June 26, 2015
Sustainable Pittsburgh


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Over 150 people are committed to a more Sustainable Pittsburgh region. Join them by taking the "I Am Sustainable Pittsburgh" Pledge today! sustainablepittsburgh.org/iam

Events
Save the Date! Green Workplace Challenge Workshop #8
"Renewable and Alternative Energy"


OpenStreetsPGH

You're Invited: Healthier Allegheny (PHA) Community Open Houses

Greening Fields and Facilities – Allegheny County Success Stories

At a Moment’s Notice: Rail Transportation Emergencies, Community Response and Health

Register Today! Living Product Expo and Conference








Welcome, Heinz Interns!

Sustainable Pittsburgh is pleased to welcome The Heinz Endowments Summer Youth Philanthropy Interns to our offices this summer--and through their work, we are announcing a special grant opportunity, "Bring Youth Outdoors."

The Heinz Endowments Summer Youth Philanthropy Internship Program provides high school seniors in the Pittsburgh area an opportunity to work to improve their community by developing and implementing a youth philanthropy project. This group of bright students will be based at Sustainable Pittsburgh's offices through mid-August. We asked them to share where they are going to school this fall and what they’re studying.

In the photo, from left to right, we have:
- Marcus McGinniss: University of South Carolina - International Business
- Liz Vargo: Georgetown University - International Economics
- Anna Fireman: Brown University - Business, Entrepreneurship, and Organizations
- Emanule Cargile: Community College of Allegheny County - Biology and Education
- Paige Golden: Clarion University - Psychology

Grant Opportunity:

These Interns, working in collaboration with Sustainable Pittsburgh and Local Government Academy, have focused their grantmaking project on bringing youth outdoors through stewardship of community green spaces.

“Bring Youth Outdoors” aims to help municipalities create positive experiences for youth outdoors through educational workshops, recreation, and volunteering. By getting outdoors, youth are exposed to health benefits of outdoor time as well as greater awareness and appreciation of their community.

The request for proposals* will be available at heinz.org/youthphilanthropy this weekend. For more details, please contact the interns at evargo@heinzinterns.org.
*Eligible are municipalities that have earned or pledged to earn the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification.

Welcome aboard, Marcus, Liz, Anna, Manny, and Paige!


Connect with Sustainable Pittsburgh:
Sustainable Pittsburgh welcomes your support:

Resources
Calculating your renewable energy potential? There's an app for that

Port Authority Launches Interactive Map

Help Wanted: Communications Director

PublicSource holds panel on crude-by-rail dangers in Pittsburgh

For Cities, Big-Box Stores Are Becoming Even More of a Terrible Deal

Pittsburgh's Plan to Promote Diversity and In-Migration







Save the Date! Green Workplace Challenge Workshop #8
"Renewable and Alternative Energy"

Thursday, July 30
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd., Oakdale 15071
Details forthcoming!
More information about the Green Workplace Challenge

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh for the 8th workshop of the 2014-2015 Green Workplace Challenge (GWC). The GWC is a yearlong competition for employers in southwestern Pennsylvania to track and measure performance in energy, water, waste, and transportation. The July workshop focuses on renewable and alternative energies. Attendees need not be participants in the challenge.

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OpenStreetsPGH

Sunday, June 28
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
From Market Square to Penn Avenue downtown, through the Strip, all the way to Lawrenceville's business district
More information

OpenStreetsPGH is part of a movement called Ciclovia, which includes 100s of cities across the globe. OpenStreetsPGH is also a group of businesses, neighbors, non-profits, and others who want to help Pittsburgh be the healthiest, most active, and happiest city it can be. During the June OpenStreetsPGH event, 3.5 miles of neighborhoods and streets will be open. Activities include yoga, dancing, shopping, children's activities, running, and lounging.

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You're Invited: Healthier Allegheny (PHA) Community Open Houses

Tuesday, July 7
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Baierl Family YMCA, 2565 Nicholson Road, Sewickley 15143
(724) 934-9622

Monday, July 27
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Thelma Lovette YMCA, 2114 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh 15219
(412) 315-0990

View flyer for details and locations.
If you require special accommodations or more information, contact our policy advisor, Casey Monroe, at (412) 578-8364 or via email: cmonroe@achd.net.

With the help of hundreds of Allegheny County residents and collaboration of the Advisory Coalition, the Allegheny County Health Department is proud to share its "Plan For A Healthier Allegheny (PHA)" with you. This is a five-year roadmap to improve this region’s health.

Come celebrate and learn how the Plan benefits Allegheny County residents. The Plan focuses on healthcare access, chronic disease health risk behaviors, maternal and child health, the environment, and mental health and substance abuse. The celebration includes a health fair, data tools demonstration, and an update on our community health planning!

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Greening Fields and Facilities – Allegheny County Success Stories

Friday, July 17
8:30 am – 12:30 pm (8:00 am registration)
South Park Golf Course, E. Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Cost: $20 (Or $35 for both July 17 and July 30 programs. See next event listing for July 30 program details. Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund (MPLSF) communities are eligible for a 50-percent discount for this event.)
A Sustainable Development Academy program of Local Government Academy and Sustainable Pittsburgh
More Details and Registration via the Local Government Academy

This program features David Brown, ScD of Environment and Human Health Inc., a national non-profit that studies human health and environmental hazards. Dr. Brown will discuss the broad range of toxins in our environment. His information and local examples of successful efforts to reduce pollution, will prepare participants to better identify the environmental and health needs and opportunities in their own communities. Dr. Brown’s remarks are part of a broader workshop intended to get participants out of the classroom to see solutions in use by local communities.

“Greening Fields and Facilities” will focus on day-to-day operations in recreational areas and public buildings. One of the teachers is a goat from Steel City Grazers – a first! Attend this program to learn about how Allegheny County’s South Park Golf Course makes compost tea to care for the greens, how to manage invasive plant species and weeds without herbicides and how green cleaning and recycling make public facilities and events healthier for everyone.

Additional speakers include:
David Carter, South Park Golf Course
Carrie Pavlik, Steel City Grazers
Kathy Hrabovsky, Allegheny County Sustainable manager
Michelle Smith, University of Pittsburgh
Chelsea Holmes, Women for a Healthy Environment

“Greening Fields and Facilities – Allegheny County Success Stories” is one of two sessions addressing common concerns in local government of protecting local residents from pollution and environmental health risks and identifying opportunities for public safety and reduction of environmental impacts. The sessions are titled collectively as Local Communities/Healthy Communities.

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At a Moment’s Notice: Rail Transportation Emergencies, Community Response and Health

Thursday, July 30
9:00 am - 12:30 pm (Registration is at 8:30 am. Please arrive early to allow time for security sign-in to the building.)
Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center, 400 N. Lexington St., Office 200, Pittsburgh 15208
Cost: $25 (Michael P. Lynch Scholarship Fund (MPLSF) communities are eligible for a 50-percent discount for this event.)
A Sustainable Development Academy program of Local Government Academy and Sustainable Pittsburgh
More Details and Registration via the Local Government Academy

Increases in rail traffic have resulted in increased concerns about the risk of and response to tanker-car derailments and spills. Several high profile accidents have residents and local officials alike giving new scrutiny to the cargo on the trains that have run through their communities for generations. What commodities are moving through our region on the extensive network of rail lines located here? What should communities do before finding themselves in an urgent situation? What is the range of situations for which they should be preparing? What are the protocols when emergencies occur?

This program will discuss how local, state and national agencies are preparing and responding to rail accidents. Additionally presenters will review the potential long-term health and environmental consequences of rail accidents, and the responsibilities for avoiding, addressing and mitigating environmental damage.

Speakers include:
Alvin Henderson Jr., Chief Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services
Robert Full, Chief Deputy Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
Timothy Solobay, Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner
Joseph Taylor, Hazardous Materials Compliance Officer, Norfolk Southern

This is the second of two sessions addressing common concerns in local government of protecting local residents from pollution and environmental health risks and identifying opportunities for public safety and reduction of environmental impacts. The sessions are titled collectively as Local Communities/Healthy Communities.

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Register Today! Living Product Expo and Conference

September 16-18, 2015
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Cost:Living Future Members $620, Non-Members $820 (Full Three Day Pass)
www.livingproductexpo.org/

The Living Product Challenge re-imagines the design and manufacture of products to function as elegantly and efficiently as anything found in the natural world. Living Products are informed by biomimicry and biophilia; manufactured by processes powered only by renewable energy and within the water balance of the places they are made.

Join the Living Futures Institute for the inaugural Living Product Expo in Pittsburgh, PA. The Expo is a groundbreaking new event that will bring together leading minds in the product industry and ignite a revolution in the way materials are designed, manufactured and delivered.

Featured speakers:
Professor Vivian Loftness, Former Head of the School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University
John Warner, President The Warner Babcock Institute For Green Chemistry
Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute

Who should attend?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) managers, sustainability directors, business leaders, product designers, industrial engineers, professors, and students.

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Resources
Calculating your renewable energy potential? There's an app for that

The Global Atlas pocket was launched Tuesday by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and is designed to allow renewable energy "prospectors" and investors to comprehensively research projects before making early investment decisions.

More
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Port Authority Launches Interactive Map

The map allows users to view all routes, transit stops, park and ride facilities, locations where you can purchase ConnectCards and other useful information.

Clicking on any feature opens a pop-up window of information with relevant links. This will help riders identify fare and zone information, view the path of any bus and light-rail route, find a bus or T stop, and link to schedules.

More

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Help Wanted: Communications Director

Green Building Alliance (GBA) is currently seeking a Communications Director. This position has direct responsibility for the successful planning, oversight, and implementation of all GBA communication outlets.

GBA is a nonprofit organization that inspires and proves the value of healthy, high-performing places for everyone, while equipping stakeholders with the tools to build them.  GBA’s educational and networking programs are designed to provide maximum benefit to audience members by exploring green building technical details, as well as the green building marketplace, opportunities, and advancements in this ever-changing industry.

Interested individuals should send a cover letter, resume, and samples of communications or promotional materials from past programs or campaigns by Friday, July 10th to hr@gbapgh.org. No phone calls please.

More
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PublicSource holds panel on crude-by-rail dangers in Pittsburgh

Experts bring concerns, but also talk about what citizens can do to speak out and to be prepared.

More
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For Cities, Big-Box Stores Are Becoming Even More of a Terrible Deal

In February, the library in Marquette, Mich., announced that it was cutting its hours. It wasn’t that its Sunday programming was any less popular, or that it had gotten the short end of the stick in next year’s budget planning. Instead, thanks to a new method that big-box stores are using to game the tax system, Marquette Township owed a $755,828.71 tax refund to the home improvement chain Lowe’s. Essential services like the library, the school district, and the fire department were on the hook to pay for it.
The Peter White Public Library would now be closed on Sundays.
Marquette has been hit hard by a tactic that the country’s biggest retailers are using to slash their property taxes. Known as the “dark store” method, it exemplifies the systematic way that these chains extract money from local governments. It’s also the latest example of the way that, even as local governments across the country continue to bend over backwards to attract and accommodate big-box development, these stores are consistently a terrible deal for the towns and cities where they locate.

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Pittsburgh's Plan to Promote Diversity and In-Migration

Luke Nozicka reports on a plan released by the administration of Mayor Bill Peduto to increase the diversity and immigrant population of the city of Pittsburgh.

"The plan, released Monday, consists of three parts: Welcome, Neighbor!, which focuses on citizenship, learning and teaching about diverse communities; Bridge to the City, which is to help with policy and services; and Prospering Together, which aims to create more jobs for immigrants," explains Luke Nozicka.

The article includes an embedded version of the entire plan, which comprises 37 strategies to be implemented on a five-year timeline.

More
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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 2015 from:

Alcoa Foundation
Bayer USA Foundation
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
BNY Mellon
FedEx Ground
The Heinz Endowments
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Henry L. Hillman Foundation
Levin Furniture
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Pashek Associates, LTD
PITT OHIO
The PNC Financial Services Group
UPMC


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
307 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1500
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP