On September 9, the Green Building Alliance held its Emerald Evening to honor people and sustainability projects that have transformed communities across the region demonstrating the boldness of leadership and ingenuity of spirit.

Those recognized this year include--

-- Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, a long-time supporter of the Green Building Alliance

-- Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper, who helped launch the Erie 2030 District and other initiatives

-- Legacy Award: Michael Carnahan: As Vice President and General Manager at Scalo Solar Solutions, the late Mike Carnahan championed many large and innovative solar projects.  These included O’Hare Airport, Chatham University, Carnegie Science Center, and Mill 19 at Hazelwood Green.  Read more here.

In a December 2020 guest essay on TribLive, Carnahan said, “We all deserve to breathe healthy air, no matter where we live. Mill 19 and Hazelwood Green flip the switch for a new era of revitalization and help put Pittsburgh on the map for sustainable innovations.”

-- Luminary Award: Dr. Allison Robinson: As Program Director of the UPMC Environmental Initiatives Program, Dr. Robinson leverages incorporating environmental sustainability practices and procedures into system operations and services across the entire UPMC network.  Read more here.

-- Enterprise Award - EPIC Metals: Sustainability for EPIC Metals in Braddock began right from the very beginning.  Fifty-three years ago in 1968, Donald Landis, Founder of EPIC Metals and father of current President David Landis, purchased a trolley barn in Rankin (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania that was built in 1900 and recycled it into EPIC’s first manufacturing facility.  Read more here.

Through November 2020, solar panel installations at EPIC’s various manufacturing plants and home office have generated a combined total of 1,921,108 kWh of electricity.  This has created an estimated reduction of 2,035,940 pounds of CO2, and is the equivalent of planting 26,107 trees.

-- Beacon Award - Homewood Children’s Village: Homewood Village was recognized for its dedication to just and inclusive development, their commitment to work at the intersections of climate, equity, and health, and for supporting families and inspiring the youth in their community – especially during the past tumultuous year.  Read more here.

-- Vanguard Award - Highmark Health’s 5th Avenue Place and Penn Avenue Place: Highmark Health was recognized for their efforts to be sustainability stewards and leaders in our region by realizing that by protecting the environment, we can better nurture good personal health for all.  Read more here.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Green Building Alliance website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Alliance, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter and visit their YouTube Channel.  Click Here to support their work.

(Photos: Michael Carnahan and his company’s Hazelwood Green Solar Roof project.)

NewsClip:

-- NextPittsburgh: Why Is The Pittsburgh-Based Green Building Alliance Honoring A Steel Company?

[Posted: September 10, 2021]

9/13/2021