3E Links readers are early adopters of sustainable policies, products, and practices, and agents of change who educate friends and colleagues about the triple bottom line. Please share your issue of 3E Links with others and encourage them to subscribe by e-mailing info@sustainablepittsburgh.org.

Events

REGISTER NOW!

Business Leadership in Managing Energy Usage

Presented by: Champions for Sustainability (C4S), a program of Sustainable Pittsburgh, the Business Climate Coalition, and the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative

Tuesday, December 7
8:30 am – 11:30 am
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Place, Oakland 15213
Cost: $25 for C4S/Sustainable Pittsburgh Members; $35 Nonmembers; Students: Special Rate
Breakfast provided

This event, designed to inspire businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania, features leading firms that are being proactive in managing how they use energy. Participants will have a chance to interact with a range of internationally-recognized businesses that have demonstrated cost savings and innovative practices in energy measurement and savings. After the interactive panel discussion, participants will gain resources and make connections to enable them to track their energy profiles and cost savings.

Attend this event and learn how to gain a competitive edge through energy efficiency. Everyone is invited to intend. Those who stand to particularly benefit include sustainability professionals; facilities and operations managers/directors; corporate management; partners of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative, and members of the region’s business and nonprofit leadership.

Panelists include:

- Apple White, Environmental Sustainability
BNY Mellon
- Tom Dingo, Director
Bayer Business and Technology Services
Bayer Corporation
- Renee Cowell, Regional Environmental Manager
Del Monte Foods
- TBA
Coca Cola
- TBA
Deloitte
- TBA
Evolve Architecture

Click here for more information.

Resources

On the Road: Sustainable Roads Maintenance, Operations & Technologies

A program of the Sustainable Development Academy
In partnership with the Local Government Academy and Sustainable Pittsburgh in cooperation with the Washington County Commissioners and the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington
Wednesday, December 1
9:00 am - Noon
Alpine Room at Alpine Club Lanes, 735 Jefferson Avenue, Washington 15301
Cost: $10. Representatives from Washington County municipalities can attend for free.
More information

Sustainability is an important quality of today’s public works departments. Everything your public works’ directors, foremen and building maintenance personnel do should be done with practices that conserve resources, comply with state and federal regulations, and protect the quality of life in your community. Implementing and enforcing sustainable practices will save your local government money on materials and equipment. You can’t afford to not be sustainable.

Instructors for this program will provide participants with the most up-to-date information on sustainable practices that can be easily implemented in your public works department. Consideration will also be given to state and federal mandates that currently or will soon affect fleet management, street maintenance and other public works functions.

Other topics that will be covered include:
• Fleet Management Practices, including fuel efficiency, emissions regulations and more ways to green your fleet
• Street & Road Operations, such as alternatives for street lights and coordination of traffic signals as a way to save energy

Speakers Include:
• Next Generation Oil
• Fossil Free Fuels
• G.A. Wozniak & Associates
• City of Pittsburgh, Lindsay Baxter

More speakers to be added.

Both the private and public sectors have a responsibility to the communities they serve to ensure that public works departments are implementing sustainable practices that, over time, will save money and protect valuable resources.

REGISTER NOW: Business Leadership in Managing Energy Usage

Presented by: Champions for Sustainability (C4S), a program of Sustainable Pittsburgh, the Business Climate Coalition, and the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative
Tuesday, December 7
8:30 am – 11:30 am
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Place, Oakland 15213
Cost: $25 for C4S/Sustainable Pittsburgh Members; $35 Nonmembers; Students: Special Rate
Breakfast provided
Registration and agenda
For questions and student registration information, please contact: Jake Baechle, BCC Coordinator at (412) 258-6652 or jbaechle@sustainablepittsburgh.org

This event, designed to inspire businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania, features leading firms that are being proactive in managing how they use energy. Participants will have a chance to interact with a range of internationally-recognized businesses that have demonstrated cost savings and innovative practices in energy measurement and savings. After the interactive panel discussion, participants will gain resources and make connections to enable them to track their energy profiles and cost savings.

Businesses that track and report their energy usage:
· Demonstrate their commitment to sustainability
· Save money by saving energy
· Improve transparency
· Qualify for incentive programs
· Are enabled to set well defined goals
· Reduce legal risk due to a changing regulatory environment
· Build market share
· Take action that illustrate their commitment to best management practice

Attend this event and learn how to gain a competitive edge through energy efficiency. Everyone is invited to intend. Those who stand to particularly benefit include sustainability professionals; facilities and operations managers/directors; corporate management; partners of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative, and members of the region’s business and nonprofit leadership. Panelists include:

- Apple White, Environmental Sustainability
BNY Mellon
- Tom Dingo, Director
Bayer Business and Technology Services
Bayer Corporation
- Renee Cowell, Regional Environmental Manager
Del Monte Foods
- TBA
Coca Cola
- TBA
Deloitte
- TBA
Evolve Architecture

Energy Saving Opportunities in Municipal Buildings & Facilities

A program of the Sustainable Development Academy
In partnership with the Local Government Academy and Sustainable Pittsburgh in cooperation with the Washington County Commissioners and the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington
Wednesday, December 8
9:00 am - Noon
Alpine Room at Alpine Club Lanes, 735 Jefferson Avenue, Washington 15301
Cost: $10. Representatives from Washington County municipalities can attend for free.
More information

An energy audit is the first step in the process of improving the energy efficiency of your municipal buildings. This program will provide you with information on conducting an audit, including developing specifications and a Request for Proposals. Additionally, speakers will also discuss what to expect from the auditing process and how findings can be incorporated.

The program will also demonstrate opportunities to save money through the way power agreements can be constructed as well as funding opportunities available through the power grid supplier and utilities.

A portion of the program will also focus on funding incentives, including those provided for in Act 129, low-interest loans that are available for small businesses to help purchase energy efficient equipment.

Speakers include:
• Bridgeway Capital
• G.A. Wozniak & Associates
• Clear Choice Energy
• Premiere

Please feel free to share this program information with others in your municipality, including public works and building maintenance personnel and finance officers. Additionally, please invite your community’s library staff, as they often face the concept of how to incorporate energy savings practices in older buildings.

When Innovation Meets Sustainability: Building Better Cities

Featuring Dr. George Frederickson
Tuesday, November 30
9:00 am - 10:30 am (continental breakfast begins at 8:30 am)
University Club, Ballroom A, University of Pittsburgh, Oakland
Please RSVP by November 19 to GSPIAIC@pitt.edu or (412) 648-2282

The Innovation Clinic at GSPIA presents the Fall 2010 Wherrett Lecture on innovative local and regional governing. This lecture features Dr. George Frederickson, Director of the Metropolitan Studies Center and Professor, Public Administration, at the University of Kansas.

Dr. Frederickson, the Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration at the University of Kansas, describes himself as a generalist in the field of public administration with particular interests in public administration ethics, theories of public administration, systems of multi-level governance, and American local government.

Do More Than Give: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World

Wednesday, December 1
3:30 pm — 5:30 pm
University Club, Ballroom B, University of Pittsburgh
RSVP to: gspiapf@pitt.edu

GSPIA’s Philanthropy Forum, a project of the Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership, presents Leslie Crutchfield, Philanthropic Leader & Co-author of "Do More Than Give: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World".

Leslie Crutchfield, leading authority on scaling social innovation and high-impact philanthropy, will preview her upcoming book "Do More Than Give." She will discuss six high impact strategies that move philanthropy away from simple grant making to focused social change. She recently co-authored "Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits" recognized by the The Economist on its Best Books of the Year List.

Issues in Local Government: Community and Legislative Perspectives

Thursday, December 2
7:30 am - Noon (continental breakfast included)
August Wilson Center for African American Culture, 980 Liberty Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh
Free and open to the public; advance registration required
Register here
Invitation letter, signed by Dan Frankel, Grant Oliphant, and Fred Thieman
Draft Agenda
Questions? Contact the Institute of Politics at (412) 624-1837.

Federal, state and local governments are in the midst of an extraordinary financial crisis. Local governments in the Commonwealth will undoubtedly be forced to make difficult decisions on topics such as government reform, consolidated services, expenditure cuts, unfunded mandates, and the constant struggle to maintain revenues. This second forum in a series is designed to facilitate thoughtful and comprehensive discussion of local government challenges and possible methods of confronting them. The program will begin with an overview of findings produced by the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics' Fiscal Policy and Governance Committee's report, "Key Challenges for Local Government," as well as a presentation of the civic engagement work being done through The Pittsburgh Foundation's Allegheny Forum website. State and local elected officials will have the opportunity to comment on the observations and suggestions of both reports.

The following State officials have confirmed that they will be participating: State Senator Dominic Pileggi, State Senator Jay Costa, State Representative Frank Dermody, and State Representative Mike Turzai. Local officials who have confirmed are Beaver County Commissioner Charlie Camp, Perry Township Supervisor A.J. Boni, and Mr. Lebanon Commissioner D. Raja.

PreservePGH Community Meetings

Monday, December 6
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
South Side Market House, 1 Bedford Sq (South 12th St @ Bingham St) South Side Flats, 15203

Tuesday, December 7
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
New Hazlett Theatre, 5 Allegheny Square East, Allegheny Center, North Side

Monday, December 13
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Bakery Square, 6425 Penn Ave, Larimer/Shadyside
(If driving, please park in Bakery Square garage)

Learn more online at www.planpgh.com
Follow PLANPGH on Facebook & Twitter

The public will have three opportunities to voice opinion about the City of Pittsburgh’s strategy to protect and preserve its historic and cultural resources over the next 25 years. On December 6, 7, and 13, the Department of City Planning will conduct public meetings to present its draft recommendations for the PreservePGH component of PlanPGH. PlanPGH is Pittsburgh’s first ever comprehensive plan. The goal of the PreservePGH component is to develop policies and strategies for the protection and preservation of Pittsburgh’s historic and cultural assets.

Please plan to attend one of the three meetings and let your voice be heard.

Meeting to discuss Lewis and Clark National Heritage Trail Extension East of the Mississippi

Meeting with the National Park Service Special Resources Study Team
Monday, December 6
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Elizabeth Senior Citizen’s Center, 206 3rd St. (Corner of 3rd and Plum St.), Elizabeth 15037 More information on National Park Service Project
Please visit http://tiny.cc/cto2q to answer the public survey questions online. (Answers may be submitted online or at the meeting.)
Flyer

The National Park Service has been directed by Congress to conduct a special resource study to assess the suitability and feasibility of adding the Eastern Legacy sites associated with the preparation and return phases of the Lewis and Clark expedition to the existing Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The existing Trail extends west from Wood River, Illinois for approximately 3,700 miles to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The study area for the Eastern Legacy extends from Wood River, Illinois along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and will include additional sites and overland routes followed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, whether independently or together, prior to and following the 1804-1806 expedition.

The Study Team has selected the LCHNT Monongahela River Chapter over larger demographics to hold an investigational meeting, on December 6, 2010, to gather public opinion. This is a tremendous opportunity for the region; it is very important that each member of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation and their friends provide comments concerning this great opportunity to have the trail extend to Pittsburgh. The Extension East will be beneficial to the entire Nation as well as a particular boon to southwestern Pennsylvania.

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC Fall 2010 Speaker Series:
Tony Norman, Columnist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wednesday, December 8
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
School of Social Work Conference Center, 2017 Cathedral of Learning, 20th Floor, University of Pittsburgh
Lunch will be provided; registration is not required.
412-624-7382 / www.crsp.pitt.edu

Join the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Center on Race and Social Problems at this Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC Fall 2010 Speaker Series.

Tony Norman joined the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's city desk in November 1988. Quickly learning the lay of the land at the Post-Gazette, Norman identified niche beats he could make his own and perhaps make a name for himself. Norman was named the Post-Gazette's pop music/pop culture critic in 1990. Early on, Norman began winning local awards for his cultural reporting. He's been a much sought after commentator on cultural issues and a frequent guest on local talk shows and television programs. He was given responsibility for a general interest column in July, 1996. Since then, Norman's column has garnered many national, state and local awards. In 1999, Norman's column won first place in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, Keystone, Golden Quill and Pittsburgh Black Media Federation competitions. He also won a second place National Excellence in feature writing award for columns from the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors and a Matrix Award from Women in Communication. In July, 1999, Norman joined the Post-Gazette's editorial board, proving that everyone rises to the level of their incompetence sooner or later. Norman is a regular commentator for KD/PG Sunday Edition, weighing in on important local and national issues at least twice a month. He's an adjunct journalism teacher at Chatham University where he also serves as an adviser to the staff of the Communique, the school paper.

GBA's 2010: State of the Union
“A year-in-review of GBA, USGBC, and the green building market”

Wednesday, December 8
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Duquesne Power Center Ballroom, 600 Forbes Avenue, 15282
Cost: $45 GBA Member | $75 Non-member
Register: www.go-gba.org/events or contact Karenp@gbapgh.org

Join the Green Building Alliance as the group conducts a year-in-review, including updates regarding its organization, the US Green Building Council, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the GBCI Credential Maintenance Program (CMP), and the 2011 green building forecast in Western PA. The featured guest is Gregg Perelman, CEO of Walnut Capital and developer of the new LEED Platinum Bakery Square!

Walnut Capital is one of Pittsburgh's largest and fastest growing real estate management, development and brokerage companies. Mr. Perelman will discuss his forays into green and sustainable development, sharing great insight into the regionally acclaimed Bakery Square development.

Who should attend:
Professionals in building design, construction, & operations. Owners/developers, government officials & staff, professionals working in products, consultants, & interested citizens.

Distinguished Guests:
Gregg Perelman – Walnut Capital, Principal & CEO
Catherine Sheane – Astorino, Sustainable Design Manager

Pennsylvania Water Trails Technical Assistance Workshop

Tuesday, December 14
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
PA Fish & Boat Commission Headquarters, Harrisburg
To register or for more information contact Hannah Hardy at the PA Environmental Council: (412) 481-9400 or hhardy@pecpa.org

Are you working to develop boat access in your community? The Pennsylvania Water Trails Program is pleased to offer this technical assistance workshop. The workshop includes presentations about the statewide strategy for fishing and boating access, funding programs, assistance with design and engineering, and permitting requirements. Please bring your information about projects that you are working on and your questions. There is no fee for this workshop, but registration is required. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Register with the PA Environmental Council by December 1, 2010 in order to reserve a space.

Presentations Include:
- Pennsylvania’s Fishing & Boating Access Strategy
- Developing Boat Access—Big & Small
- All Things Permitting

Panelists:
- National Park Service—Chesapeake Bay Gateways & Watertrails Network
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council
- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Local Project Managers

Resources

Keep Pittsburgh Moving - Visit this website and take action!

Keep Pittsburgh Moving is a campaign to raise awareness of Pennsylvania's transportation funding crisis, with the ultimate result being to stimulate legislative action in Harrisburg and resolve the Pennsylvania transportation crisis.

The website, keepPGHmoving.com, enables visitors to create tailored messages or choose from prepared messages, and send them to their legislators, as well as share them via Facebook and Twitter. The gallery of messages that can be sent to state legislators reflects the broad repercussions of the transportation crisis. Among the messages are, “Let’s Not Become One Big Traffic Jam,” “The City Will Lose Downtown Jobs,” and “Let's Not Add More Commute Time.”

Help make a difference by sending a message to your newly elected state legislator! They must act immediately to fix the transportation budget deficit. It's important for members of the legislature to work together on a bipartisan basis to identify new revenue sources.

Transit benefits will soon be cut in half — Help us stop it

Sign this petition from our friends at Commuter Nation urging Congress to restore the transit benefit and make it equal to the parking benefit. They’ll deliver all the signatures December 1 – so pass it on quickly!

Come January, if you spend more than $120 a month on your commute in a vanpool, train or bus, the federal government will be sending a message loud and clear: they’d like you to start driving to work, where you can get $230 for parking deducted from your paycheck tax free.

A provision in the stimulus bill increased the transit benefit from $120 to $230, finally putting it on equal footing with the $230 parking benefit and extending this great benefit to everyone, whether they drive or take transit each day. But that provision is about to expire unless Congress votes to extend it during their December session.

Transportation is the second largest household expense for many households. The millions of Americans who depend on transit to get to work each day shouldn’t have to pay more to do something that also saves us energy, reduces congestion and emissions, and uses less oil.

Networked Regions 2.0: Pittsburgh’s Sustainable Renaissance

“The way in which we focus our sustainable lives happens in regions,” said Court Gould, Executive Director for Sustainable Pittsburgh. “That makes sense because many sustainability issues can be dealt with through regional approaches. So we all know the term ‘watershed,’ but when we think on a regional basis, there are air-sheds, commuter-sheds, supply chain-sheds, education-sheds, economic-sheds and housing-sheds. And typically we have not, in American governance, focused on the region as the organizing unit for trying to get things right.”

More

This Raging Fire

Now comes a report from the Council of the Great City Schools that ought to grab the attention of anyone who cares about black youngsters, starting with those parents who have shortchanged their children on a scale so monstrous that it is difficult to fully grasp. "A Call for Change,” begins by saying that “the nation’s young black males are in a state of crisis” and describes their condition as “a national catastrophe.” It tells us that black males remain far behind their schoolmates in academic achievement and that they drop out of school at nearly twice the rate of whites. Black children — boys and girls — are three times more likely to live in single-parent households than white children and twice as likely to live in a home where no parent has full-time or year-round employment. In 2008, black males were imprisoned at a rate six-and-a-half times higher than white males. The terrible economic downturn has made it more difficult than ever to douse this raging fire that is consuming the life prospects of so many young blacks, and the growing sentiment in Washington is to do even less to help any Americans in need.

Cranberry to review impact fee program

The impact fee ordinance has generated more than $16.5 million since Cranberry began the program in the early 1990s, Mr. Andree said. . .Since then, about 30 municipalities across the state -- generally areas that are growing -- have followed Cranberry's lead and enacted the fees, including Marshall, Pine, Richland, Adams, Middlesex, Center, Murrysville, Findlay and Penn Township in Westmoreland County.

Pittsburgh, Norristown Named ‘Pathways to Green Schools’ Pilot Districts

The Pittsburgh School District is incorporating sustainable features and practices at the Northview Elementary School, built in the 1960s, and the Pittsburgh Oliver High School, built in the 1920s. Both projects anticipate employing geothermal systems to replace the existing fossil fuel heating and cooling systems. Both also anticipate roof and window replacements. Other sustainable features including demonstration rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, community gardens and demonstration photovoltaic systems are also under consideration.

Dawida heads the fight against billboard pollution

"This is not a war on billboards," said Dave Mazza, regional director of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, a citizen action environmental agency. "We just want the public to have the same representation outdoor advertisers have. We understand business is business, but it shouldn't come at the expense of people's quality of life.

Now Hiring: Green Cities Program Coordinator

Conservation Begins Here.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national force of conservation volunteers, seeks a program coordinator for our Green Cities project located at our Pittsburgh Office

Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversee the success of the Green Cities program
- Select and train program members
- Provide supervision and leadership for program members, training and development opportunities and clear direction for work related activities
- Ensure that all project outcomes, as laid out in project proposals and developed with partner agencies, are achieved to a satisfactory level
- Ensure the sustainability of current projects and lead the effort to develop new program opportunities
- Identify and pursue grant and fundraising opportunities in support of Corps programming in conjunction with the Advancement Department

Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in environmental studies, environmental science or related field.
- 2-4 years of progressively responsible experience including skills related to: supervising people, projects and budgets; leadership in environmental programming, knowledge of climate change science, sustainable economic development strategies and environmental policy preferred; and experience working with programmatic partners
- Demonstrated program management success
- Demonstrated team leadership and/or supervisory experience
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a highly mobile, fast paced team
- Strong computer skills particularly in MS Office
- Willingness to travel on a regular basis
- Current Wilderness First Responder/Aid and CPR certification or ability to acquire certification
- Valid Driver’s license and driving record within SCA guidelines
- Must pass SCA criminal background check
- Access to cell phone for business purposes required

* Health and Dental * Basic Life Insurance * Short Term Disability * Long Term Disability * Flexible Spending Account * 403(b) Savings Plan * Generous Paid Time Off * Community Service Leave * Casual Dress

Please send cover letter and resume to Lori Gaido, Program Director, lgaido@thesca.org

SCA is an EOE dedicated to workforce diversity. For more information about SCA, visit us at www.theSCA.org

This Week on the Allegheny Front: Big Oil Becoming Big Gas? Salty Well Water Raises Questions; Science of Finding Carp

This week on the Allegheny Front, a man's yearlong quest to determine if gas drilling is what turned his well water into salt water, and whether he can pursue legal action. Big name oil companies move into Marcellus gas drilling. The Nature Conservancy studies drilling and recommends changes in state permitting. The role of environmental DNA testing in the court decision on containing Asian carp. Plus more regional environmental news, and your invitation to our 12/10 Local Foods Holiday Happy Hour.

One Book, One Community 2011 | Title Announcement to Partners

The goal of One Book One Community, coordinated by the Allegheny County Library Association, is to establish common ground across the community by bringing individuals together for stimulating discussion and provoking new thinking. Unifying a community, like reading a good book, requires an understanding of the entire cast of characters, patience, and a willingness to listen to the experiences of others.

One Book has selected its new book title for 2011: 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker.

· The overarching theme for the 2011 program will be rediscovering civility and kindness in an era when they frequently appear to be forgotten. As America's Most Livable City, let’s be America’s Most Civil City marked by kindness!

· Public launch of One Book, One Community 2011 will be during Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 14-20, and the program will run through April including National Library Week and Pay It Forward Day.

· Local Secret Agent L (Laura Miller) who lives in and loves Pittsburgh is excited to be the One Book, One Community honorary kindness ambassador. The Secret Agent L Project began with a single hydrangea flower on the windshield of a car here in Pittsburgh. Her project has blossomed into an international phenomenon of anonymous acts of kindness. Learn more about Secret Agent L at secretagentl.com.

· Keynote plans include an author event, panel discussion on civility in government and essay contest for all ages.

· Online presence in the new year will include a dynamic blog, Facebook and Twitter: #ACLA1BOOK.

· Book club kits will be available for request beginning in mid-March for a 5 week borrowing period.

· Copies of the title in various formats will be distributed to libraries for general circulation.

· Learn more about 29 Gifts at 29giftsbook.com and 29gifts.org.

One Book is interested in partnership opportunities for 2011. What are key countywide partnerships for this year’s theme? Do you have a great civility or kindness related resource to share? What’s the read-a-like or watch-a-like that comes to mind? Share your creative ideas and feature your organization’s plans related to One Book as a guest blogger.

Science That Can't Be Wished Away

In a trio of reports released in May, the prestigious and nonpartisan National Academy concluded that "a strong, credible body of scientific evidence shows that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems." Our nation's most authoritative and respected scientific body couldn't make it any clearer or more conclusive. Leaders of some of our nation's most prominent businesses formed the U.S. Climate Action Partnership. General Electric, Alcoa, Duke Energy, DuPont, Dow Chemical, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler signed on. USCAP, persuaded by scientific facts, called on the president and Congress to act, saying "in our view, the climate change challenge will create more economic opportunities than risks for the U.S. economy." There is a natural aversion to more government regulation. But that should be included in the debate about how to respond to climate change, not as an excuse to deny the problem's existence.

Pension plights mount coast to coast

Pittsburgh's pension fund is still searching for a miracle cure, and Pennsylvania is making its retirement plan for state workers and teachers a hair less generous, but America's Pension Tsunami is itself plenty frightening. Pension Tsunami -- that's what Jack Dean calls his website. He's had a ringside seat in Southern California for this slow-motion disaster. Since 2004, he has been firing e-mails that gather and disseminate stories of pension crises that run pretty much coast to coast.

Allegheny County site of pilot project for new Home Energy Scoring Program

The Home Energy Score will offer homeowners straightforward, reliable information about their homes’ energy efficiency. A report provides consumers with a home energy score between 1 and 10, and shows them how their home compares to others in their region. The report also includes customized, cost-effective recommendations that will help to reduce their energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes. . . Allegheny County’s pilot project will partner with Efficiency PA to add a new aspect to the popular annual home tours in Allegheny County by showcasing energy efficiency projects using the Home Energy Score. They plan to score a minimum of 12 homes by June 2011 and will feature them as part of the Allegheny County Green Innovation Festival in 2011.

The challenge on our doorstep: A business view on development

Bettering livelihoods, while safeguarding the environment, will necessitate a transformation of our current system, to an economy that is more inclusive, lower in carbon, and more resource efficient. It will require massive investments in new green cities, energy, water, and transportation systems. This is the purview of business. Business is the leader in building efficient infrastructure. Unleashing business investment will be absolutely essential for these mega-building projects, given that business supplies 85% of all global flows of capital. . . The task of developing sustainably is simply too large and too complicated for business to handle alone. For that, partnerships must be struck, even with former adversaries. Indeed, the formerly conflict-ridden relationship between business and NGOs is evolving into one of constructive dialogue. Partnerships and collaborations, assembling business, government, and civil society around the same table, are needed to find fresh answers to solve difficult problems, such as delivering clean water, sanitation, and other services to the poor in urban slums or remote villages.

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
Highmark
Pashek Associates
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