Pittsburgh is the second largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, in North Eastern United States. The city is known for its economic influence, especially its steel industry, but is also known for its robotics, financial services, technology, and health care. The city is also home to a number of major worldwide financial institutions, including Federated Investors, PNC Financial Services, and BNY Mellon. The city has also been listed by Forbes and The Economist as one of the “most livable” cities in the United States. Because of the factories, the city has been given a reputation as one of the most air-polluted cities in the United States. In an effort to turn this around, the city of Pittsburgh has been taking a number of steps to increase environmental sustainability and reduce climate change. Here are a few of the highlights of cleantech efforts throughout the city.

2 ) Carnegie Mellon University Green Report Card
Every year the Sustainable Endowments Institute comes up with the Green Report Card for universities located around the United States. In 2011, Carnegie Mellon, located in Pittsburgh, scored a B on the report card. The university received top marks for its programs regarding climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, and transportation. For example, all new buildings on campus must meet at least the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification standards. In another example, all students, staff, and faculty are provided with free public bus passes as well as a free shuttle service that takes individuals to locations off-campus. Both are provided in an effort to decrease the number of single drivers to the campus.

3 ) University of Pittsburgh Green Report Card
Much like Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh was also included in the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s 2011 Green Report Card and the university received a B-. While its climate and energy grade was a bit lower (but the university did just complete its very first carbon dioxide gas emissions inventory and started making waves in 2010 to become more energy efficient), the university did receive high marks for food and recycling, green building, student involvement, and transportation. For example, over 50 percent of all employees use environmentally preferable methods for transportation, including carpooling, bicycles, and public transport. Furthermore, there are a number of active environmentally-focused student groups throughout the campus that aid in creating and funding various sustainability-related projects.

4 ) Community Ball Field Lights
In recent years, the city has purchased more than two million kilowatt hours annually to light up all the sports fields. Starting in the year 2006, Pittsburgh started converting some of the lights in community ball parks to new fixtures that were more energy efficient. The city then installed a central control system in 2007 for the ball field lights. In the first year along, this project saved approximately 101 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

5 ) Traffic Signals and Street Lights
Pittsburgh did a study and saw that the traffic signals and streetlights, when combined are responsible for 25 percent of total energy consumption in the city. To change this up, in 2008, the city installed LEDs into all traffic signals, replacing traditional bulbs. In 2009, Pittsburgh started an energy efficiency streetlight pilot project to look into saving energy and money as well as improving light quality and public safety. It was a ten month pilot program where vendors donated LED lights to the South Side of the city. The results are being utilized to create a new program to change the street lights.

6 ) Green LEED Buildings
In the last few years, Pittsburgh has passed new green building legislations that would promote the building of green LEED certified buildings throughout the city, including a requirement that all developments that are publicly-financed for more than $2 million or more than 10,000 square feet need to get a minimum of LEED Silver certification. Currently, Pittsburgh is ranked as eighth in the entire nation in regards to total number of LEED certified buildings. Currently, there are more than 35 LEED certified buildings in the city, including the very first green convention center, green university dormitory, green radio station, green public arts facility, and green financial institution in the entire nation.

7 ) Home Energy Audits
There are a number of companies throughout the city that offer home energy audits to make homes much more energy efficient and greener. One such company is Vox Energy Solutions. This company provides home energy audits to see where homes can be made more energy efficient and then provide custom designs for wind, solar, and solar thermal systems that will offer years of energy savings for all homeowners.

8 ) Pittsburgh Renewable Energy Community Project
Created by ACTION-Housing Inc, Pittsburgh Renewable Energy Community Project provides a “community-scale approach to energy efficiency and the use of renewables while creating a mixed-income housing community of approximately 120 units in Pittsburgh.” The program uses the performance goals set up by the Department of Energy and utilizes partnerships with local universities and the green building community to aid in building homes that are affordable as well as carbon-neutral.

9 ) University of Pittsburgh Center for Energy
Centered at the University of Pittsburgh is the Center for Energy. Located in the Swanson School of Engineering, this center is, according to the website, “dedicated to improving energy technology development and sustainability, including energy efficiency, advanced materials for demanding energy technologies, carbon management, and energy diversification.” A number of initiatives currently going on at the Center for Energy include carbon dioxide sequestration and conversion, new sensors for more efficient fossil fuel plans, and novel technologies for harnessing solar energy.

10 ) Pittsburgh Opera Green Initiative
Doing its part to further promote environmental sustainability throughout the city, Pittsburgh Opera started a new green initiative with the primary focus that of obtaining LEED Operations and Maintenance Certification for the Opera’s newest headquarters along the Strip District in the city. It will be the oldest building in the entire city and the very first opera company throughout the United States seeking LEED Certification.

-Shawn Lesser

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He is also author of The 2012 Cleantech Directory. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Jon Dawson

Photo Credit: Flickr/Casqui (Luis Tamayo)

Boston isn’t just known for its history and colleges, but it is also known for its endeavor to instill the use of bikes throughout the entire city. Since the launch of the New Balance Hubway bike share program, more bikes can be seen riding throughout the Hub.

So, what exactly is this unique bike system? First launched on July 28, 2011 with 61 stations and 600 bicycles, the system provides people with accessible and green transportation. You can rent a bike near your home, the office or a friends place and bike to your next destination.

Three pricing options are provided; Annual, 3-Day or the 24-Hour membership for three seasons a year, as the program is not offered during the winter. In addition, bike rides less than 30 minutes are always free! 

According to the City of Boston’s Environmental & Energy Services E-Newsletter, the bike share program now has over 3,000 members and over 80,000 trips have been taken. The Boston Public Health Commission is also partnering with New Balance Hubway and offering a $5 subsidized annual membership for qualifying Boston residents. It doesn’t stop there; you also get a free helmet! 

Not only is this a great way to promote bicycling and a way to keep the environment clean and green, but it is a fun way to get from here to there, if you’re a Boston resident or tourist! For more information check out the website or stay up to date through Twitter or Facebook.

The cities were judged on their initiatives in nine categories: CO₂ emission reduction, energy, land use, architecture, transportation, water, waste, air and environmental governance.

Overall, San Francisco claimed the top spot with a sustainability score of 83.8, out of a possible 100 points. Vancouver, New York City, Seattle and Denver rounded out the top five, respectively, with Boston coming in sixth with 72.6 points.

The two areas where Boston particularly shined were energy use per person and water use per person, ranking second in both categories.

The findings of the U.S. and Canada report were similar to those found in the European and Asian version. Both reports found a correlation between how cities perform and their income. Wealthier cities can afford better projects—environmental or otherwise—and their well-financed departments tend to be manned by individuals with relevant experience to better oversee such projects.

“A lot of environmental performance in the U.S. is based on the individual actions of cities rather than a centrally regulated and monitored system,” says Andreas Georgoulias, a lecturer in the Department of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and member of the Green City Index’s expert panel.

The local regulating may explain why this correlation between income and green sustainability seems to be weaker in the U.S. and Canada than their neighbors overseas. Relatively low-income Vancouver ranks second, suggesting that other factors have a significant influence on the index’s results.

One possibility is the differences in environmental priorities, with Canadians more willing to invest in carbon emissions and energy use projects, while the U.S. focuses on water and air quality projects. The social mindset of the countries may also impact their eco-friendly performance.

In the U.S., environmental ambition is often tied to other public policy goals, such as economic development and poverty alleviation. Cities may see environmental sustainability as part of a more cohesive attempt to address a whole range of problems, suggests Mark Hughes, senior fellow at the PennDesign and T.C. Chan Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Therefore, lower-income cities will address environmental issues as part of a larger strategy to tackle other social issues.

U.S. coastal cities—Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle—performed particularly well in comparison to inland cities like Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis. Though the coastal cities are also some of the wealthiest, these results are a testament to how their local governments have successfully integrated environmental programs into broader development strategies to simultaneously revitalize their economies and make urban areas more livable.

The long-term decline in the manufacturing economy, which coastal cities once relied upon, has prompted the introduction of sustainability efforts to increase these cities’ competitive advantage in terms of jobs and economic growth.

The study puts forward the idea that the experience of more-successful cities indicates that the solution to low-performing cities’ initiatives must be a holistic one that includes a consideration of sustainability as an integral element from the beginning, rather than as something to be considered once the economy is back on track.

Click on the link to read the full Green City Index report.

Credit: gri.com

The wind turbine industry looks like the superhero of rural Oregon as residents of Sherman County rake in the “green”

Live in Sherman County, Oregon, and reap the benefits of big check at the end of every year – a $590 check, to be precise.

Why?

The nice bonus is what local residents receive as the windfall brought by the success of a growing wind energy industry in the area. Otherwise known as a region dominated by farms and agriculture, hundreds of 300-foot wind turbines now paint the skyline and generate electricity – and lots of cash.

According to the New York Times, “Sherman County, which earned $315,000 in property taxes from the first wind farm in 2002, raked in $3 million from wind farms in 2010. The bounty, while mostly flowing to the farmers who lease their land for the turbines, also benefits the public. Taxes, fees and assessments on more than 1,000 megawatts of wind turbine capacity have brought $17.5 million in nine years to a county with just 1,735 residents.”

That’s potentially $10,086 and some change per resident.

One example of how lucrative the wind turbine industry can potentially be are the McCulloughs’ – comprised to Kathy McCullough, a former commercial airline pilot, and her husband, Kevin – who spoke to the New York Times on the topic. Apparently, “The McCulloughs’ earn 4.1 percent of the gross revenue from 15 wind turbines on their property, or about $5,500 a year for each turbine. The payments increase over time, as land values inflated by the turbines decline with their age.”

In addition to the extra revenue, the wind turbines have meant more jobs for the community. A new bridge, library and two city hall have been erected with the money brought in, too.

Modeled after Alaska, where such dividends were once unique to, every Sherman County head of household who has owned property for more than a year qualifies to receive money.

Sounds like a good deal for those looking to ‘be green and make green,’ too.

- Kane Carpenter

Nissan Leaf Credit: Nissan

Eco-Friendly Cars May Revolutionize the Automobile Industry

President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address predicted a break from oil companies and a jump to one million electric vehicles on the road by 2015. Environmental experts agree that this feat is viable, especially with car companies fighting to provide consumers with more environmentally efficient cars. Some analysts have predicted gas prices will be rising to $5 a gallon this summer so the automobile revolution could not have arrived sooner. Regardless of whether America will reach that goal in a mere four years, Obama’s goal brings to light car companies’ new models that are pioneering the movement towards greener living.

Nissan Leaf
Recently awarded Global Mobile Awards 2011 prize for the “Best Mobile Innovation for Automotive and Transport” at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Nissan’s new electric car already closed reservations on the waiting list at 20,000 people. The Leaf combines efficiency and leisure with a solar powered spoiler, rearview monitor and Bluetooth capabilities. Parts of the Leaf are made with recycled material and the company hopes recycling companies will take note of this and contribute recyclable products for the cars. They are currently in the process of developing an EV battery, which will be in place prior to the car’s launch onto U.S. markets. Their website also allows interested buyers to sign up for updates about the development of second life batteries to prevent problems down the road. They have a list of cities that allows potential drivers to test out a new Nissan Leaf.

Credit: Chevy

Chevy Volt
Named Motor Trend Magazine’s 2011 Car of the Year, the Volt not only employed newer EV technology but also boasts an aerodynamic structure that further maximizes the distance per mile. A majority of drivers can go through a day without using gas and an average of $1.50 in electricity. While plugging in the Volt daily increases its productivity, this car also lasts weeks without being plugged in at all. Chevy also paid attention to developing the car’s ability to reach up to 100 mph in complete silence without the annoyance of internal combustion engine noises. They set themselves apart from Toyota’s Prius, because while a regular hybrid uses battery power only when stopped or while traveling at lower speeds, the Volt can travel extended distances in EV mode. Chevrolet allows buyers to request a quote online if interested in acquiring a Volt. 

Credit: Toyota

Toyota Prius Plug-In
In an attempt to catch up with both the Leaf and the Volt, Toyota introduces their Prius Plug-In as an option available in 2012. Still in the works, Toyota released few specifics about the car but promised affordability. They also claim the Prius Plug-In will provide 134 mpg. It will also be the first Toyota with a lithium-ion battery. While they have been taking steps towards more fuel-efficient cars in recent years, car experts have said Toyota isn’t coming close to hybrids or EVs anytime soon. 

Chrysler
While Chrysler has no plans to add a hybrid car for their line, they intend to make an electric alternative for all their cars. Chrysler hasn’t released any cars yet but prepare to develop the line between 2012 and 2015. They also anticipate 500,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2013. Although they scored last in the Consumer Report’s 2011 automaker report, Chrysler looks forward to their newest strategy for gaining attention amongst their competitors in the years to come. 

It’s important to pay attention to the details when buying a new electric or hybrid car. Although the Nissan Leaf claims it goes 100 miles on a charge, that’s solely in ideal conditions. Colder weather can shorten the battery life to around 65 miles. Nevertheless, when these novel cars begin hitting the roads, the potential for environmental change will increase significantly. Do your homework as you would for any purchase to determine what’s best for you. If you choose to go green you will be at the head of what could be an auto revolution.

In continuation of the “how to become an eco-participant” as posted yesterday, here are some great environmental organizations to join. We’ve listed our top choices, so good luck finding the right group for you! 

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• Greenpeace International
• Sierra Club
• National Audubon Society
• Friends of the Earth 

To learn more, click here for a list of other great eco-friendly groups. Also, make sure to check out the eco-organizations in your local community so you can have a more hands-on environmental experience.

If you’re someone looking to get more involved with the environment, you’re in luck. We put together a list of some great ways to become an eco-participant. There is no right or wrong way, so choose from the few suggestions we’ve provided below. Hopefully, this list will guide you in the green direction! 

1. Become a Member
Getting involved is easier than you might think. By getting online and searching “environmental organizations,” tons of options pop up. Most eco-organizations have a place for you to sign up and become a member by donating the amount of your choice. Joining a worthy organization will not only benefit you, but also the environment. It’s only a click away! 

2. Volunteer
If you don’t want to join a group, then volunteering is the way to go. Not only can you volunteer with an organization, but also at churches, schools, businesses or on the street you live. You don’t necessarily have to be part of a group. Go ahead and venture out yourself! Ask around if anyone needs help with recycling, eco-friendly landscaping or improving their green lifestyles. 

3. Stay Informed
Another great way to become an eco-participant is by staying informed. There is no better way to accomplish this than by reading the news. Keep up on important issues and ongoing events about the environment. The planet is constantly changing and by making sure you know what the issues are, you are one step closer to committing yourself to the environment. 

4. Take Action
Want a truly easy way to get involved? Take action at home! Recycle, buy organic goods, use solar energy and adapt to alternative forms of transportation. Just by walking to the store, using reusable grocery bags and turning off the water when brushing your teeth means you are an eco-participant! 

5. Form a Group
If you want take action and become a leader, form your own group. Create an organization about your eco-friendly passion such as recycling, wildlife, nature or oceans. You can even focus your group on all these things; the more the better. Forming a group is a great way to benefit the environment. 

Remember, these are only a few ways to get involved and there are many others are out there. We hope this inspires you to become greener. Good luck getting involved and becoming an eco-participant!

Forbes recently named the “most high-tech green buildings in the world.” Only 10 properties received this honor including:

1. The Milwaukee Art Museum Quadracci Pavilion
2. Eden Project
3. Port of Portland
4. SAP America headquarters
5. r128
6. The New York Times Co. headquarters
7. David Brower Center
8. Princess of Wales Conservatory
9. Chartwell School
10. Musée du quai Branly

One our favorites is Oregon’s Port of Portland new office building, which features Worrell Water Technologies’ Living Machine® system in its lobby. The Living Machine® technology is an innovative new approach to wastewater treatment and water reuse. It employs the natural ecological process of a tidal wetland, enhanced by environmental science and information technology. The water produced by a Living Machine® system is high-quality, clear water capable of being reused for a variety of functions including irrigation, toilet flushing, AC makeup, industrial processes, washing equipment or animal areas, filling landscape water features (i.e. fish ponds and fountains) and other such uses.

The Living Machine® in the lobby of the Port of Portland. The Living Machine® ecological water reuse system is an architectural centerpiece in the lobby of the new Port of Portland office building that is adjacent to the airport terminal building, greeting employees and the public as they enter the building to go to work or attend meetings.

According to Will Kirksey, executive vice president of Worrell Water Technologies, being recognized by Forbes is “. . . a great honor for the Port of Portland, architecture firm Zimmer Gunsul Frasca and Worrell Water Technologies. The Port of Portland building demonstrates that even large-scale commercial building design and development can be achieved with minimal impact by tapping into natural energy systems and using natural water processes.”

To view a slideshow of the other projects named by Forbes as the “most high-tech green buildings in the world,” click here.

Protecting the environment doesn’t have to be a chore. Below is a list of easy and fun ways to be green without breaking the bank.

1. The Lower the Better. Conserve your water. Begin by installing low-flow toilets and faucets with water-saving filters. These basic changes save both a great deal of water and money each month by reducing the number of gallons used per minute and per flush.
2. Fill It Up. Do full loads of laundry and dishes.  Maximizing the number of dishes and clothes washed during each and every load significantly reduces both your energy and water costs.
3. Take Shorter Showers. By limiting your daily shower to 10 minutes versus the standard 15, you can save eight gallons of water per day!
4. Catch the Rain. Installing rain barrels in the backyard is an effortless way to be green. The rain water collected in the barrel can be used for watering plants, washing the car, and many more outdoor chores and activities.
   

   Photo credit: www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com

5. Ditch the Plastic. Plastic water bottles are history. Approximately 2.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away every hour! Use a reusable water bottle instead like those offered by Nalgene, Sigg or Klean Kanteen.
6. Flip the Switch. Turn off lights when leaving a room.  Wasted energy can really add up when lights are left on in empty rooms.
7. Pull the Plug. Small electronics should be unplugged when not in use. Items such as computers, televisions, and hair dryers all draw residual power even when not turned on.
8. Look for Logos. When purchasing new appliances, choose ones that have the ENERGY STAR logo.  Appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR label are proven to save significantly more money and energy than standard ones.
   

   Photo credit: www.engerystar.gov

9. Light it Up. Replace common household light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) ones.  They last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and will save you an average of $30 over the bulb’s lifetime.
10. Don’t Touch that Dial. Keeping your hands off the thermostat can save both money and energy.  Recommended settings for optimal efficiency are 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter.
11. Clip It and Leave It. Leaving the grass clippings in the yard after each mow actually makes for a healthy lawn. The extra grass provides the soil with nutrients and keeps weeds from popping up as frequently.
12. Deck the Walls. When choosing a new color for the walls, use paint with low volatile organic compounds (VOC).  This type of paint provides better air quality and safer alternatives compared to those containing harsh solvents.
13. Support Your Local Farmers. Foods are shipped to large grocery chains from all over the world using gallons and gallons of fuel everyday.  Shopping for organic fruits and vegetables at your local markets is a great way to support community farmers while helping to protect the planet.
14. Fido Can Be Green Too. There are many great products available for pets that are created with the environment in mind. Molly Mutt, a California based company, offers everything from natural dog shampoo to a stylish line of eco-friendly dog bed duvets.  Combining comfort and functionality, these unique covers are machine washable, allowing owners to keep their dog beds longer and out of the landfills.
    

    Photo credit: www.MollyMutt.Com

15. Recycle! Recycling plastic bottles, cans, and paper waste at home is a cinch. Most residential trash collecting companies offer special bins to separate items to be recycled. You can even make it fun by having a monthly contest to see who in the family can recycle the most.
16. B.Y.O.B. Bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store saves countless paper and plastic bags from ending up in landfills and possibly polluting rivers and streams.  Personalized bags can be purchased online and most grocery stores also sell reusable bags to customers.
17. Front and Back Please. Printing on both sides of the paper can reduce the numbers of pages needed and thus shrinks the numbers of trees cut down.
18. Go Paperless. The average household throws away 13,000 separate pieces of paper each year. Paying bills online is a convenient way to eliminate stacks of paper waste and protects the environment at the same time.
19. Make it Hybrid. When trading in the car, consider buying a hybrid. These cool cars offer fantastic fuel economy, lower emissions and require little motor and battery maintenance. Also remember that routine maintenance on your car such as replacing air filters, monitoring tire pressure, and filling up the gas tank at night all greatly reduce your impact on the environment.
20. Bike It. Bike or walk to work or when running errands. Reducing your driving keeps pollution out of the air and offers you a great way to exercise at the same time.

The company is working with several leading equipment finance companies to offer attractive lease terms through a program that is one of five funding options presented by the ARB*.  The CARB regulation requires all refrigerated trailers and bobtail units that are more than seven years old and operate in California to be modified or replaced to reduce particulate matter emissions.  The Rypos DPF/LETRU and the Proventia FTF and Bobtail FTF, both exclusively distributed in North America by Rypos, enable TRU fleet owners to retrofit their fleets of Carrier and Thermo King TRUs.

“Rypos continues to reach out to TRU owners to help them meet the CARB regulations as cost-effectively as possible,” says Peter Bransfield, CEO, Rypos Inc. “We continue to provide the most cost-effective and reliable solution for the community to comply with the CARB regulations.”

The Rypos DPF/LETRU is a highly effective self-cleaning diesel exhaust filter that uses an electrically conductive sintered metal fiber medium and electrical power from the TRU to regenerate the filter when needed. The Proventia FTF and the Proventia Bobtail FTF are both passive flow-through filters that use engine exhaust temperature to regenerate the filters.  Either option can generally be installed in less than two hours and provide the full seven years of compliance. Filter kits for most TRU models are available for immediate delivery and can be ordered by calling 800-609-4021 or emailing dgd@rypos.com.

RYPOS TRU Active Diesel Particulate Filter, Photo Credit: RYPOS

RYPOS Inc. is a privately held company with operations in Holliston, Mass., and Santa Ana, Calif. The company’s leading edge products for diesel exhaust filtration utilize patented electrical regeneration strategy and technology.  The flexible and scalable designs have applications in on-road, off-road, stationary, and marine markets.

*In the memo dated 8/6/09, the ARB states that they do not endorse or recommend any of the funding options. The list is offered simply as a service to the TRU community.

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