutions for infrastructure design, including energy policy, water resource systems, buildings, and community sustainability initiatives. Come to learn about the latest advancements and solutions. This conference is perfect for businesses, engineers, architects, non-profits, and government agencies interested in our region’s infrastructure from a sustainability perspective.

Hosts:
American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section
Environmental & Water Resources Institute
Architectural Engineering Institute
Sustainable Pittsburgh's Champions for Sustainability network

Modeling Carbon Mitigation Strategies at the Municipal Level

Friday, May 1
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Room 101, Rockwell Hall, Duquesne University
RSVP: Nagaraj Sivasubramaniam, Program Director, MBA - Sustainability at 412-396-6251 or sivasubr@duq.edu

A free workshop organized by Duquesne University’s Donahue Graduate School of Business, School of Law and Center for Environmental Research & Education. This hands-on workshop will help elected officials, city/borough managers and policy analysts learn more about the tools and techniques available to analyze the costs and benefits associated with different CO2 emission reduction strategies. At the workshop, participants will help generate policy scenarios derived from existing and proposed federal and state regulations and test their efficacy using the modeling tools available at Duquesne University.

SWPA Air Quality Partnership Kickoff Event

Saturday, May 2
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
23rd and Penn Avenue in the Strip District

Please Join the Southwestern Air Quality Partnership for free food and entertainment! The event will feature alternative transportation options to demonstrate how you can save money and help preserve our environment!
Facts:
- Over a period of 5 years, the 30-MPG vehicle will save you $2,415!
- If one in 10 Americans used public transportation regularly, U.S. reliance on foreign oil could be cut by more than 40 percent!.....That means less cost to everyone!
- One light rail vehicle can take 125 cars off the road.
- Riding a bike, or walking not only conserves fuel, it improves your physical and mental health!

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Saturday, May 2
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
North Park Swimming Pool Parking Lot, Allegheny County
Cost: $2/gallon – Cash Only
For more information visit www.swpahhw.org or contact 412-488-7452.

The Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force is hosting a collection for household hazardous waste this weekend.
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS INCLUDE:
• aerosol cans
• automotive fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, brake fluid)
• batteries
• chemistry sets
• compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
• gasoline and kerosene
• household cleaners (ammonia, drain openers, acid cleaners, oven cleaners)
• mercury
• paint products (latex, oil based, alkyd based, arts/crafts chemicals, rust preservatives, creosote, water sealers, paint thinners, furniture strippers)
• pesticides /herbicides (rodent killers, insecticides, weed killers, mothballs, fertilizer)
• photo chemicals
• pool chemicals

THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT:
• ammunition • appliances • bulk waste • commercial and industrial waste • compressed gas cylinders (including propane tanks) • drugs • explosives • flares • fluorescent tubes • leaking containers • medical waste (including needles) • PCBs and dioxin • radioactive materials (including smoke detectors) • tires

Local Governments: Inform the Port Authority Connect 09 Service Development Plan With Your Specific Concerns

Monday, May 4
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12:30 pm registration)
Churchill Borough Municipal Building
-or-
Wednesday, May 6
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:30 pm registration)
Green Tree Borough Municipal Center
Cost:
$35 per person (Fee to Local Government Academy includes registration, handouts, refreshments, and certificate of attendance.)
Newly Elected Officials Course Graduates attend for $15. A limited number of additional scholarships are available from the Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund by request.
More information

Port Authority of Allegheny County is developing a Transit Development Plan to revitalize its bus service. A program of the Local Government Academy, this session is specifically designed for local governments to provide a first-hand look at potential route scenarios and opportunity to comment. Land use policies, public safety, transportation and other important municipal services are significantly impacted by the transit plan of an area. Your knowledge in these topics is needed to inform the planning process. Likewise, learn how you can better coordinate your public services with transit. Your citizens, riders, and businesses are the ultimate beneficiaries of your input. After a panel discussion, an open house format will feature route maps, and individualized discussion.

Presentation by:
Stephen Bland, CEO, Port Authority of Allegheny County

Panel:
Karen Hoesch, ACCESS
Lynn Manion, Airport Corridor Transportation Association
Dave Montz, Green Tree Borough

LGA is offering this session at two locations at different times of the day. The content of each session will be the same - choose the session that is more convenient for you.

Community forum featuring all three of Pittsburgh’s 2009 Democratic mayoral candidates - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Councilman Patrick Dowd and attorney Carmen L. Robinson

Thursday, May 7
3:15 pm -5:15 pm
Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland
Free and open to the public
Reservations are strongly recommended.
RSVP or find more information at www.ProArtsTickets.org or by calling 412-394-3353.
Parking is available on the streets surrounding the Carnegie Museum and Library and in the parking lot behind the museum.

Moderated by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette executive editor David Shribman, candidates will be asked to address topics of particular interest to the nonprofit sector, including its relationship to city government and the impact of today’s current economic climate. Submit your own questions for the candidates at pghmayoralquestions@gmail.com by Monday, May 5, 2009. Only pre-submitted questions will be considered.

Hard to Recycle Collection

Saturday, May 16
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Allegheny County Health Department, 39th Street and Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville)
Cost: Fees to drop off items vary
More information

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) in partnership with the Allegheny County Health Department is providing four opportunities for area residents to properly dispose of a wide variety of materials at “hard to recycle” collection events scheduled in 2009. At the upcoming events, individuals can drop off televisions, e-waste, cell phones, printer/toner cartridges, compact fluorescent bulbs, alkaline batteries and tires without rims for recycling. Participant fees vary and are posted on the PRC website at www.prc.org. A new partnership with Global Links will enable area residents to drop off medical equipment and supplies – such as crutches, canes and walkers – at PRC collection events at no cost.

Items that are FREE to drop off
· medical supplies (crutches, canes, walkers, etc.) – no medications accepted
· compact fluorescent bulbs
· alkaline batteries
· cell phones
· ink and toner cartridges

Fees for other items:
TV 19” & under $10
TV 20” – 29” $20
TV 30” – 39” $25
TV 40” or more $35
Console TV $35
TIRES (no rims) $2 each
CPU, Laptop or Servers $5
Monitors $10
Combination PC, Monitor, Keyboard $15
Printers/Scanners/Faxes/Small UPS $5
VHS/DVD/Phones/Routers $2

Great Decisions: The Arctic

Wednesday, May 20
Lite Fare Reception – 5:30 pm
Program – 6:00-8:00 pm
Please Note: Venue Change
National Aviary, 700 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
More information

What impact will rising global temperatures have on an environment already in serious flux? Additionally, the Arctic has been the center of a number of interesting environmental studies and has been a development target for many different nations competing to have a stake in the future of the area.

"Great Decisions" is eight facilitated discussions designed to promote informal give-and-take among participants in exploring all sides of an issue. As a guide to discussion, the Foreign Policy Association's (FPA) annual Great Decisions book is used, which highlights eight global and regional policy issues with background and arguments from various sides to stimulate discussion, debate, and a better understanding of the challenges facing policy-makers. The Great Decisions 2009 book may be purchased at a Council discount for $20.

CityLive! Your Region. Your Vision.

Wednesday, May 20
6:30 pm
New Hazlett Theater
RSVP: rsvp@citylivepgh.org

Many places around the world have profited from a broadly-participatory exercise in which all people from all sectors are invited to envision together the best future for their city or region. Come hear how this has worked both in this country and overseas. Panelists will include Mayor Valentino Castellani of the city of Turin, Italy, and Maureen McAvey of the Urban Land Institute, and Candi Castleberry-Singleton, Chief Diversity Officer of UPMC, as moderator.

The Future of City/County Collaboration

Friday, June 5
8:00 am - 3:45 pm
Senator John Heinz History Center, Strip District
Free to attend.
Advance registration required. Space Limited.
To register, visit www.iop.pitt.edu/June5.

The possibility of dynamic change in the way Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh are governed has received considerable attention recently, including requests to convene, inform, and engage the public in a dialogue about the relationship between the city and county governments. The University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics in collaboration with The Pittsburgh Foundation has arranged to bring key leaders from three metropolitan areas to Pittsburgh for a day-long forum on opportunities for city-county relations. Community leaders from Charlotte, Miami, and Louisville along with Mayor Ravenstahl and County Executive Onorato will be featured speakers at this event.

This wide-open forum will take a close look at multiple governance options and how each could impact the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County governance, and the possible effects on suburban municipalities. It will discuss not only the option of full structural consolidation (as exemplified by Louisville) but also functional consolidation (Charlotte-Mecklenburg County) and federated metropolitan government (Miami-Dade County). Prominent exponents of a full range of perspectives have been invited to participate on response panels. Following lunch, the Mayor and County Executive will present their views on city/county collaboration models. The presentations will be followed by a Legislative Response Panel and the forum will conclude with an open discussion session and question period.

This event is a must for anyone concerned about the future of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and should be highly relevant for residents of neighboring counties facing similar governance issues.

It’s a Gamble: How Will a Casino Affect Your Community?

Tuesday, June 16
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Calvary United Methodist Church, Allegheny and Beech Streets, North Side (about two blocks from the Rivers Casino site)
Free

The opening of the Rivers Casino will affect Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in many ways, from consumer spending patterns to the increased risk of gambling addiction. Get ready for the casino’s arrival by attending this lively, eye-opening forum.

Speakers will include:
Bill Kearney, reformed gambler from Philadelphia and leading advocate for measures to assist victims of gambling addiction and their families. Always a colorful presenter, Kearney will draw on his vast experience to describe the casino industry and how it attracts customers.
Lindsay Hargrove, certified gambling counselor, will discuss the impact of problem gambling and how to prevent, spot, and address it.
Bruce Barron of No Dice will discuss the recent expansion of legalized gambling and how it is reshaping American society and our economy.
This free event is hosted by Calvary UMC with planning assistance from the counseling staff of Allegheny Center Alliance Church and from No Dice.
More information to come!

Resources

Sussing Sustainability

"Sustainability" has different meanings depending on who is doing the talking. Corporations speak of "sustainable growth," economists of "sustainable economic recovery." Yet although such folks might be talking more about everlasting profit margins than about environmental impacts, they're probably content to be thought of as, well, "green.". . ."If somebody talks about sustainability, and they're not talking about social justice and the economy, they're not talking about sustainability," says Court Gould, who leads nonprofit advocacy group Sustainable Pittsburgh.

Etna Sprouting Green This Spring!

The Etna Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) is proud to announce today the official kick-off of their Main Street’s effort’s approach to become Pennsylvania’s first “Green Main Street.” This effort will work towards the revitalization of its Butler, Freeport, and Bridge Street business corridors utilizing the foundation of “green industries.” This particular effort will be unique, in comparison to all other state-wide Main Street efforts, as it will be the first one which will be built upon, with and by sustainable approaches and efforts. . . “Etna is well-positioned to carve out a niche of being a hotbed for sustainable business enterprise. Access to major water and road transport and connection to a commuter-friendly bike trail, a close knit business community and their supplier networks, and progressive leadership and collaboration with the Allegheny River Towns Enterprise Zone are among the many attributes that bode well for Etna’s green renaissance”, says Matt Mehalik of Sustainable Pittsburgh.

View signers of Transportation for America's Climate Change letter

Over 80 organizations signed on to Transportation for America's Climate Change letter. With the House moving quickly on the Climate Change legislation, and the Transportation draft due out in early May, Transportation for America thanks everyone for their swift action and support. Link to the letter is below.

More

For Neighborhoods to Receive Funding and Guidance to Improve Pedestrian Safety (up to $2000 per award)

The UNC Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC) is seeking up to 10 communities or neighborhoods interested in making their environment walkable and safe for pedestrians. Each selected site will be provided $2,000 for their participation, as well as technical assistance from pedestrian safety experts. Funding for this project is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). HSRC received this funding from NHTSA to pilot test the newly developed guidebook entitled A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities. The Resident's Guide is designed to be used by anyone who is looking for ways to improve the pedestrian safety and walkability of their neighborhood, whether they are just beginning to learn about pedestrian safety or are already part of an established community safety group. Completed proposals are due on May 29, 2009. Proposals must be submitted in one document in a PDF or WORD format using our online proposal submission form. HSRC anticipates selecting the awarded communities in mid-July 2009.

Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition Mayoral Forum Cancelled

The Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition Mayoral Candidates Forum – originally scheduled for Thursday, May 7 at 6 pm at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center – has been cancelled due to all three Democratic primary candidates being unable to participate. This is not to be confused with the Mayoral Forum scheduled for May 7 at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

The Coalition remains dedicated to introducing issues related to design, community development, and civic planning into the mayoral campaign discussion. Therefore, in lieu of a mayoral forum, the Coalition will be running paid advertisements in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (5/13-14) with the candidates’ responses to a variety of related questions including:
- What development challenges does Pittsburgh face and how will your administration address them?
- How will you balance historic preservation and new development?
- What city do you look toward as a model for design and planning practices, and why?
- How will you ensure that Pittsburgh’s share of the economic stimulus money is used for long-term investment and sustainable projects?
- What will be the agenda and priorities of the planning department in your administration?
- What is your plan for addressing blight and abandonment?
- What is your vision for Pittsburgh 50 years from now? How will we get there?
- How will you engage the community in a city-wide visioning process?

Languishing Century III Mall could reap refunds

Maintaining a lower assessment and getting a refund of tax payments could be in the works for Century III Mall in West Mifflin. . .The school district and borough had appealed the lower assessment to the board. Cambest said the lower assessment applies to tax years 2006 through 2009. All three taxing bodies, including Allegheny County, might have to make refunds to the mall, part of the Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group.

Beyond the Foreclosure Crisis: Reconstituting the Rental Housing Market in Pennsylvania

It is time to create a Pennsylvania housing market that offers people a range of choices in housing type, size, cost and location. Such a market does not currently exist in most areas of the state. Instead, the statewide housing market has come to resemble a grocery store that sells only steak and caviar, offering few products that make sense for a working family on a meatloaf budget. Growth in the supply of homes has been lopsided, overemphasizing the construction of large single-family houses, and this overemphasis has created an imbalance in local and regional real estate markets. Pennsylvania lacks enough variety and enough reasonably-priced housing supply to meet the needs of many consumers.

Sustainable Sweden Tour — 22nd–30th August 2009

This year we will focus on new economy, e.g. how to dematerialize the society, how to get a richer society by using fewer resources, how to satisfy human needs etc. We will start and end in Stockholm. We will also visit the biggest anthroposophical center in Europe at a place called Järna. We continue to Hällefors, a small town where they have used culture, food and life quality as key-words in their change of process into a sustainable community.

Neighborhoods to study development along T line

It will pay for a market analysis, a survey of capital needs, residential and commercial development efforts, financial planning, coordination between neighborhood groups and government agencies and gathering public input in Beechview, Allentown, Beltzhoover and Mount Washington.

Corporations learn how to earn by going 'green'

In 2000, the Green Power Market Development Group, a consortium of 15 major companies organized by the World Resources Institute, set a goal of installing 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy -- about as much as a large coal-fired power plant. Yesterday, the group announced that it had met this target, and that it has compiled its experiences in a report to help other companies get started. Ideas are percolating in the corporate world, where a few firms have led the way on sustainability efforts, but most are just now learning that government-led climate policy is a serious possibility -- and that their businesses will be affected. It has led some companies to point out the shortage of information and experience that the private sector will need to reduce its carbon footprint.

Don't Give Up Sustainability Now Or You'll Pay Later

Curtailing such investments is a mistake, we believe, because sustainability is closely aligned with critical moves companies need to make in a downturn--moves like doing more with less, returning to basics and investing prudently. We recommend, on the basis of what we've learned from our researches and consulting, that companies follow five low-cost sustainability principles to gain an edge in the troubled economy. . .At Accenture, the global management-consulting, outsourcing and technology company, we've found that five low-cost sustainability actions correlate well with the five dimensions we associate with high-performance businesses. They involve growth, profitability, positioning for the future, longevity and consistency. . .Companies can derive many benefits in particular from relationships with non-governmental organizations, especially drawing on them for their sustainability expertise and sterling reputations.

Building Community through Transportation

The overarching goal of Building Community through Transportation is to support Placemaking and transform federal, state, and metropolitan transportation policies and practice that currently prioritize moving people and goods over creating walkable, healthy and sustainable communities. This campaign is also focused on influencing the design of streets and transit facilities so they become assets and gathering places for civic life.

Take Action: Put thousands back to work quickly and responsibly with smart transportation spending

How will your state spend its transportation stimulus funds? Will your state spend scarce funds on new highway lanes while existing roads crumble? Could your state be home to the next major bridge collapse? Tell your Governor to make sure that the transportation stimulus spending boosts the economy while making the kinds of smart infrastructure investments that are not just shovel-ready, but future-ready.

Stop the bleeding with emergency service-preservation grants

The ability of millions of Americans to get where they need to go each day is threatened. Eleven million people may not get to work or school or to the doctor because their bus route stopped running or their subway car was overfilled. And thousands of transit workers are about to get laid off. It's happening today in nearly 100 American cities and towns, as jobs are cut, services are suspended, and fares are hiked sky high. The federal government can help – and Congressional leaders are already looking for ways to address the immediate problem, but they need to hear from you.

Let's get PA off the "Worst Bicycle-Friendly States" List

Join Bike Pittsburgh on Tuesday, May 5, on a ride to the Capitol for a rally to support cycling in Pennsylvania. We will be meeting in the morning for a ride to the steps of the Capitol for a Rally to kick off Bike Month in Pennsylvania. We'll then talk to our Legislators to encourage them to support an important "safe-passing" bill. These laws, in effect in many states across the country, are one of the primary reasons that the League of American Bicyclists ranks our state so low.

New American Lung Association Report Finds 60 Percent of Americans Live In Areas Where Air is Dirty Enough to Endanger Lives

Number one U.S. city most polluted by short-term particle pollution (24 Hour PM2.5): Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.

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

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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 in 2009 from:

Bayer Corporation
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
FedEx Ground
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation
University of Pittsburgh


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