Sustainable Pittsburgh

Bridge to Equity: Affordable Housing
2023-10-26 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Watts & Learn: Solar + Storage + Microgrids = Energy Freedom
2023-09-22 00:30 - 01:00 | Virtual
Over the past few years, Pennsylvania state agencies, advocates, utilities, and other stakeholders have looked more closely at the potential of electricity-storage, microgrids, and other systems that support the growth of solar and other renewable energy in Pennsylvania. But what have we learned?

Join the Pennsylvania Solar Center and the experts for an update on all of these timely and relevant activities. We’ll be joined by Dave Edinger at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to provide an overview of the PUC’s Proposed Policy Statement, and Kevin Wright, President of ProtoGen, a Pennsylvania-based microgrid developer, to talk about ProtoGen’s evaluation of microgrid feasibility across Pennsylvania.

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Alcosan's Annual Open House
2023-09-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15233
Presented by: Alcosan

The region’s largest watershed and environmental festival, FREE and open to the public! Explore informative and entertaining exhibits suitable for all ages. You’ll learn about Alcosan’s efforts to support the Clean Water Plan, and see firsthand the construction of their treatment plant.

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Commercial Induction Cooking Workshop - CHECK Program
2023-09-15 10:00 - 13:00 | RE Farm Café at Windswept, 1000 Fillmore Road, Pennsylvania
Are you interested in decarbonizing your building by converting your commercial kitchen to induction cookingequipment? If so, join us for this in-person workshop!

Learn about DEP’s new Cooking in Healthy ElectrifiedCommercial Kitchens (CHECK) rebate program forRestaurants, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits whose missionsfocus on healthcare or community services.

Chef Chris Galarza of Forward Dining Solutions will provide in-person demonstrations ofvarious induction cooking equipment and explain how it works to reduce facility energycosts and improve the health of building occupants. You’ll be able to experience firsthandthe excellent performance of induction cooking and learn helpful tips on how to use thisequipment.

This FREE workshop is open to anyone interested in learning about induction cooking andpotentially installing this equipment in their commercial kitchen.

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Fair Shake Fest - Celebrate 10 Years of Environmental Legal Aid in Appalachia
2023-09-14 18:30 - 21:30 | Tree Pittsburgh, 32 62nd St, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Presented by: Fair Shake

Celebrating 10 years of environmental legal aid in Appalachia! Enjoy an evening of food, drinks, live bluegrass music and silent auction with items from partners such as Patagonia & learn how they work to support equal access, environmental justice, and community democracy.

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Time to Scale Up!
2023-09-06 08:00 - 2023-09-07 17:00 | Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
Join KEEA & EEA-NJ for their 12th Annual Policy Conference. Whether your work covers New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or beyond, you’ll leave with real insight on how the energy efficiency industry can meet the moment—and scale.

Unprecedented levels of investment in energy efficiency and adjacent sectors are poised to transform our industry both regionally and nationally. Growth and expansion are in the cards—but can we take what we’ve been dealt and do it the right way? “Time to Scale Up!” looks to the future with an eye toward the best policy, program, and practical strategies for making this growth stage in our industry both sustainable and impactful.

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KING COAL: A Film Screening
2023-08-28 19:30 - 20:50 | Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222
With director Elaine McMillion Sheldon in person to introduce the film and do Q&A after the screening! Co-Presented with Film Pittsburgh.

A lyrical tapestry of a place and people, KING COAL meditates on the complex history and future of the coal industry, the communities it has shaped, and the myths it has created. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon reshapes the boundaries of documentary filmmaking in a spectacularly beautiful and deeply moving immersion into Central Appalachia where coal is not just a resource, but a way of life, imagining the ways a community can re-envision itself. While deeply situated in the regions under the reign of King Coal, where McMillion Sheldon has lived and worked her entire life, the film transcends time and place, emphasizing the ways in which all are connected through an immersive mosaic of belonging, ritual, and imagination. Emerging from the long shadows of the coal mines, KING COAL untangles the pain from the beauty, and illuminates the innately human capacity for change.

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Climate Smart Agriculture: Impacts from the Affordable Clean Energy Plan
2023-08-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Learn more about the 2023 Farm Bill, the reauthorization process, and why climate smart conservation programs are so vital to addressing the climate crisis. The historic passage of the Affordable Clean Energy Plan is at the one year mark, and along with the extensive clean energy programs is a $20 billion Farm Bill. There is no shortage of threats to cutting various conservation and climate smart agricultural components within the Farm Bill, and it is essential that throughout the legislative process that these programs remain intact. A robust and clean Farm Bill will have a significant impact on farming livelihood, how food is grown, and addressing long standing inequities in our food systems for farmers of color. This legislation covers programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers, to healthy food access for low-income families, supporting sustainable farming practices and more.

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2023 Nature of Place Symposium: Faith and the Environment
2023-08-23 08:30 - 2023-08-24 17:00 | Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, PA, United States
The way people interact with nature and relate to the wild world is often rooted in the spiritual ideas and beliefs that we were raised with. The symposium invites us all to explore the spectrum of beliefs about nature held by our neighbors and community members so we can understand one another and discover the hidden points where our views intersect. By examining the intertwined histories of belief, nature and humanity, we seek to learn from the past and present to cultivate climate action for the future.The first day of the symposium will be virtual and feature academic insights on the relationship between spiritual beliefs and environmental action, and the second day can be attended either in-person or virtually and will feature a variety of practicing perspectives on building creative bridges towards climate action.

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Food at the Foundation: Why Appalachia Needs Food Assistance that Works for Us
2023-08-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Learn why the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – also known as food assistance- is so important to Appalachian communities, and how to advocate for a stronger SNAP program for Appalachia in the upcoming Farm Bill. We need to build an economy that respects working people—that means improving access to food benefits. Making it easier for families to access food assistance allows people to work, take care of their families, and contribute to their communities.

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Shaping the Pennsylvania Clean Energy & Efficiency Workforce Future
2023-08-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
EEA, E2, the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia, and Sustainable Pittsburgh are proud to partner on a workforce development webinar focused on Shaping the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Workforce Future. This fast-paced virtual event will feature several presenters—including DEP Secretary Richard Negrin and PUC Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss—along with interactive opportunities for attendees to ask questions. Pennsylvania recently welcomed a slate of new administrative leaders, poised to help the Commonwealth’s business community capitalize on both the relentless transition to a cleaner energy future and new federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. But that business community also faces significant workforce shortages. Join us as we address the state of readiness of our workforce for the next phase of the clean energy transition.

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Sustainable Developers Roundtable with Dr. Patricia M. DeMarco and ReImagine Appalachia
2023-08-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Presented by: The Forbes Funds

When confronted by what appears as an impossible challenge with unwanted consequences, what can a community do? This was the dilemma faced by hundreds of communities in the Ohio River Valley in 2019 as industry and mainstream politicians touted the purported benefits of establishing a “Plastics Hub” in the Ohio River Valley, driven by the Marcellus Shale resources. ReImagine Appalachia Blueprint lays out a different fate, one which reinvests in communities, relies on strong union jobs and builds a shared prosperity for everyone.

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Commercial Induction Cooking Workshop - CHECK Program
2023-08-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Chatham University's Eden Hall Campus, 6035 Ridge Road, Gibsonia, PA, United States
Presented by: PA DEP

Are you interested in decarbonizing your building by converting your commercial kitchen to induction cooking equipment? If so, join us for this in-person workshop!

Learn about DEP’s new Cooking in Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchens (CHECK) rebateprogram for Restaurants, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits whosemissions focus on healthcare or community services.

Chef Chris Galarza of Forward Dining Solutions will provide in-person demonstrations ofvarious induction cooking equipment and explain how it works to reduce facility energycosts and improve the health of building occupants. You’ll be able to experience firsthandthe excellent performance of induction cooking and learn helpful tips on how to use thisequipment.

This FREE workshop is open to anyone interested in learning about induction cooking andpotentially installing this equipment in their commercial kitchen.

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CCA for PA Boroughs Progress Report
2023-07-26 10:00 - 11:30
Join Narberth & Swarthmore Boroughs and CCA for PA, July 26, 10 -11:30 am to discuss the progress of their CCA Implementation Plans.

Agenda:

Borough CCA and emissions reduction goals

Narberth and Swarthmore report on their CCA Implementation Plan progress

Projected CCA renewable energy supply for PA boroughs

CCA Projected borough benefits: .GHGe reduction, BIL/IRA Ed & outreach, Consumer protection…et al

Invitation to ‘explore CCA benefits for your borough

Timeline to Borough CCA adoption

Next action steps leading to CCA adoption

Farm to Table Buy Local Grower/Buyer Networking Event
2023-07-25 14:00 - 17:00 | David L Lawrence Convention Center
Presented by: Farm to Table and Sustainable Pittsburgh

This FREE event will help you create new business relationships with local buyers and resource providers will be onsite to help you grow your business.

Vendors can sample/sell products to prospective wholesale/ institutional buyers.

Attendees will include food service professionals, dietitians, wellness & health care providers, childcare providers, hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, corporate cafeterias and other institutional or wholesale buyers who are interested in buying from local farms/growers and food/beverage producers.

SCDN Policy Connection: Activating Municipal Sustainability Teams to Attract Funding
2023-07-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Presented by: Sustainable Pittsburgh

Event Description:

Recent federal programs authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are prioritizing applications submitted by “teams” to maximize the scope, reach and level of ambition of projects. In the same spirit, Pennsylvania’s proposed budget includes a significant increase to the Municipal Assistance Program which provides funding to local governments that advance intergovernmental approaches to community planning, transit studies, land use and other initiatives focused on sharing services across jurisdictional boundaries.

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh and guest speakers to explore resources for local governments to activate Municipal Sustainability Teams that can strengthen connections among non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, local businesses and other local governments to advance quality of life and accomplish community goals. We’ll also be joined by the Department of Community and Economic Development to cover the Municipal Assistance Program which provides funding to advance intergovernmental approaches to a variety of needs.

Guest Speakers:

Mark Hand, Director, Pennsylvania’s GreenGov Council

Christopher Nafe, Energy Program Specialist, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Programs Office

TBD, Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, Municipal Assistance Program Specialist

Download Speaker Bios

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Bridge to Equity: Social Determinants of Health
2023-07-13 08:00 - 10:00 | Fairmont Hotel, 510 Market St
Presented by: Pittsburgh Business Times

Join Pittsburgh Business Times for the first in a series of conversations examining how economic and social disparities, as well as a lack of equity available to those in communities populated by people of color, is manifesting in — and jeopardizing — various aspects of the region’s economy.

Youth Changemakers Conference
2023-06-29 00:00 - 2023-06-30 23:59
Presented by: NA for Change, University of Pittsburgh, and Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Unleash the potential of young leaders at the 2023 Pittsburgh Youth Changemakers Conference, where inspiration meets action. North Allegheny (NA) for Change, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, is excited to announce the first-ever Pittsburgh Youth Changemakers Conference on June 29-30, 2023. Join for a two-day transformative experience filled with dynamic workshops, inspiring speakers, and a network of like-minded visionaries ready to make a difference in Pittsburgh. We are also honored to welcome Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey for a keynote address.

Backyard Composting Webinar
2023-06-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Presented by: Pennsylvania Resources Council

This workshop thoroughly covers the importance and benefits of composting, the process, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance, and ways of using finished compost. Registrants may choose to purchase a FreeGarden EARTH compost bin with their workshop ticket. This bin has an 82-gallon capacity and is ideal for urban and suburban areas. Logistics for picking up purchased bins from PRC’s offices (Pittsburgh and Media) will be shared during the webinar.

Bridge to 2030 Educational Series
2023-06-20 04:30 - 06:30
Presented by: Green Building Alliance

The Bridge to 2030 educational series invites the public to dive into topics integral to 2030 District progress – building decarbonization, energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, and improving indoor air quality!

Advanced registration is required, and all details will be shared via email in the days leading up to the event.
