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Events

Register now for Water Matters! Global Water Conference

Boil water order for 2 million in Boston.
Oil tainted Gulf threatens a way of life.
13 inches of rain cripples Nashville.
Marcellus looming.
River recreation season approaching with no swim flag sure to fly.

Water Matters? You bet Water Matters! Educate yourself.

Water Matters! Global Water Conference
Thursday, June 3
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh
For sponsorship opportunities, email cgould@sustainablepittsburgh.org.
To be an exhibitor, email sue@mcmahon-cardillo.com.

The Water Matters! Global Water Conference is a Pittsburgh World Environment Day key event serving to raise awareness of the importance of water and its interconnectedness with biodiversity. This conference will be a milestone for our region in establishing water as imperative to prosperity--life, health, recreation, industry, competitiveness.

Partial list of presenters:
- David Ainsworth, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
- Peter Annin, Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources
- Herb Buxton, US Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
- Marla Cone, Environmental Health News
- Don Correll, American Water
- John Cronin, The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries
- Marc Edwards, Virginia Tech
- Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post
- Amy Fraenkel, UNEP Regional Office for North America
- Kathryn Jackson, Westinghouse
- Greg Koch, Global Water Stewardship Program, The Coca-Cola Company
- Mike Magee, healthy-waters.org
- Rich Meeusen, Badger Meter Co. and Milwaukee 7 Water Council
- James Rogers, Duke Energy
- Carl Safina, PhD, Blue Ocean Institute
- Peggy Shepard, WE ACT for Environmental Justice

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

More information and registration is found at the Conference Web site.

Resources

Get Ready for the Ten Day Weekend!

9th Annual Great Outdoors Week
May 14 - 23, 2010
Various times and locations throughout southwestern PA
Visit www.wallsarebad.com for more information.

A celebration of the outdoors, the 9th annual Great Outdoors Week highlights the many outdoor amenities available in Southwestern Pennsylvania — rivers, greenways, parks, trails, and much more. During this special week, numerous activities are available for the sampling, including cycling, hiking, paddling, and bird watching-—all hosted by local outdoor groups in the region. Four signature events are included as well: Learn to Row and Paddle (5/14), Pedal Pittsburgh (5/16), National Bike to Work Day (5/21) and the Venture Outdoors Festival (5/22).

New this year is the recognition of Great Outdoors Week as part of the official World Environment Day (WED) - Pittsburgh celebration. Individuals and groups are encouraged to take an active part in Great Outdoors Week this year by hosting or participating in an event, and helping to promote this ten-day celebration. Flyers are available for distribution.

Actions for Businesses: Learn How to Measure Your Energy Savings!

EPA Portfolio Manager Training Session
Thursday, May 20
Two Sessions: Session 1: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm; Session 2: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Point Park University
Free to businesses but RSVP required; space is limited.
Contact: Jake Baechle, BCC Coordinator at (412) 258-6652 or jbaechle@sustainablepittsburgh.org
More information

Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn all the details on how to start tracking your business’ energy usage to measure your progress in saving energy. This training will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed for an upcoming regional competition to reduce energy usage. The training involves learning how to use Portfolio Manager, free software the US EPA offers to businesses so they can securely and privately track their energy usage over time. Portfolio Manager also gives businesses the means to confidentially compare the energy efficiency of their operations with other comparable buildings across the country.

Southwestern Pennsylvania businesses are invited to come participate in one of these training sessions. Cadmus, the EPA’s Contractor, will assist attendees with using and understanding the many functions of Portfolio Manager. Computers will be available for use on-site. When the session is complete each company will walk away with a better understanding of their energy usage and the ability to continue tracking energy usage and reductions.

Improving energy performance in business operations and commercial buildings is a sound business strategy. Organizations that improve energy management:
• reduce expenses,
• improve tenant satisfaction,
• increase the asset value of their portfolios and,
• demonstrate their commitment to regional sustainability. Presented by: The Business Climate Coalition (BCC) and Champions for Sustainability, a program of Sustainable Pittsburgh

Regional Forum - "In the Public Interest? An Assessment of the Geographical Distribution of Pennsylvania Business Subsidies"

Monday, June 14
10:00 am - Noon, followed by luncheon strategy session 12:00 - 1:00 pm
31st Floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh
No fee to attend. Seating is limited.
RSVP to: lbutler@sustainablepittsburgh.org
Specify if you will attend (A) Forum or (B) Forum and lunch strategy session
Presented by: Keystone Research Center and Sustainable Pittsburgh

In these difficult economic times each dollar the state spends on economic development needs to be invested wisely. There's not enough to go around. The hard choices necessary call for smart strategies and sharp targeting of state money.

Do we have confidence that taxpayer funds for economic development are invested where we will get the most impact?
Or are state investments merely displacing private dollars that would have gone to those projects?
Are we using business subsidies to jump start smart growth and sustainable development?
What are the stakes for emerging regional approaches to boost older communities and target corridors?
What lessons have we learned from our decades of economic development experience that will be a guide for our next Governor?

Steve Herzenberg, economist and Executive Director of Keystone Research Center (KRC) will share insights about KRC's latest work to demystify patterns in geographical distribution of state spending for economic development - with a focus on the Pittsburgh region. Be part of the dialogue and agenda setting for steering investments in step with our region's emerging planning and programming for sustainable development.

A panel of regional professionals will be moderated by Jerry Paytas, GSP Consulting.

This community forum will be climate neutral thru purchase of carbon offsets via www.nativeenergy.com/sp

REGISTER NOW!
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
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh
For sponsorship opportunities, email cgould@sustainablepittsburgh.org.
To be an exhibitor, email sue@mcmahon-cardillo.com.
Registration is now open. For more details visit the Conference Web site.

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.

This conference will be a milestone for our region in establishing water as imperative to prosperity--life, health, recreation, industry, competitiveness. Water Matters! will galvanize the region to address water challenges and opportunities and be a leader in providing sustainable water solutions for the world.

Open to the public and intended for all audiences. Conference will conclude with a networking reception and exhibition providing hands-on activities and displays.

Come be part of a remarkable, eye-opening exploration of the ways Water Matters!

Partial list of presenters:
- David Ainsworth, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
- Peter Annin, Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources
- Herb Buxton, US Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
- Marla Cone, Environmental Health News
- Don Correll, American Water
- John Cronin, The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries - Marc Edwards, Virginia Tech
- Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post
- Amy Fraenkel, UNEP Regional Office for North America
- Kathryn Jackson, Westinghouse
- Greg Koch, Global Water Stewardship Program, The Coca-Cola Company
- Mike Magee, healthy-waters.org
- Rich Meeusen, Badger Meter Co. and Milwaukee 7 Water Council
- James Rogers, Duke Energy
- Carl Safina, PhD, Blue Ocean Institute
- Peggy Shepard, WE ACT for Environmental Justice

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

SIGN UP NOW! Paddle at the Point: Kayak and Canoe World Record Attempt

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

Saturday, June 5
Email worldrecord@ventureoutdoors.org or visit www.paddleatthepoint.com for more information and updates.

Bring your boat down to Pittsburgh’s North Shore on Saturday, June 5th and help break the World Record for largest flotilla of kayaks and canoes. Venture Outdoors is organizing this event in celebration of World Environment Day on June 5th. Groups, individuals and clubs welcome! The record is currently held by the Inlet Area Businesses Association in upstate New York and it will take 1,105 kayaks and canoes for Pittsburgh to set the new world record.

This weekend: WQED Programming "Building on our strengths, future focus, Pittsburgh's Communities"

Sunday, May 9
"Chicago: City of Big Shoulders" - 3:00 pm
"Philadelphia: The Holy Experiment" - 4:00 pm
"Seattle: The Future is Now" - 5:00 pm
Los Angeles: Dream a Different City" - 6:00 pm

Sunday, May 23 - 3:00 pm
"Liquid Assets," a 90 minute documentary, tells the story of essential infrastructure systems: water, wastewater, and stormwater. These systems—some in the ground for more than 100 years—provide a critical public health function and are essential for economic development and growth.

This month on WQED-TV, the focus is Pittsburgh, the region and other American cities--the assets, the challenges and the stories of how people and places are coming together to revive urban America.

In partnership with the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Connect Congress of Neighboring Communities, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG), Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development (PPND), Good Schools Pennsylvania and other community-based organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania, WQED is also convening a series of civic engagement meetings starting this month which will bring together the men and women from these organizations and other grassroots movements to focus on the urban core, first line suburbs and how the power of collaboration can make all things possible.

Go to wqed.org for more details on how you can participate in these community dialogues. Then check out the urban-themed programming and be inspired!

Feeding the Earth: Pivotal Frontiers of Composting

The 1 Session Class:
Wednesday, May 12
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
CCI Center (64 South 14th Street), South Side, Pittsburgh

The 2 Session Class:
Two Mondays, June 7 and 14
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Phipps Garden Center Auditorium (1059 Shady Avenue), Shadyside, Pittsburgh
Register

Over the past decade, backyard composting has become increasingly popular, and growing numbers of restaurants, cafeterias & supermarkets have begun to divert their organic waste to composting facilities. In this slide-show-based lecture-and-discussion, Nick Shorr argues that these movements offer a shift in our relations to Nature of historic proportions.

Class includes a brief review of the basic ecology of compost and its remarkable benefits and a history of how humans dealt with waste over the past millennia, ending around 1850. By this time the best farming on every continent was built on careful recycling of organic matter. Circumstances that led farmers away from these fundamental insights are then covered; and the ongoing costs of this disconnection.

The remainder of the presentation addresses the present and its possibilities for the future, with a focus on Southwest Pennsylvania. For consideration are some recent developments that compete for organic waste, and strategies that would maximize the environmental and social benefits of this resource frontier.

Each class is full of wonderful images, interesting and important facts and ideas, and ends with ample time for discussion. Registration includes resource hand-outs for further thought, refreshments and light snacks.

Nick Shorr is Program Manager of Regional Composting Initiatives at PRC. PhD in Agricultural Anthropology from Indiana U; fieldwork in Amazonia; has managed farmers’ markets; worked on composting facilities; on community gardens and farms in five states; taught the history & ecology of global agriculture at seven universities.

Canoeing in the Canadian Tundra, with Bill O’Driscoll and Using Fire as a Habitat-Restoration Tool in Ohio’s Forests, with Matt Peters

Allegheny Group Sierra Club Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 12
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
NOTE NEW LOCATION: SIERRA CLUB OFFICE, 425 N.CRAIG ST., OAKLAND
CALL 412-802-6161 if you’re having trouble getting in or finding the office
Contact Donald L. Gibbon at (412) 362-8451 or dongibbon@earthlink.net with questions.

The Allegheny Group Sierra Club is featuring two speakers at its meeting this month. The first speaker, Bill O’Driscoll, Arts and Entertainment editor for Pittsburgh’s City Paper, is also a veteran environmentalist and outdoorsman. According to Bill, “The Barrens are a low-elevation triangle of half a million square miles between Hudson Bay and the Arctic Ocean. Our 11-day guided trip was to their center — the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary — a roadless patch half the size of Pennsylvania.” Bill will share stories of his remarkable journey and the diversity of wildlife seen there.

The latter half of the meeting will focus on Matt Peters’ response to the Nature Conservancy presentation in March on the use of fire in the eastern forests. Matt experienced an out-of-control prescribed burn in Ohio that consumed an unexpected 3000 acres. Matt, an active member of Allegheny Defense Project, has some interesting thoughts on this controversial subject. Of note, a recent successful burn was held by the Game Commission in the Scotia Barrens, near State College. Refreshments and conversation after the program.

Solidarity Action for Gulf Coast
“Clean It Up: Our Gulf Coast, Our Energy”

Wednesday, May 12
Noon
North Shore, riverside waterfall next to the Korean War Memorial by PNC Park
100 N. Shore Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
For more information contact Sierra Club at (412) 802-6161 or randy.francisco@sierraclub.org

As the Gulf Coast oil catastrophe quickly grows into one of the largest environmental disasters in United States history, please join concerned citizens to show support for Gulf Coast residents who are facing widespread destruction of marine life, beaches, and wetlands, and the loss of vital fishing and tourism industries as a result of the oil disaster. The Sierra Club and its partners will stage a mock oil slick on Pittsburgh's river shore to protest BP’s reckless behavior and call for an end to risky offshore drilling and other dirty energy.

Before You Flip That Switch: The Hidden Costs of Energy

Thursday, May 13
6:00 pm
Imagine Environmental Charter School, 829 Milton Street, Regent Square
Suggested Donation: $10 ($5 for students)
RSVP to bryan@gasp-pgh.org by Friday, May 7
Flyer

Join Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) for a lecture and discussion led by Dr. Jared Cohon, President of Carnegie Mellon University and chair of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Health, Environmental, and Other External Costs and benefits of Energy Production and Consumption.

Safely dispose of unwanted medications

Pharmaceutical Collection
Saturday, May 15
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hampton Township Community Center, Allegheny County (3101 McCully Rd., Allison Park)
Cost: $3/person - CASH ONLY
Pre-Registration REQUIRED
Flyer
Event registration

The Household Hazardous Waste Task Force is hosting an opportunity for Pennsylvania residents to safely dispose of unwanted or expired pharmaceutical products including both controlled and non-controlled substances. A professional contractor, law enforcement officials, and licensed pharmacists will be on site to ensure all material collected is handled in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.

Please note, the Task Force will NOT accept the following: durable medical goods, health and beauty aids, home care supplies, home health equipment, household hazardous waste (paint, aerosol cans, etc.), illegal substances and paraphernalia, infectious waste, institutional waste, medical devices and equipment, medical sharps (needles, lancets), mercury thermometers, personal care items, radioactive materials.

Chill the Drills: Oil Development and Climate Change in America's Arctic

Thursday, May 20
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, First Floor Gallery, 420 Blvd. of the Allies, Downtown Pittsburgh
Free to attend; RSVP requested.
To RSVP or with questions, contact alleghenyesa@gmail.com
Website: www.alleghenysc.org
Flyer

“The Arctic region is the single most endangered ecosystem on the planet.” So says, Kit McGurn, the Sierra Club’s national expert on the Alaskan Wilderness. No one knows more about the impact of unrestricted development on this environment. Come be a part of a multi-media presentation as Kit describes the growing threat of climate change and oil development to Alaska’s most pristine habitats. Join other environmentally conscious citizens and find out what you can do to help.

Diversity Conference

May 20-21, 2010
Holiday Inn Monroeville, 2750 Mosside Boulevard, Monroeville 15146
Contact: Jennie Thye at 412-471-8722 ext. 214 or jthye@3riversadopt.org

Plan to join Three Rivers Adoption Council and Family Design Resources for a compelling two-day conference exploring diversity issues impacting services to children & families. May 20th features keynote speaker Dr. Sharon E. Moore, Professor of Social Work, University of Louisville. Dr. Moore will address: “Racial and Ethnic Identity Development in Youth." May 21st will feature a panel of distinguished professionals from the child welfare, juvenile justice, education, medical and mental health fields who will address the critical nature of diversity and inclusion in the practice of serving children and families.

This event is geared towards professionals from the child welfare, juvenile justice, education, medical and mental health fields and for resource families. CE, CLE credits will be available. Act 48 approval is pending. Resource Family re-certification hours available.

Rain Garden, Bioswale & Infiltration Garden Design

Tuesday, May 25
7:30 am - Noon
Connelley Learning Center, 1501 Bedford Ave, 15219, Uptown
Cost: $75
To register, please contact Mary Ann at (412) 263-1000 or by email at mvf10@psu.edu
Registration deadline: May 20
More information

This is the first in a series of moderate to advanced training intended for engineers and landscape architects with prior knowledge on the topic. The workshop will focus on:
- Design, construction and maintenance - soils, plants, construction, maintenance and long term management considerations
- Exercises and case studies
- Local policies and future rulemaking

Presenters:
Dr. Robert Berghage
Associate Professor of Horticulture at Penn State

Dr. Rick Stehouwer
Associate Professor of Environmental Soil Science at Penn State

Janie French
Director of Green Infrastructure Programs, SW PA
PA Environmental Council

“Neighborhoods Weathering the Storm Together”

Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group annual meeting and awards ceremony
Wednesday, May 26
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
August Wilson Center for African American Culture, 980 Liberty Ave, downtown Pittsburgh
Cost: $35 for non-members; $25 for PCRG members and partners
Note: PCRG member organizations each receive 4 free tickets
Please RSVP by May 19th to: Emily J. Anderson, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (412) 391-6732 x207 or eanderson@pcrg.org

“Neighborhoods Weathering the Storm Together” celebrates the accomplishments of PCRG member organizations and serves as a thank you to partners for their continued commitment to neighborhood stabilization, reinvestment, and revitalization. John Taylor, President and CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, will be the keynote speaker for the evening. Mr. Taylor is a Presidential Appointee to the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and has testified numerous times before Congress. For more information on John Taylor, click here.

Awards will be given to community organizations who are working on innovative projects to improve Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. A volunteer who has shown continued commitment to his or her community will be honored with the Neighborhood Leader Award in memory of late Mayor Bob O’Connor.

Building Community Connections

A film screening and community/civic engagement dialogue and program about revitalizing core communities
Thursday, May 27
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
WQED Studios, 4802 Fifth Ave, Oakland
RSVP by May 25th to WQED at (412) 622-1514
Seating is limited; light dinner will be provided

The evening includes a short film screening of The New Metropolis, a two-part documentary film series by award-winning producer, Andrea Torrice, about the challenges faced by America’s first suburbs: a dwindling tax base, population decline, business loss, decaying infrastructure and racial tensions. Then join in a facilitated discussion on:
• how the issues raised in the film reflect the Pittsburgh region
• steps to take to address them
• potential for regional cooperation
• how to create a common agenda that extends across Pittsburgh’s communities.

This event is part of a national civic engagement dialogue series on revitalizing older communities, made possible in Pittsburgh through the generosity of the Surdna Foundation and The Pittsburgh Foundation. It is also part of a month of special urban-focused programming on WQED-TV. Go to wqed.org for more information on programs and other events and how you can participate.

Presented by: WQED, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, CONNECT, Congress of Neighboring Communities, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG), Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development(PPND), Sustainable Pittsburgh, Good Schools PA, The Center for Deliberative Democracy, Coro Center for Civic Leadership and Torrice Productions.

Rachel Carson Celebration of Biodiversity with E.O. Wilson

Thursday, May 27
1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Oakland
Contact: Fiona Fisher at (724) 274- 5459 or fiona@rachelcarsonhomestead.org
Register

As part of the United Nations World Environment Day celebration in North America, the Rachel Carson Celebration of Biodiversity Symposium will focus on the human impact on biodiversity. Featuring E.O. Wilson as keynote speaker and including a panel of experts, people can begin with an initial visioning for a New American Dream that is environmentally sustainable, developed by participants in this event--a roadmap that will address the effect people have on the environment, and the critical inter-relationships between human habitat and the quality of life for generations to come.

There will be a special reception after the symposium at which E.O. Wilson will be presented with the Rachel Carson Legacy Award, which recognizes and honors people who have made significant impact on the application of Rachel Carson's principles to modern public policy issues that interface the environment. Wilson is a two-time Pulitzer prize winner, world-renowned entomologist and one of the scientists who provided research data to Rachel Carson while she was writing Silent Spring.

Resources

New video series promotes an American Makeover

Forget plastic surgery and homes, terrific new web series promotes an "American Makeover."

The makers of a viral sensation from last year are back with a new video series begging the question: "With ugly sprawl everywhere you look in America, it's time for a national makeover," they ask. "So what's the alternative?"

American Makeover is a new web-exclusive series that explores those alternatives in communities across America, looking at what can be done to help our communities grow in ways that give us the kind of neighborhoods and choices we're increasingly looking for. The first episode "sounds the alarm bell on Atlanta's sprawl," but the filmmakers spend most of the short episode taking a closer look at the positive alternatives in Atlanta -- focusing on those growing millions of people who are looking for places to live that are walkable and connected and don't entail hour-long car commutes to work, school, or the local market.

No Fooling Mother Nature

There is only one meaningful response to the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and that is for America to stop messing around when it comes to designing its energy and environmental future. The only meaningful response to this man-made disaster is a man-made energy bill that would finally put in place an American clean-energy infrastructure that would set our country on a real, long-term path to ending our addiction to oil. That is so obviously the right thing for our environment, the right thing for our national security, the right thing for our economic security and the right thing to promote innovation. But it means that we have to stop messing around with idiotic “drill, baby, drill” nostrums, feel-good Earth Day concerts and the paralyzing notion that the American people are not prepared to do anything serious to change our energy mix.

More

New EPA water infrastructure policy seeks to encourage smart growth

If you build it, they will come. And, if you don't, they won't. Such is the thinking behind a policy released late last month by the Environmental Protection Agency that instructs states to adopt smart-growth principles in allocating the $3.3 billion in water infrastructure funding that the federal government doles out each year. States, it asserts, should prioritize projects that upgrade the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in cities over projects intended to serve new developments on the suburban fringe.

Go Green. Save Water. Win Prizes!

With Pittsburgh hosting World Environment Day this year, you can join in the celebration – and you don’t have to leave home to do it.

Take part in the regional Water Savers Competition, and save money, save energy, save water – and sign up to win some really great prizes. Log on at gogreensavewater.com. There you’ll find easy, money-saving actions you can take to save water and energy. Register online – and register your community group, neighborhood, school, or organization to win one of the great prizes in the Water Savers Competition. The groups that save the most water by June 4, 2010 will win the contest, and be featured at an awards ceremony on June 5 at the Carnegie Science Center.

The Water Savers Competition is part of The Black and Gold City Goes Green Campaign (www.theblackandgoldcitygoesgreen.com). The goal of the campaign is to work together to reduce heat-trapping gases that cause global warming, making a significant measurable decrease in pollution. Each month, the Campaign details a new set of actions (green, greener, greenest), which anyone can do at little or no cost. The Black and Gold City Goes Green Campaign is coordinated by Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture).

Farmers Could Play Major Role in Reducing Lake Erie Pollution

What's good for crops is often bad for water quality. Fertilizer washing into the Lake Erie watershed may be to blame for a persistent dead zone--an area where the water's void of oxygen, and can't sustain life. The Allegheny Front's Karen Schaefer finds that changes in agricultural economics may have stymied years of federal and state efforts to keep phosphorous out of Lake Erie, and other freshwater systems.

President's Cancer Panel: Environmentally caused cancers are 'grossly underestimated' and 'needlessly devastate American lives.'

"The true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated," says the President's Cancer Panel in a strongly reported report that urges action to reduce people's widespread exposure to carcinogens. The panel today advised President Obama "to use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase health care costs, cripple our nation's productivity, and devastate American lives."

Note from Sustainable Pittsburgh: The author of this article, Marla Cone, is a speaker at the Water Matters! Global Water Conference.

U.S. exempted BP's Gulf of Mexico drilling from environmental impact study

The Interior Department exempted BP's calamitous Gulf of Mexico drilling operation from a detailed environmental impact analysis last year, according to government documents, after three reviews of the area concluded that a massive oil spill was unlikely. Now, environmentalists and some key senators are calling for a reassessment of safety requirements for offshore drilling. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), who has supported offshore oil drilling in the past, said, "I suspect you're going to see an entirely different regime once people have a chance to sit back and take a look at how do we anticipate and clean up these potential environmental consequences" from drilling.

GE’s Leader Issues An Energy Warning

While the rest of the world invests in renewable, nuclear and cleaner energy sources, the U.S. continues to fall further behind, General Electric's chairman and CEO said Wednesday in Houston. In an interview before the company's annual meeting, Jeffrey Immelt said the situation eventually could put the nation at a competitive disadvantage. “We just seem to be stalled,” he said. Over the next five years, China will have installed five times more than the U.S. in power capacity, Europe is moving aggressively into offshore wind power, and Asia is focusing on solar energy, he said. Only two of about 50 nuclear plants under construction globally are in the U.S., he said. “It's just not enough.” Immelt called for a comprehensive government effort to put standards into place so businesses can invest in technologies that have a solid future. “Some leadership in Washington would be helpful,” he said, emphasizing that he's not focused on any one technology. If the United States doesn't do it, GE will have to go overseas. “We have to go where the action is,” he said. GE recently announced it would invest about $200??million in European offshore wind projects, especially in the United Kingdom and Norway. The investment will create about 2,000 jobs. Putting energy policy into place should be driven by energy competitiveness and job creation, he said, rather than tying it so closely to climate change and environmental issues. “We've all done a disservice to the debate by hanging it as a ‘green initiative' when really it's about energy security, energy productivity and pollution reduction,” Immelt said.

Wind power gains steam in Pennsylvania

Wind power came on strong in Pennsylvania in 2009, with the electricity generated by windmills more than doubling, the American Wind Energy Association said Thursday. Windmills now stand atop hills in nine counties across Pennsylvania, including Fayette, Somerset, Cambria and Blair. The first windmill in Southwest Pennsylvania began generating power in 2000. Five years ago, the region had four wind farms with a generating capacity of 64.5 megawatts. Last year, more than 387 megawatts of wind power capacity was built in the state, with five new wind farms coming online, according to the association. That increased the state's wind capacity to 748 megawatts. One megawatt of wind power generates enough electricity to power about 300 homes. "The wind industry knows Pennsylvania wants wind, that we will work with the industry, because we want the jobs, and we want the clean energy," said John Hanger, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection. Hanger said Pennsylvania's public policy shows the state is friendly toward wind farms and equipment makers.

Opportunity to host a service-learning project, be a guest speaker/workshop presenter. DEADLINE: MAY 14

Pittsburgh Cares is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a Learn and Serve America Summer of Service Grant. The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded 17 grants throughout the United States giving $2 million in funding to engage middle school aged youth (grades 6-9) in environmentally focused service this summer.

The program that the Learn and Serve America Summer of Service Grant is funding is called e-Serve, a FREE 9 week long leadership development and environmental service summer camp for middle school students attending Pittsburgh Westwood, Pittsburgh Stevens and Schaeffer Intermediate.

A requirement of the grant is that Pittsburgh Cares engages 100 youth in 100 hours (each) of service. Every Tuesday and Thursday from June 22 through August 19th, e-Serve participants will engage in exciting, educational, environmental service-learning projects.

In order to make this program a success, Pittsburgh Cares invites you to participate in e-Serve by either hosting a service-learning project(s), being a guest speaker/workshop presenter, or both.

Please contact Meg Schreck, e-Serve Program Manager at Pittsburgh Cares for COMPLETE information at (412) 720-9397 or mschreck@pittsburghcares.org

Nationwide reports identify transportation policy as essential to improving health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Transportation Recommendations acknowledge what we at Transportation for America have stressed for months: not only is our nation’s approach to transportation outdated and inefficient, it also takes a toll on our health and quality of life. Being stuck in traffic and living in places with no chance to safely walk or bike is having a negative impact on our health, and the CDC points out that many Americans yearn for greater physical activity and choices for how they get around. The CDC sees this link between health and transportation as both a challenge and an opportunity.

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
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