Sustainable Pittsburgh

National League of Cities - City Summit
2016-11-16 06:00 - 2016-11-19 21:00 (America/New_York) | David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Only once a year do local leaders – both elected and staff – have such a unique opportunity to come together and learn from experts and each other. The 2016 City Summit will give you plenty of opportunities to learn with NLC University seminars to build your technical and leadership skills, Mobile Workshops around Pittsburgh that showcase collaborative solutions to issues facing local government, and an abundance of conference workshop sessions spanning the topics most relevant to you and your community:

Economic Development
Technology and Data Uses for Cities
Sustainability
Leadership Relationships
Demographics
Transportation and Alternatives
Climate Change and Impacts on Cities
Cultural and Social Issues in the Community

But the value comes outside the educational sessions too. You’ll find some of your best ideas and connections through other conference activities:
Exposition Hall: Over 275 vendors will be on hand to introduce you to new products, services, and programs that may offer a perfect solution to your city or town. All it takes is one great idea.
Networking Events: Whether it’s the opening reception, closing gala, any of the Constituency Group events or State Municipal League receptions, there is no shortage of opportunities for you to meet and build relationships with other local leaders to exchange ideas at the conference and beyond. Or, use these events simply to strengthen your relationships with your own staff and colleagues outside the walls of City Hall.
Constituency Group Events: Many of these events are open to all attendees (though some require ticket purchase). Constituency groups provide a great opportunity to find a niche within NLC and meet others with common backgrounds or interests.
NLC Governance Activities and Meetings: City Summit is the culmination of NLC’s policy and governance work for the year. Get involved by attending a policy committee meeting and the annual business meeting to learn how you can have your say in NLC. After all, it’s your organization!

Funding Opportunities for Clean Vehicle & Equipment Acquisition under VW Settlement
2016-11-14 09:00 - 11:00 | SPC Conference Center, 4th Floor, Chatham II Center, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
~ Special Meeting of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Freight Forum ~
Most people have an understanding of the element of the “VW Settlement” that addresses the owners of affected vehicles, whereby Volkswagen will offer consumers a buyback and lease termination for nearly 500,000 model year 2009-2015 2.0 liter diesel vehicles sold or leased in the U.S., and spend up to $10.03 billion to compensate consumers under the program.
Few people realize that there is a second, public element to the settlement. Volkswagen AG and related entities have agreed to spend more than $4 billion to mitigate the pollution from these cars and invest in green vehicle technology.
Emissions Reduction Program: The settlement of the company’s Clean Air Act violations also requires Volkswagen to pay $2.7 billion to fund projects across the country that will reduce emissions of NOx where the 2.0 liter vehicles were, are or will be operated. Volkswagen will place the funds into a mitigation trust over three years, which will be administered by an independent trustee. Beneficiaries, which may include states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Indian tribes, may obtain funds for designated NOx reduction projects upon application to the Trustee. Funding for the designated projects is expected to fully mitigate the NOx these 2.0 liter vehicles have and will emit in excess of EPA and California standards.
This program will provide cash subsidies to public and private entities seeking to replace older vehicles, diesel locomotives, towboats and other heavy equipment. Cash subsidies may approach 100% in some cases for governmental and other public agencies. Pennsylvania’s share of these funds is expected to exceed $100 million.
Zero Emissions Technology Investments: The Clean Air Act settlement also requires VW to invest $2 billion toward improving infrastructure, access and education to support and advance zero emission vehicles. The investments will be made over 10 years, with $1.2 billion directed toward a national EPA-approved investment plan and $800 million directed toward a California-specific investment plan that will be approved by CARB. As part of developing the national plan, Volkswagen will solicit and consider input from interested states, cities, Indian tribes and federal agencies.
On November 14, 2016, SPC’s Freight Forum will bring in a regional expert on this program to discuss the public program elements of the VW Settlement and provide updates on program eligibility, application requirements and timeframe, and other information of use to potential applicants.

Cast Your Vote for the 2017 PA River of the Year
2016-11-14 07:00 - 2016-12-19 16:00
The public is invited to again vote online for the 2017 Pennsylvania River of the Year, choosing from among four waterways nominated across the state, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced today.

Waterways nominated for 2017 are the Allegheny River (Middle & Upper) and Brandywine, Loyalhanna and Perkiomen creeks.

Libations for Donations
2016-11-11 16:30 - 18:30 | Scratch F&B, 1720 Lowrie Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
On Friday 11/11, join Scratch F&B from 5:30-7:30pm to kick off the first Libations for Donations happy hour series to benefit 412 Food Rescue. Taking place over the next few months, these happy hours will be hosted by participating Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants in partnership with Wigle Whiskey in order to help combat food insecurity and reduce food waste in Pittsburgh.
For each specialty cocktail purchased during these happy hours, host restaurants will remit $1 to help prepare hot, fresh, healthy meals for local communities in need. Meals will be prepared by Chef Matt Petruna of Scratch F&B and distributed by 412 Food Rescue at the end of the series. In addition to prepared meals, value added products (i.e. tomato sauce) will be produced by chefs of Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants from excess “rescued” foods to provide recipients with means to supplement additional meals that can be prepared at home.
According to the USDA it takes $245.70 (moderate cost) to feed a family of four WELL and nutritiously for one week. With 21 meals per week, that averages about $12 for a meal for four. With ten Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants now onboard, Libations for Donations has a goal to feed at least 133 people a hot, fresh, healthy meal. In order to make that happen at least $400 needs to be raised. So, come on out, have a sip and a snack, and be part of something great!
For more information or to view the upcoming schedule of future Libations for Donations happy hours, visit http://sustainablepghrestaurants.org/site/libations-for-donations/

Poverty and Politics Lecture by Margaret Weir
2016-11-11 09:00 - 10:30 | Second Floor Lecture Room at the Twentieth Century Club, 4201 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
You are invited to a lecture by Margaret Weir, “The Uneven Development of the Shadow State: Organizational Support for the Poor in the Snowbelt and Sunbelt.” This event is presented as part of the Wherrett Lecture Series by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Metropolitan Studies and the Thornburgh Forum.
Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP for the event at CONNECT@pitt.edu.

Networking Reception & Post-Election Analysis Panel
2016-11-10 16:30 - 18:45 | Chatham University Shadyside Campus, Mellon Building, 1 Woodland Rd, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Join Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics in kicking off Thinking Bigger by getting to know center directors, Chatham faculty, speakers, and fellow attendees at the reception to set the tone for Thinking Bigger, followed by a Post-Election Analysis panel, featuring Abby Phillip of the Washington Post, Chris Potter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Christine Toretti of the Republican National Committee.

Inclusive Innovation Live
2016-11-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Point Park University Center, 414 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, United States
Join Mayor William Peduto, the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership on Thursday, November 10th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm for Inclusive Innovation Live. Celebrate PGH Lab, BetaBurgh and the 60+ Roadmap for Inclusive Innovation partners working towards making Pittsburgh a hub for technology and inclusive innovation.

Housing Summit
2016-11-10 11:00 - 2016-11-12 15:30 | University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh’s economic re-development has earned it the reputation as a “most livable city.” But growing numbers of residents ask, “livable for whom?” It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the reality of a growing divide between two Pittsburghs—one affluent, professional, and largely white, and the other low-income people with long-term roots in the region, largely people of color. Such patterns of growth, rising inequality, increased economic and racial segregation, and displacement of poor minority residents is the direct result of global level development processes. Globalized imperatives to promote markets and economic growth has exacerbated inequalities and divisions in cities around the world between elites and the people for whom the city is primarily a place to live and work. And around the world people are coming together to resist their displacement from their homes and communities.
The Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh is helping convene the Housing Summit as a space for residents to come together with organizers and experts from around the world to learn about and discuss the global and local forces affecting people’s access to affordable housing and the efforts to address them. A series of public lectures, panels, workshops, and cultural events will facilitate learning and networking aimed at highlighting this issue on the public and policy agenda while advancing new thinking and community organization that can help Pittsburgh residents realize their human right to housing.
Summit takes place at multiple locations at the University of Pittsburgh.

Housing Summit Luncheon Discussion with Dr. Mindy Thompson Fullilove
2016-11-10 11:00 - 12:30 | University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning, Room 2017, 4200 Fifth Avenue
Dr. Fullilove’s book Root Shock vividly describes the traumatic emotional reaction experienced by residents whose lives are disrupted by environmental devastation and urban development in their neighborhoods. Dr. Fullilove has conducted research in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, particularly on the impact of urban renewal on residents, including the bulldozing of the lower hill to build the Civic Arena. A new edition of Root Shock has been released.
Join the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, as part of Pitt Global Housing Summit, for a lively discussion with Dr. Fullilove and the following community and interdisciplinary panel:
Terri Baltimore: Vice President, Neighborhood Development, Hill House Association
Eva Simms: Professor, Psychology, Duquesne University
University of Pittsburgh Professors
Mrinalini Rajagopalan: Assistant Professor, History of Art and Architecture
Michael Glass: Urban Studies
Mary Ohmer: Associate Professor, School of Social Work
For more information on the Pitt Global Housing Summit, please see: housingsummitpgh.org. The luncheon and the summit are free of charge.
