Sustainable Pittsburgh

2024 Strategy Summit
2024-01-16 11:00 - 2024-01-17 13:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Presented by ReImagine Appalachia

Celebrating Our Victories; Visioning What’s Next to Build an Appalachia That’s Good for Our Workers, Communities and Climate.

Join us to hear from experts from labor, economic development, environmental justice, racial and community justice on what it will take to compete successfully for federal resources and to strategize with us on the work we need to do TOGETHER to draw down those resources and start turning our collective vision for a 21st century sustainable Appalachia into a reality.

Organizer

Venue

GreenGov Council & Penn State Sustainability Institute Webinar Series: Climate & Environmental Health
2024-01-12 13:00 - 13:45 | Virtual
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has been doing a significant amount of work recently around environmental health, environmental justice, and the impact of a changing climate on health. Learn how DOH is addressing its core objectives around ambient air quality, heat-related hospitalizations, and lead exposures.

Organizer

Venue

Priority Climate Action Plan
2023-12-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
As part of the IRA, the DEP is administering a new grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to combat damaging climate pollution. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will use the funding to provide grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop climate action plans and implement projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air co-pollutants. This program aims to achieve three objectives:

Tackle damaging climate pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering energy costs for families.

Accelerate work to address environmental injustice and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods.

Deliver cleaner air by reducing harmful air pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school.

By reducing these GHG emissions and other air pollutants, we can reduce the human impact on the environment and improve health outcomes related to climate hazards. The CPRG program has two funding phases: planning and implementation.Outreach and EngagementDuring the planning phase, the commonwealth will develop climate action plans that identify emissions reduction measures. The Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) by March 1, 2024, and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) by July 1, 2025. The PCAP will include greenhouse gas reductions that are a priority for Pennsylvania communities and businesses, focusing on strategies for the industrial sector.As a part of our engagement process, DEP is hosting meetings in communities around the state, as well as this virtual session, to convene with residents, learn about their needs and climate concerns, and incorporate their priorities into its PCAP. Public outreach will continue through the end of the CPRG Planning Phase in 2027.

Organizer

Venue

SCDN Policy Connection: Activating Carbon-Emissions Reduction Through Energy Efficiency Strategies
2023-12-05 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Event Overview:

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh, the Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Franklin Energy for the SCDN Policy Connection: Activating Carbon-Emissions Reduction through Energy Efficiency Strategies webinar on Tuesday, December 5th to learn more about how energy efficiency can benefit buildings, transportation, industry, and other sectors through cost savings, improved health, electricity reliability, and meaningful carbon-emissions reductions.

Featured presentations will be given by the Energy Efficiency Alliance on resources that are available now and what can be expected in the future to support energy efficiency technologies and practices. Duquesne Light Company and Franklin Energy will provide information that small businesses and local governments can use to advance their carbon reduction goals through energy efficiency.

The program will also feature a preview of the upcoming Carbon Reduction Sprint, a fun and friendly, 6-month competition for organizations to compete against peers in earning points for actions that advance carbon-emissions reduction.

Background:

Energy efficiency offers one of the most compelling opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, yet its benefits depend on how communities, businesses and other organizations commit to taking action now and for the long-term. Through energy efficiency, buildings, transportation, industry, and other sectors can benefit from cost savings, improved health, electricity reliability, and carbon-emissions reduction potential. Opportunities to decarbonize via energy efficiency exist for schools and municipal buildings, small businesses, restaurants, commercial buildings, and more! Moreover, Pennsylvania expects to receive at least $67 million for clean energy from resources activated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Combined with uncapped tax incentives available from the Inflation Reduction Act for existing or new decarbonization strategies, energy efficiency is poised to be a key component of any decarbonization strategy.

Featured Speakers:

Dave DefideSenior Manager of Customer ProgramsDuquesne Light Company

Rachel GoodgalGovernment Affairs ManagerEnergy Efficiency Alliance

Kelly HendersonDirector of ProgramsSustainable Pittsburgh

Matt MahoneyDirector of Government AffairsSustainable Pittsburgh

Liz McQuaideSenior Program ManagerFranklin Energy

Leslie RhoadsSustainability CoordinatorPennsylvania Municipal League

Organizer

Venue

Priority Climate Action Plan
2023-12-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Clairton City Hall, 551 Ravensburg Boulevard, Clairton, Pennsylvania, 15025
As part of the IRA, the DEP is administering a new grant program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to combat damaging climate pollution. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will use the funding to provide grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop climate action plans and implement projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air co-pollutants. This program aims to achieve three objectives:

Tackle damaging climate pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering energy costs for families.

Accelerate work to address environmental injustice and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods.

Deliver cleaner air by reducing harmful air pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school.

By reducing these GHG emissions and other air pollutants, we can reduce the human impact on the environment and improve health outcomes related to climate hazards. The CPRG program has two funding phases: planning and implementation.

Outreach and Engagement

During the planning phase, the commonwealth will develop climate action plans that identify emissions reduction measures. The Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) by March 1, 2024, and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) by July 1, 2025. The PCAP will include GHG reductions that are a priority for Pennsylvania communities and businesses, focusing on strategies for the industrial sector.

As a part of our engagement process, DEP plans to host meetings in communities around the state to convene with residents, learn about their needs and climate concerns, and incorporate their priorities into its PCAP. Public outreach will begin in Fall 2023 and will continue through the end of the CPRG Planning Phase in 2027.

Organizer

Venue

Giving Tuesday
2023-11-28 00:00 - 23:59
A day that celebrates generosity locally and around the world, Giving Tuesday is a great day to support Sustainable Pittsburgh and help create a more equitable, resilient, healthy, and prosperous region.

If you make your gift on or before Giving Tuesday, November 28, you will be entered into a drawing for a complimentary, private, docent-led tour of Unsettling Matter, Gaining Ground at the Heinz Architectural Center of the Carnegie Museum of Art on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 6-7:30 pm. We will randomly select six lucky individuals for the opportunity to view this provocative exhibit, which narrates the complex economic, social, ecological and political stories of fossil fuel extraction and its impacts on people and the places they live. Bringing together historical artwork alongside contemporary projects and new commissions, the exhibit features paintings, prints, sculpture, architectural drawings, installation, film, and more. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art, life, and the impacts of extractive industry.

Organizer

Venue

Community Choice Aggregation: Boroughs are Ready!
2023-11-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join the Pennsylvania Solar Center and their panel of experts to learn more about Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), an opportunity for Pennsylvania boroughs to advance solar in their communities. CCA is well established in more than a dozen states, and it has already been authorized for Pennsylvania boroughs to take action. CCA enables local governments to choose electricity providers for their constituents while residents and local businesses can opt out of CCA at any time. When combined with solar, CCA provides strong energy price stability and lower energy costs compared to what individual consumers can negotiate on their own.

Organizer

Venue

Webinar Series: Designing Successful State Energy Office IRA Rebate Programs
2023-11-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Webinar #4 (November 16): How to Leverage IRA Programs to Offer Whole-Home Solutions

The final webinar in the series will highlight ways that SEOs can harmonize IRA rebates with other programs to offer whole-home solutions.

Many people, especially those living in low-income households or disadvantaged communities, are in need of more than just one appliance upgrade. States can better meet these families’ needs if they can effectively engage with such households and communities to find strategies that offer multiple benefits at once, and help residents afford, navigate and sequence their needed improvements.

Come hear about what SEOs and implementers can do to meet households’ whole-house needs!

Organizer

Venue

2023 CEOs for Sustainability C-Suite Summit
2023-11-15 08:00 - 12:00 | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Bold goals and urgent action. Join the CEOs for Sustainability executive network as they host their annual C-Suite Summit on Wednesday, November 15 at the Energy Innovation Center. This year’s gathering will feature business leaders highlighting their companies’ sustainability progress and actions to address climate risks, support communities, and build the regional energy economy of tomorrow. Networking opportunities and an optional tour are included.

CEOs for Sustainability is the nation’s only executive network providing regional thought leadership on business sustainability. Participating companies represent more than $150 billion in total revenues and 100,000 employees. CEOs for Sustainability recognizes that prosperous businesses are at the foundation of a thriving, equitable region.

The C-Suite Summit is presented by UPMC Health Plan and hosted in partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh.

Learn more here!

Organizer

Venue

GreenGov Council & Penn State Sustainability Institute Webinar Series: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Repair Cafes
2023-11-09 13:00 - 13:45 | Virtual
Repair Cafes are gaining momentum! These Cafés provide a community response and engagement that is helping to address our “throw-away” culture. Hear about Pennsylvania’s first Repair Café and how the model can be expanded within Pennsylvania.

Organizer

Venue

Webinar Series: Designing Successful State Energy Office IRA Rebate Programs
2023-11-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Webinar #3 (November 9): The Crucial Partnership with Regulators: What Should SEOs Ask of PUC/PSCs

The third webinar in the series will answer questions that could make the difference between a program that decarbonizes a limited number of homes and one that decarbonizes homes and transforms the entire building and home appliance market in your state.

Hear from a cutting-edge program implementer about the key elements that allow for leveraging of multiple funding streams and still ensure seamless delivery to customers. Regulatory experts will then share actionable recommendations for how to make this best practice scenario a reality in your state.

This is a perfect opportunity to learn how a lasting, cooperative partnership between the state energy office and utility regulator is an essential tool for maximizing benefits from the IRA.

Organizer

Venue

2023 GPNP Summit
2023-11-09 00:00 - 2023-11-11 23:59 | David L Lawrence Convention Center
Presented by: The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership

The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (GPNP) biennial Summit offers an opportunity to connect 1,000+ attendees with pertinent resources; identify and develop cross-sectoral strategies for nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and the public sector; and empower individuals as well as organizations to collaborate, advocate, and act.

Organizer

Venue

Electric Vehicle Charging Community Information Session
2023-11-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, 42 21st St, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222, United States
Join for an interactive community discussion about deploying electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in your community. Learn about Pennsylvania’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Plan for a convenient, reliable, affordable, and equitable electric vehicle charging network. Provide your feedback on electric vehicles and the needs of your community.

Organizer

Venue

O'Noir the Experience
2023-11-04 19:00 - 23:00 | The Grand Hall at the Priory, 614 Pressley Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The O’Noir Foundation is proud to present to you, O’Noir: The Experience, a collaborative interactive event where fashion and food become one.

O’Noir: The Experience is a 5-course wine dinner featuring 5 local chefs and 5 fashion designers. The twist, all food will be the color black and inspired by fashion created by our designers. As you are presented each dish, you will view the clothing that inspired your course on models walking around.

Organizer

Venue

Inspire Speakers Series presents: Everything Old is New Again: A Lesson In Material Reuse
2023-11-02 17:30 - 20:30 | Assembly, 5051 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213
The circular economy is an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products. While the notion was first theorized in the1930s and evolved into a movement with the book Cradle to Cradle in the early 2000s, many cultures and communities have already been following a reuse lifestyle for generations. While the circular economy relates to any type of consumer product, it can be especially impactful when applied to the buildings where we spend our time. Our buildings contain thousands of materials and products, most of which are sent to the landfill at the end of use. But there are ways in which our buildings can help preserve our health, the environment, and our culture.

Organizer

Venue

Webinar Series: Designing Successful State Energy Office IRA Rebate Programs
2023-11-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Webinar #2 (November 2): Investing in a Community-Based Efficiency Workforce with the IRA

The second webinar of the series will dive into how states can leverage new funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to train, test, and certify energy efficiency and electrification contractors. This funding, called the IRA Contractor Training Grants, can assist in establishing and growing a statewide efficiency workforce. Speakers will provide an overview of the intent and requirements for the funding, as well as on-the-ground examples of programs states can implement, no matter their current workforce status.

This is a great opportunity to learn how states can leverage this funding to invest in and lay the groundwork for a well-trained, equitable, statewide energy efficiency workforce.

Organizer

Venue

2023 Sustainable PA Annual Conference
2023-11-01 08:00 - 2023-11-03 17:00 | Wyndham Gettysburg
Presented by: Pennsylvania Municipal League

This year’s conference will focus on promoting sustainable practices in Pennsylvania and exploring ways to reach local community energy emissions reduction goals, specifically by creating a climate action plan.

Organizer

Venue

Webinar Series: Designing Successful State Energy Office IRA Rebate Programs
2023-10-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Webinar #1 (October 26): Program Design Principles and Elevating Equity

The webinar series kickoff will feature rebate program design principles and best practices for elevating equity and multifamily solutions. Expert speakers will highlight key considerations for both SEOs and their implementation partners, including utilizing data to set program objectives, offering hands-on support for participants and contractors, ensuring durable retrofit market momentum, and facilitating stakeholder involvement to inform solutions. Equity priorities will be a common thread throughout the webinar, including guidance for serving affordable multifamily housing.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about innovative program design and solutions that connect with disadvantaged populations to maximize rebate program impacts in your state.

Organizer

Venue

Life Without Lead Summit
2023-10-26 08:30 - 16:00 | Virtual
Join for an exciting day at the Life Without Lead Summit! This event is your chance to learn, connect, and take action for a lead-safe future in Allegheny County. Hear from inspiring speakers, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and discover innovative solutions to eliminate lead from our lives and prevent childhood lead poisoning. Lead poisoning affects communities as a whole, so we all need to take responsibility for addressing this issue.

Organizer

Venue

Bridge to Equity: Affordable Housing
2023-10-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Fairmont Pittsburgh, 510 Market St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222
Bridge to Equity examines how economic and social disparities in communities populated by people of color are jeopardizing various aspects of the region’s economy. This installment explores affordable housing — what’s being done to ensure underserved populations are getting access to the housing they need and what still needs to happen to move the needle further.

Organizer

Venue

Pittsburgh WRISE Inaugural Gala Event
2023-10-25 16:30 - 19:30 | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Presented by: Pittsburgh WRISE

Join national clean energy leaders on October 25, 2023 to launch the WRISE Pittsburgh. Meet Abby Hopper, President and CEO of SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association, who co-founded #REPlus and is a C3E Women in Clean Energy Ambassador, as the keynote, with welcoming remarks from DOE’s Anna J. Siefken and WRISE Executive Director Doseke Akporiaye along with local government officials and industry leaders.

WRISE accelerates the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future by igniting the collective power of community, and imagines a transformed energy ecosystem where all people and our planet thrive by focusing on community, equity, courage, and authenticity. The organization offers networking and mentoring for women and others who want to make an impact.

Organizer

Venue

Climate Action Community Bike Ride
2023-10-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Rivers Heritage Trail, 3328 Penn Avenue & 21st Street POGOH station, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219
Take advantage of the crisp weather and enjoy the peak of fall foliage as we ride along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Along the way, hear from local organizations about how they’re working to make our region more sustainable and learn how we can take climate action in our daily lives.

Organizer

Venue

Climate Action Community Bike Ride
2023-10-22 10:00 - 13:00
Presented by: World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh

Do you want to protect our world, but don’t know where to start? Join The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh for a Climate Action Community Bike Ride on October 22, 10AM-1PM to enjoy our region’s trails and connect with our globally-minded community.

Together, you will ride on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, looping through Point State Park and ending in the Strip District. Along the way, attendees will hear from speakers on how you can take action to build a more sustainable world.

Organizer

Venue

Solar Guidebook for Pennsylvania Landowners: Leasing Property for Large-Scale Solar Development
2023-10-20 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Solar is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the U.S. solar industry is on target to add a record-breaking 32 gigawatts of new solar capacity to the grid in 2023, which is 50% more than it added last year. Due to several policy incentives and the fact that large-scale solar is now the least expensive form of electricity, energy companies around the world are expanding their solar operations through large-scale and community solar operations. Many of them have their eyes set on Pennsylvania due to its abundance of land and proximity to electricity transmission lines. That’s why the Pennsylvania Solar Center and Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services have teamed up to develop a Guidebook for Landowners to navigate Pennsylvania’s growing solar markets.

Organizer

Venue

Indiana County's 6th Annual Sustainable Economic Development Summit
2023-10-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC), 711 Pratt Dr, Indiana, Pennsylvania, 15705
Presented by: The Sustainable Economic Development Task Force

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to support a sustainable economy in Indiana County!

This year’s topics include:

– Solar Leasing In Indiana County with Tom Beresnyak and Joseph Conklin of Penn State Extension of Indiana County

– Indiana County Broadband Deployment Initiative with Byron Stauffer Jr and Rea Energy

– Outdoor Recreation Economy with Adriene Smochek, First Waves, Laura R. Herrington, and Robert Nymick

– Second Annual Electric Vehicle Car Show!!!

– Air Liquide Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plant In Center Twp., PA

– And “Uplifting People, Place, & Projects: Economic, Workforce, & Community Revitalization in Indiana County” with Sherene Hess, Indiana County Commissioner

Organizer

Venue

Dine with a Purpose
2023-10-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Casbah Mediterranean Kitchen & Wine Bar, 229 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206
Through a unique partnership with Casbah, we are able to offer a limited number of seats for Sustainable Pittsburgh supporters to come and enjoy a chef-curated, four-course meal and an opportunity to talk with Joylette Portlock, Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Executive Director. Join us, and hear the latest on our work to empower decision-making that builds a fundamentally equitable, resilient, healthy, and prosperous region. Together, we are creating a region where stakeholders are connected, sustainability knowledge is shared and applied, and all people can succeed.

Organizer

Venue

2023 Municipal Leadership Summit
2023-10-05 08:00 - 2023-10-08 18:00 | Wind Creek Hotel, Bethlehem, PA
Presented by: Pennsylvania Municipal League

Elected and appointed officials from the Pennsylvania Municipal League, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners and the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association will share resources and innovative ideas, discuss issues of mutual concern and participate in a wide array of educational and professional development sessions designed to address the ways and means of meeting pressing challenges of municipal management and good governance.

Organizer

Venue

2023 Annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week
2023-10-02 13:00 - 2023-10-06 12:00 | Virtual
Presented by: PA GreenGov Council & Penn State Sustainability

The week’s events will feature daily webinars, each featuring subject matter experts followed by an open question & answer discussion providing folks the opportunity to share their questions and receive feedback in real-time.

Organizer

Venue

SCDN Policy Connection: Vitalizing Justice40 Opportunities
2023-09-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Justice40 is a national initiative that calls for at least 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments to be directed to communities overburdened by social, environmental and economic distress. Seventeen federal agencies have identified over 450 Justice40-covered programs to prioritize communities experiencing flooding, high energy costs, high asthma rates, transportation barriers, and many other types of burdens.

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh and guest speakers to learn more about what the Justice40 Initiative may mean for your municipality and how to access tools available to address a variety of environmental justice needs. We’ll also review Pennsylvania’s recently updated Environmental Justice Policy and new PennEnviroScreen tool, which identifies communities facing environmental justice issues using 32 environmental, health and socio-economic indicators.

Speakers:

Justin Dula, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Kelly Henderson, Sustainable Pittsburgh

Matt Mahoney, Sustainable Pittsburgh

Matthew Tejada, US Environmental Protection Agency

View Speaker Bios

Organizer

Venue

Electric Power Transformation: 2023 MEGA Symposium
2023-09-26 00:00 - 2023-09-27 23:59 | Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square, 300 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Presented by: The Air & Waste Management Association

The MEGA Symposium returns in 2023 with a focus on the transition of the energy generation industry to cleaner and climate resilient electric power that can remain cost-effective and reliable. Electric power energy issues abound as the world and the industry address environmental policy challenges—climate change, air quality, waste and water policy, environmental justice, and Environmental Social Governance (ESG)—and various technology issues related to energy production and delivery, including the latest cutting-edge options.

The MEGA Symposium will provide technical information, solutions, and insights on policy developments; methods for managing compliance; and new technologies and environmental controls. The conference content will be of value to power company staff responsible for compliance and policy, managers, and engineers; technology suppliers and consultants; project developers; early career industry professionals; government agency managers and staff; academicians; and staff from environmental non-governmental organizations in North America and beyond.

Organizer

Venue
