The local nonprofit 3 Rivers Wet Weather is developing an online tool to help property owners decide where to place green infrastructure.
The online database will help anyone from residential property owners to municipal planners decide where their green infrastructure project would be most effective in reducing sewer overflow.
3 Rivers Wet Weather Executive Director John Schombert says one of the website’s tools will give private property owners a cost-benefit analysis for each site they’re considering.
“The value of the system also is that we will connect people to the marketplace so they can find the plants and the contractors and the designers, perhaps for more elaborate rain-gardens, that will help them develop their site,” says Schombert.
Schombert says the website will also include a more technical application to be used by municipal engineers for public green projects.
He says the region is very prone to sewer overflow, with overflow events happening about 75 times each year. Schombert says in some parts of the region, just one-tenth of an inch of rainfall can cause overflow.
“[For] half our recreational season, we show impacts in the rivers from wet weather overflows that affect recreation, and even potentially can affect water supplies.”
Schombert says the website will also serve as an overall document of the location and effectiveness of green infrastructure in the region. The online database is slated for completion by March of 2012.
Showing posts with label Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green. Show all posts
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, August 14, 2009
A Unique Diet Challenge
Using a vehicle as a necessity has an affect on a person's lifestyle, for better or worse. So Zipcar, a vehicle ride share program, decided to offer "low-car diet" to those willing to give up their car keys for a month. During this month, one must rely on transportation that is not their own vehicle, including biking, walking, using public transportation and when necessary, driving a Zipcar. In this second annual event, participants from various cities including Pittsburgh tried the challenge.
Louis Fineberg, also a Program Manager for Bike Pittsburgh, wanted to try it out. He says the program was difficult to follow through at times since owning a car is "outrageously convenient".
"Nothing is going to be as convenient," he says. "But before you know it, you just get used to it. It's like jumping in a pool. At first, it's a little cold. But once you're at it for awhile... it's comfortable."
Not to mention the money he saves on gas, since with a Zipcar a driver only pays a per hour rate. Fineberg says it's definitely something he could see himself doing for the long term for his six mile commute between Bloomfield and South Side.
Ed Harkins, a Marketing Manager from Zipcar, says some participants literally lose weight from this "diet". With people from all participating cities combined from last year, they walked 4,680 miles, biked 6,068 miles and drove Zipcars 1,044 times.
Scott Gibson, of Free Ride, says although it's not for everyone, everyone should at least consider using a bike more and driving a car less.
"Free Ride is a great place to start, particularly if you're a little intimidated by bike mechanics," Gibson says. "It can really demystify things a little bit."
For more information about the low-car diet, click here.
Louis Fineberg, also a Program Manager for Bike Pittsburgh, wanted to try it out. He says the program was difficult to follow through at times since owning a car is "outrageously convenient".
"Nothing is going to be as convenient," he says. "But before you know it, you just get used to it. It's like jumping in a pool. At first, it's a little cold. But once you're at it for awhile... it's comfortable."
Not to mention the money he saves on gas, since with a Zipcar a driver only pays a per hour rate. Fineberg says it's definitely something he could see himself doing for the long term for his six mile commute between Bloomfield and South Side.
Ed Harkins, a Marketing Manager from Zipcar, says some participants literally lose weight from this "diet". With people from all participating cities combined from last year, they walked 4,680 miles, biked 6,068 miles and drove Zipcars 1,044 times.
Scott Gibson, of Free Ride, says although it's not for everyone, everyone should at least consider using a bike more and driving a car less.
"Free Ride is a great place to start, particularly if you're a little intimidated by bike mechanics," Gibson says. "It can really demystify things a little bit."
For more information about the low-car diet, click here.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Clinton Speaks at Blogger Convention
Former United States President Bill Clinton delivered the keynote at a national liberal bloggers' convention tonight. President Clinton voiced his support for a health care overhaul and new initiatives for clean energy, while encouraging Netroots Nation members to continue being politically active. He says liberals, with the help of blogging, have become more powerful than they have in a long time, and could continue that trend for decades.
Clinton voiced his support for various congressional movements, including the "Cash for Clunkers" car program and the progressive health care initiatives. "Better than all the mechanisms of reorganizing the auto industry, Cash for Clunkers has worked great. We ought to put that on steroids when we can sell electric cars, and buy them," says Clinton.
Preceding the president were Netroots Nation contributors and a number of elected officials, including Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.
Clinton voiced his support for various congressional movements, including the "Cash for Clunkers" car program and the progressive health care initiatives. "Better than all the mechanisms of reorganizing the auto industry, Cash for Clunkers has worked great. We ought to put that on steroids when we can sell electric cars, and buy them," says Clinton.
Preceding the president were Netroots Nation contributors and a number of elected officials, including Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.
Green Group Says Energy Legislation Will Bring Jobs
Green movement group Clean Energy Works released a series of studies today in support of strong, national clean energy legislation. The studies say that as many as 72,000 clean energy jobs could be created in Pennsylvania alone by the American Clean Energy and Security Act recently passed by the House.
Nonprofit PennEnvironment also supports the legislation, and spokeswoman Erika Staaf says so do 71% of Americans polled. She says that more than half polled also want the Senate to act quickly on the bill. Staaf says despite the raging health care debate, she's confident the Senate will look at the bill after their hiatus.
Staaf says although the Clean Energy and Security Act is good, her group would like to strengthen its renewable energy provisions and be more strict when it comes to giving out cap-and-trade credits.
The studies, performed by Pew Charitable Trusts, Zogby International, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Green for All / the Natural Resouces Defense Council, agree that the clean energy jobs created by the legislation would help low-income Americans especially.
Nonprofit PennEnvironment also supports the legislation, and spokeswoman Erika Staaf says so do 71% of Americans polled. She says that more than half polled also want the Senate to act quickly on the bill. Staaf says despite the raging health care debate, she's confident the Senate will look at the bill after their hiatus.
Staaf says although the Clean Energy and Security Act is good, her group would like to strengthen its renewable energy provisions and be more strict when it comes to giving out cap-and-trade credits.
The studies, performed by Pew Charitable Trusts, Zogby International, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Green for All / the Natural Resouces Defense Council, agree that the clean energy jobs created by the legislation would help low-income Americans especially.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Airport Changes Lightbulbs
About 1,500 lights at Pittsburgh International Airport parking facilities will be changed from their older, less efficient models to Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, with help from an $800,000 state grant. Allegheny County Airport Authority spokeswoman Joanne Jenny says these new fixtures will cut down energy usage by 83%. Jenny says this translates to about $158,754 in annual savings, which she says will go toward matching the funds provided by the Pennsylvania Energy Department Developmental Authority. The Pennsylvania Office of the Governor reports that local firm Appalachian Lighting Systems will reap the benefits of 75 jobs to be created by the project.
Recycling Drop-Off Event
A recycling drive this Saturday may be convenient for those who go grocery shopping at Whole Foods Market. The Pennsylvania Resources Council, Abitibi and the city of Pittsburgh are merging their efforts in this no fee recycling collection. Sarah Alessio, a spokeswoman for the Resources Council, says it’s great for those who live in municipalities that don’t have curbside recycling, or for those who have been accumulating hard-to-recycle items.
These things include alkaline batteries, cell phones, ink cartridges and fluorescent light bulbs. Alessio says representatives from the Resources Council and Abitibi will be available to answer any additional recycling questions they may have.
This will be taking place at the Whole Foods Market in East Liberty from 10am to 2pm. Their address is at 5880 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh PA, 15206.
These things include alkaline batteries, cell phones, ink cartridges and fluorescent light bulbs. Alessio says representatives from the Resources Council and Abitibi will be available to answer any additional recycling questions they may have.
This will be taking place at the Whole Foods Market in East Liberty from 10am to 2pm. Their address is at 5880 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh PA, 15206.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Duquesne Lessens Carbon Emissions
Duquesne University has announced results of its second greenhouse gas emissions inventory, which says the school has reduced students’ individual carbon footprints by more than thirteen percent in 2008. 4.0 metric tons of emissions are released by each student annually, down from 4.6 per student in 2006. Native Energy of Vermont says the average American household emits 10.8 metric tons per year.
Duquesne professor and principal investigator of the study Stanley Kabala says compared with other schools of similar size and location, Duquesne is looking good. He says figures of those schools range from four metric tons of carbon released per year to over ten metric tons emitted annually.
Kabala says the decrease in emissions was in large part due to the university’s reliance on renewable energy generated on campus. Other contributing factors include regular maintenance of heating and cooling systems and sealing windows and doors of school facilities. Kabala says off-campus transportation to ball games and other extracurricular activities account for a large part of the university’s emissions. He says more energy saving ideas, like a shuttle bus to the South Side and on-campus solar panels, are up for consideration.
Duquesne professor and principal investigator of the study Stanley Kabala says compared with other schools of similar size and location, Duquesne is looking good. He says figures of those schools range from four metric tons of carbon released per year to over ten metric tons emitted annually.
Kabala says the decrease in emissions was in large part due to the university’s reliance on renewable energy generated on campus. Other contributing factors include regular maintenance of heating and cooling systems and sealing windows and doors of school facilities. Kabala says off-campus transportation to ball games and other extracurricular activities account for a large part of the university’s emissions. He says more energy saving ideas, like a shuttle bus to the South Side and on-campus solar panels, are up for consideration.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Unions Protest City's Development Strategies
Over 100 members of Pittsburgh’s service-sector unions held a sit-down protest outside Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s Grant Street office this morning, until police asked the group to leave. Representatives from local branches of the Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers, and the International Union of Operating Engineers demanded good jobs and green buildings at new development sites across the city.
SEIU of Western Pennsylvania Director Gabe Morgan says developments are okay, but good jobs are better. “It’s true that there are good construction jobs created in the city by development. But after the buildings are built, there are hundreds of service-sector workers in those buildings making poverty-level wages, normally, and often without any benefits,” says Morgan.
He says despite the recent bill regulating green buildings, the city needs to do more. "We’re a city trying to transform ourselves, the first industrial, former Rust Belt city trying to transform itself into a green city. If you’re going to get a public subsidy, the city should be promoting green jobs; it should be promoting green buildings. And that’s better not just for the environment… but for the city as a whole,” says Morgan.
The unions plan to return to the mayor’s office at 2:00 p.m. today to continue their protest.
SEIU of Western Pennsylvania Director Gabe Morgan says developments are okay, but good jobs are better. “It’s true that there are good construction jobs created in the city by development. But after the buildings are built, there are hundreds of service-sector workers in those buildings making poverty-level wages, normally, and often without any benefits,” says Morgan.
He says despite the recent bill regulating green buildings, the city needs to do more. "We’re a city trying to transform ourselves, the first industrial, former Rust Belt city trying to transform itself into a green city. If you’re going to get a public subsidy, the city should be promoting green jobs; it should be promoting green buildings. And that’s better not just for the environment… but for the city as a whole,” says Morgan.
The unions plan to return to the mayor’s office at 2:00 p.m. today to continue their protest.
Monday, December 29, 2008
"Green" Resolutions
The Pennsylvania Resources Council wants individuals to spring into the new year by doing "green" tasks in order to make an impact on the environment. There are several activities PRC recommends. PRC Regional Director Dave Mazza says the easiest thing a person can do to make a difference is to recycle at home and at work. Other things topping the list include conserving water with a rain barrel and cleaning up litter, either by participating in a scheduled event or taking a bag on a routine walk to collect trash. For more information, go to http://www.prc.org.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Green Jobs from $100 Billion Investment
A new report indicates that a $100 billion investment over 2 years in clean energy could create 2 million new jobs in the United States. The study was compiled by the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst for a group of labor and environmental groups including the United Steelworkers of America, the Clean Air Council, Sierra Club, PennFuture and PennEnvironment.
Bracken Hendricks of the Center for American Progress says the projected 2 million jobs are four times the amount created by a similar investment in the oil industry and 20% more than by a taxpayer rebate. Hendricks says they believe that Pennsylvania's economy would get a $4 billion infusion from such an investment and 86 thousand new jobs.
Joe Minott of the Clean Air Council says they propose the investment be in six green infrastructure priorities: retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency; expanding mass transit and freight rail; constructing "smart" electrical grid transmission systems; wind power; solar power; and, next generation biofuels.
Hendricks says there is a misconception that green jobs involve dislocation and retraining. He says the vast majority of the new jobs created would be the types already being done by millions of Americans: electricians, carpenters, machinists, mechanics, metal fabricators and software engineers.
Hendricks says old legacy industries like steel can benefit from investments in clean energy because it takes 26 tons of steel to build one windmill.
The environmental/labor coalition suggests the $100 billion could come from direct appropriations, tax credits. loan guarantees and mostly from auctioning carbon permits under a global warming cap and trade system.
Bracken Hendricks of the Center for American Progress says the projected 2 million jobs are four times the amount created by a similar investment in the oil industry and 20% more than by a taxpayer rebate. Hendricks says they believe that Pennsylvania's economy would get a $4 billion infusion from such an investment and 86 thousand new jobs.
Joe Minott of the Clean Air Council says they propose the investment be in six green infrastructure priorities: retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency; expanding mass transit and freight rail; constructing "smart" electrical grid transmission systems; wind power; solar power; and, next generation biofuels.
Hendricks says there is a misconception that green jobs involve dislocation and retraining. He says the vast majority of the new jobs created would be the types already being done by millions of Americans: electricians, carpenters, machinists, mechanics, metal fabricators and software engineers.
Hendricks says old legacy industries like steel can benefit from investments in clean energy because it takes 26 tons of steel to build one windmill.
The environmental/labor coalition suggests the $100 billion could come from direct appropriations, tax credits. loan guarantees and mostly from auctioning carbon permits under a global warming cap and trade system.
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