Sustainable Pittsburgh

Large-scale Solar Development: Water Quality Risk, or Green Infrastructure? The PV-SMaRT Project
2022-04-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Provided by: Water Resource Center
Solar energy is now the least expensive form of electric energy generation in world. Consequently, the market for solar energy projects is surging, with large-scale projects being proposed in every state in the nation. Large-scale PV solar projects, in particular, present unique and uncertain risks and opportunities to water quality and watershed functions. The U.S. Department of Energy funded the Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project to evaluate water quality impacts of large-scale solar development. The study will create solar-specific runoff coefficients that consider type of ground cover, soil type, hydrology, slope, and solar array design based on field testing across the nation and 3-D modeling. The project will also engage permit jurisdictions (authorities having jurisdiction, AHJs), from local to federal, to disseminate the findings and identify permitting best practices to make permitting transparent and predictable and improve water quality outcomes in our nation’s surface waters. One potential implication of the study is understanding the conditions under which conversion of agricultural or disturbed land to solar development with appropriate ground cover could meet green infrastructure goals of improving water quality outcomes within impaired watersheds.

Earth Day Extravaganza
2022-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Join the Center for Creative Reuse this Earth Day for a virtual extravaganza celebrating art and the environment.

Learn about Earth Day! We will share some facts about Earth Day and tidbits of its history.
Learn about Creative Reuse! We will also be sharing the story of our organization, as well as information about the concept of Creative Reuse.
Hear from amazing artists! Enjoy two artist-talks with local reuse artists Naomi Chambers and Brad Bianchi and learn about their work, processes, and the materials they use.
Make Art! You can opt to add a project kit to your ticket purchase, which will include an array of plastic objects to create a unique piece of reuse art. There will be dedicated making time towards the end of the event.

DISCOVER x UNTITLED OPEN TALKS
2022-04-28 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
Provided by UNTITLED
This talk will feature Democratic Society (Demsoc), a non-profit based in Brussels with offices across Europe. Demsoc works to create a democracy that works for everyone. This includes democratizing climate action and involving people in the transition to a just, resilient climate future. Because Climate Action enables us a future and Democracy allows it to be a future for all. Their Climate Programme has been working with over 14 cities across Europe, collaborating with governments at all levels, citizen-led initiatives, funders, researchers, and other nonprofits to achieve climate resilience through democratic means, what DemSoc terms ‘climate democracy’. This talk will highlight DemSoc’s fresh findings on working with change-hesitant cities. Hesitancy or resistance must be only part of the journey, not the end, and it is important to find ways to mobilize action even in settings that are hesitant to act. In such settings, Strategies for a Networked Approach can catalyze and sustain ongoing shifts toward climate democracy.

PA Solar Center Solar Soiree
2022-04-28 17:30 - 20:30 | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Provided by: PA Solar Center
Join the PA Solar Center for their first fundraiser in a luminous evening filled with music, inspirational speakers, fun, and friends as they celebrate their successes over the past few years and look to the future of expanding clean energy across the state.

Forging the Future for Energy Efficiency
2022-05-11 08:00 - 2022-05-12 17:00 | Philadelphia Navy Yard
Presented by: KEEA
Forging the Future for Energy Efficiency is back! Join us Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12 for two full days of energy efficiency programming. Learn, network, and re-connect at our first in-person event of 2022.

Forging the Future for Energy Efficiency
2022-05-11 08:00 - 2022-05-12 17:00 | Philadelphia Navy Yard
11th Annual Policy Conference provided by KEEA

Redefining Equity, Equality, and Justice in Community Development
2022-05-16 08:00 - 2022-05-17 17:00
Provided by: Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group
12th Annual Community Development Summit. Details to follow.

PITTSBURGH 2030 DISTRICT PROGRESS REPORT RECEPTION
2022-05-24 16:30 - 19:30 | The National Aviary, 700 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Presented by: Green Building Alliance.
Join GBA’s 2030 District team for the return of our in-person celebration of property partners in the Pittsburgh 2030 District!

Metrics that Matter: Evaluating Green Stormwater Infrastructure Performance
2022-05-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Provided by: Water Resources Center
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is being implemented with greater and greater frequency throughout the country in order to meet water quality goals, enhance our communities, improve climate change resiliency, and even reduce costs. It is considered an important tool for communities addressing source reduction, particularly under the recent municipal consent orders distributed to communities by the Allegheny County Health Department and PA Department of Environmental Protection. But how do owners and/or operators know if the GSI is doing what it was designed to do? During this session, stormwater program managers, governments, community organizations, and even design professionals will learn methods for assessing the effectiveness of GSI and the complexities and compromises that should be considered when performing an assessment of installed GSI practices. To that end, this presentation will explore the “metrics that matter” for every stage of a GSI project, from initial site planning to design methodologies to construction phase evaluations and ultimately to postconstruction performance monitoring. The goal is to provide municipal and design communities with a practical framework of the available and emerging resources and tools necessary to deliver GSI projects that will pass the test of time, especially in an increasingly complex social environment and in a changing climate.

2022 Nature of Place Symposium, "The Voice of Change"
2022-06-15 12:00 - 2022-06-17 13:30 | Virtual
Provided by: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
This year, our symposium theme is “metamorphosis.” One of the largest obstacles in our human response to environmental issues like climate change has nothing to do with technology, knowledge, or intelligence: it’s human behavior and mindset. We often fear change, struggle to authentically communicate with those around us, and feel like we lack the tools to influence decision makers. With all of this in mind, the goal of Nature of Place: The Voice of Change is to help us connect to our communities, reconnect with the natural world, and catalyze real and lasting change towards climate action and an equitable green future.

BRIDGE TO 2030
2022-06-21 08:30 - 10:30 | The Highline Conference Center, 317 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Provided by: Green Building Alliance
Join GBA’s 2030 District team for breakfast and networking at the Highline; learn about the intersection of Building Science and Data Science and latest updates from Duquesne Light Co.

League Sustainability Web Conference
2022-06-21 09:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
Join the Pennsylvania Municipal League for their 2022 League Sustainability Conference.

Open Streets - Downtown to Lawrenceville
2022-06-26 10:00 - 14:00
Penn Avenue and Butler Street are yours for the day, so lace up your sneakers or pump up your bike tires! Come out to Explore hundreds of businesses from Market Square to the Strip District to Lawrenceville on our most popular route yet!

E-Waste Collection
2022-07-05 11:00 - 14:00
Provided by: PRC
At no cost, participants can drop off cell/home phones, computer towers and peripheral equipment (keyboards, laptops, mice, etc.) and video game consoles/DVD players.
For an additional fee, individuals can drop off televisions, computer monitors and printers.

Southwest Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency Roundtable: Solar Project Planning and Opportunities
2022-07-28 08:30 - 10:30 | Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) North Campus, Room 3002, 8701 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA
The SWPA EE Roundtable has teamed up with PA Solar Center and the CCAC North Campus to provide an in-person presentation on the G.E.T. Solar program and showcase CCAC North’s new 543kW solar installment, which was facilitated by the G.E.T. Solar program.
PA Solar Center’s G.E.T. Solar program provides technical assistance and financial guidance for organizations across the Commonwealth looking to benefit from solar energy.
The SWPA EE Roundtable’s mission is to help businesses and industry in SWPA reduce energy costs through improved energy management, energy efficiency optimization, and implementation of cutting-edge technology. The Roundtable provides a forum for large industrial and commercial energy users to share information and learn from experts on various energy topics, from energy efficiency technologies to energy management strategies.

G.E.T. Solar Communities Round 2 Informational Session
2022-08-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Please join the Pennsylvania Solar Center for their video conference to learn more about G.E.T. Solar Communities, the latest instalment of the G.E.T. Solar initiative, wherein they help communities across the commonwealth realize their solar energy potential.
G.E.T. Solar Communities works with municipalities and community leadership organizations to build community awareness of solar energy and guides businesses and non-profit organizations with the community through the entire solar procurement process. Pennsylvania Solar Center connects them with the technical assistance and financing options that best suits their project, while providing education and support throughout.
If your community has considered going solar, now is the time!

Household Chemical Collection Event in Allegheny County at Boyce Park
2022-08-20 08:45 - 13:00 | Location Boyce Park Four Seasons Ski Lodge Parking Lot, 754 Center Road, Piitsburgh, PA
Safely dispose of common household chemicals Saturday, August 20th, at Pennsylvania Resource Council’s Household Chemical Collection event. PRC’s collection events are registration based. This allows them to control the flow of traffic into the event, ensuring an efficient and safe experience for the public and their staff and recycling partners. Learn more and register here!

ROCIS Intro to the Low Cost Monitoring Project
2022-08-28 19:00 - 20:15, 2022-08-29 10:30 - 11:45 | Virtual
Provided by: ROCIS
The purpose of this project is to explore and clarify the value of and applications for low cost monitoring devices in the context of indoor air quality. While our focus is on dwellings and their residents, we can accommodate several participants representing workplaces in each cohort—as long as there is a suitable place to locate monitors outside. Monitoring kits are loaned for a period of 4 weeks. The kit includes seven devices to measure particles, CO (carbon monoxide), CO2 (carbon dioxide), radon, temperature, and humidity.
Take this webinar to learn more about the LCMP and our upcoming virtual monitoring Cohort 52 (Sept. 15–Oct. 14). A limited number of folks outside of southwest PA can participate in this cohort.

ALCOSAN's 2022 Open House
2022-09-10 09:00 - 16:00 | ALCOSAN, 3300 Preble Ave, Pittsburgh, PA|PA|PA|PA
Provided by: ALCOSAN
Join ALCOSAN for its award-winning Open House, Saturday, September 10, 2022 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rain or shine, enjoy a fun-filled day of hands-on environmental exhibits, wastewater treatment plant and laboratory tours, microbiology and watershed life demonstrations, and educational activities for all ages! FREE and Open to the public!
Register here.
Please note: Registration for tours is required and can be done here.
Check out their treatment plant construction underway to support ALCOSAN’s Clean Water Plan.

Electric Vehicle Charging Community Info Session
2022-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Manchester Citizen Corp. Office, 1319 Allegheny Avenue, 1st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA
Presented by: PennDOT
Learn about the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. Provide your thoughts about EVs and the needs in your community.

Return on all Relationships (R.O.A.R.)
2022-09-15 16:00 - 19:00 | AC Hotel by Marriott Pittsburgh Downtown, 1126 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Provided by: EMSDC
This pop-up Pittsburgh Panel Discussion and Networking Event will feature a panel discussion amongst diverse business owners doing business in the local, national, and global marketplace and moderated by Allegheny Conference on Community Development Vice President of Marketing, Jennifer M. Spann. Each of the companies represented are led certified Minority Businesses and they do business in and bring business into Pittsburgh. This convening event leads up to the EMSDC Annual R.O.A.R. Conference and continues the conversation about how local business is global business and how diverse businesses make a difference in the Pittsburgh region as EMSDC celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

Watts & Learn Webinar Series
2022-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Presented by: PA Solar Center and KEEA
Please join the Pennsylvania Solar Center and Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance for a discussion about how the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act can support the expansion of solar energy and energy efficiency in our state. We’ll take a deep dive into the solar and energy efficiency programs, grants, incentives, and other opportunities enabled by the Inflation Reduction Act as well as suggestions for what to expect in the coming months.

ADHESIVES & SEALANTS SUSTAINABILITY FORUM
2022-09-19 00:00 - 2022-09-21 23:59 | Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Presented by: The Adhesives and Sealants Council
This two-day forum will provide an understanding of sustainability concepts applicable to the adhesive and sealant industry, including case studies, stakeholder partnerships, and existing challenges and opportunities among the covered presentations.

Clean Energy Justice Convergence
2022-09-20 00:00 - 2022-09-23 23:59
Presented by: The Clean Energy Justice Convergence
The Clean Energy Justice Convergence is a 3-day action during the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial in Pittsburgh on September 21-23, 2022. This work is dedicated to frontline communities and will shine a spotlight on the costs, health impacts and environmental devastation associated with extractive and fossil fuel-based energy initiatives. Check out the many events during this convergence.

2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum
2022-09-21 00:00 - 2022-09-23 23:59 | David L Lawrence Convention Center
On September 21 – 23, 2022, in Pittsburgh, the U.S. will host the first ever Global Clean Energy Action Forum. A joint convening of the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial and 7th Mission Innovation ministerial — along with partners in the private sector, academia, innovators, civil society, youth and communities everywhere. The three-day event will feature a high-level plenary, topical roundtables with energy and science ministers from 31 countries, CEOs and experts, side events, technology demonstrations, and other activities. This will be THE clean energy event of the year! Register today at https://gceaf.org/registration/.
We are pleased to share that Sustainable Pittsburgh Executive Director Joylette Portlock is joining partners from across southwestern PA to serve on the host committee for the GCEAF. Learn more about the host committee at https://gceaf.org/host-committee/.

Lawn Conversion and Green Infrastructure–Why and How? (Part 1)
2022-09-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Join WeConservePA and guest speakers from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Forestry, Rural and Community Forestry section for a two-part presentation on the whys and how-to’s of lawn conversion and green infrastructure.
DCNR launched its Lawn Conversion program in 2020. Born out of the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, this statewide program’s goal is to improve water quality through converting mowed grass lawn areas to either forest or meadow, both of which help to improve infiltration and remove pollutants in stormwater runoff. In this session, we will cover how the lawn conversion program was envisioned and how it is currently operating, how DCNR is working to make lawn conversion funding and technical assistance available to partner organizations working with landowners in Pennsylvania, the basics of designing and implementing lawn conversion projects, and the challenges that come with converting lawn to meadow or forest.

Pennsylvania Sustainability Summit
2022-10-03 00:00 - 2022-10-07 23:59 | Virtual
Presented by: PA GreenGov Council
Join Pennsylvania’s leading sustainability experts, elected officials, state-agency leaders and policymakers for an exciting and informative series of conversations and presentations during the first-ever Pennsylvania Sustainability Summit hosted by the PA GreenGov Council.
This conference is free, open to all, and virtual — so you can join from your home or office. Attendees will get an inside view of the policies, programs and funding initiatives designed to help advance energy efficiency, climate resiliency and create a more sustainable future for Pennsylvania.

Decent Work and Economic Growth
2022-10-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Presented by: The GreenGov Council and Penn State’s Sustainability Institute
This webinar will feature Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center, as we explore employment and financial inequalities within our society. Specific discussion areas will include the current state and impact of unemployment, inflation, and income inequality in Pennsylvania.

PRC's Pittsburgh ReuseFest
2022-10-15 10:00 - 14:00 | To Be Announced
Clean out the garage…the basement…the overflowing closets throughout the house and gather gently used items to drop off at ReuseFest, a large-scale collection of materials to be REUSED by local nonprofits.
The Pennsylvania Resources Council’s “ReuseFest” – a one-of-a-kind drop-off event for gently used materials destined for reuse by numerous local nonprofit organizations – accepts a wide variety of items including bedding/bath, clothing, furniture, kitchen items, medical supplies, pet supplies and more.
Click on here to view a list of participating nonprofits and materials accepted.
