On August 9, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority announced it would be committing to the purchase of wind power and the use of clean energy to support the production and operations of water services.

The PWSA board approved an amendment to a 2021 agreement with Direct Energy and NRG as part of a region-wide energy cost and consumption reduction program with the Western PA Energy Consortium. 

Under this amendment, WPEC has committed to purchasing 61,320 MWhs of wind power annually, accounting for approximately 40% of the group's total load. PWSA holds the largest share at 30% of the total, underlining our strong commitment to sustainable energy practices.

“It takes vast amounts of energy to pump and filter water throughout Pittsburgh, and by committing to this portion of wind generated power, PWSA will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of removing 3,000 gasoline powered cars off the road each year,” said James J. Stitt, PWSA Sustainability Manager.

This amendment underscores PWSA's mission to protect the environment and aligns with the goals outlined in the City of Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, including achieving full carbon-neutrality by 2050 and procuring 100% renewable electricity for all purchased energy by 2030.

Additionally, this agreement further safeguards the region’s energy needs by providing a long-term hedge against rising energy prices.

Committed to fostering sustainable practices, PWSA has been an active participant in WPEC's clean energy initiatives since 2008.

To advance its renewable energy goals, WPEC, in collaboration with PWSA, initiated this amendment to the original Direct Energy Agreement. The main goal is to align the contract term end date from 2026 to 2029 to meet the requirements of the Wind Energy supplier that is part of our regional electricity grid network.

The WPEC combines energy and clean energy purchases in bulk for its members, including the City of Pittsburgh, PWSA, the Sports and Exhibition Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and prominent nonprofits like the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

Collaboratively, these entities work towards a greener and more energy-efficient community.

"We are proud of our ongoing partnership with WPEC and its member organizations on this transformative journey towards clean energy," said Will Pickering, PWSA Chief Executive Officer. "This amendment brings us closer to our clean energy goals, while also promoting a sustainable and resilient future for our customers and the City of Pittsburgh."

PWSA remains committed to its role as a responsible steward of the environment and will continue to collaborate with WPEC and other partners to make significant strides in reducing carbon emissions and fostering a greener future for generations to come.

Visit the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority website for more information.

NewsClips This Week - Clean Energy:

-- Beaver County Times: Solar Innovation Is Coming To Beaver County - By Daniel Rossi-Keen

-- Altoona Mirror: Logan Township Drafts Solar Array Ordinance

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Is Investing In Wind Energy

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Water Authority Commits To Purchasing More Wind Energy

-- TribLive: Sustainable Pittsburgh Selected For Clean Energy Workforce Initiative

-- Duquesne Light Company: A Clean Energy Future Starts With A Skilled Workforce

-- The Guardian: They Got Jobs In Solar Industry, But The Reality Was Less Sunny Than They Expected

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Participation In RGGI Has Been Held Up For More Than A Year, What Has The State Lost?

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: By Stalling On RGGI, Here’s What Pennsylvania Residents Are Missing - By Joseph Minott, Clean Air Council

-- The Allegheny Front: New Book Looks To Climate Resilience To Ensure No One Gets Left Behind

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: What Can One Person Do About Climate Change?  Part I: Start At Home

-- Inquirer: Philly To Replace Every Street Light [130,000] With LED Lights Over Next 2 Years

-- WHYY: Philly Starts Replacing Its Street Lights With More Efficient LEDs

-- TribLive: Hardware, Electrical Stores Adapt To Federal Ban On Selling Incandescent Light Bulbs

-- WHYY: PA’s Whole-Home Repairs Money In Limbo Despite Shapiro’s Budget Signature

-- City & State PA: Whole-Home Repairs Program Is Remaking The Housing Landscape

-- Utility Dive: PJM, MISO, Other Grid Operators Warn Of ‘Significant Power Shortages’ From Epa’s Power Plant Carbon Rule

-- Utility Dive: Constellation Energy CEO ‘Disappointed’ To See Peers Opposing EPA’s Power Plant Carbon Rule

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: CONSOL Shifts Coal Business To Exports As Domestic Power Plant Business Declines

-- TribLive Guest Essay: As Climate Change Becomes Harder To Ignore, Proposed EPA Power Plant Standards Give Hope - PennEnvironment

-- Warren Times: 4 Factors Driving 2023’s Extreme Heat And Climate Disasters

-- Bloomberg: Texas Electric Grid Holds Up - Hottest Days Cannot Be Met By Natural Gas, Coal, Nuclear Alone, Renewables Have Kept Comfortable Buffer In Place

Related Articles This Week - Clean Energy:

-- The Nature Conservancy-PA: Bipartisan Poll Finds Broad Support In PA For Clean Energy Transition  [PaEN]

-- PA Solar Center Hosts Aug. 18 PA Renewable Energy Policy Webinar - Time To Take Action  [PaEN]

-- On Demand: ReImagine Appalachia, Partners: Solar-Powered Faith Communities And Houses Of Worship, Saving Money And Ethical Labor  [PaEN]

-- Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority To Buy More Wind Energy From Western PA Energy Consortium  [PaEN]

-- PA League Of Women Voters, Food & Water Watch Launch Letter-Writing Campaign Opposing Hydrogen Hubs In PA  [PaEN]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light, Jewish Earth Alliance Aug. 16 Webinar: Why Should We Care About, Advocate For A Climate-Friendly Federal Farm Bill?  [PaEN]

-- PA-Based Evangelical Environmental Network: Over 51,000 Christians Call For Stronger Standards On Fossil Fuel Power Plants  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection, Other Grid Operators Express Concerns Proposed EPA Power Plant Rule Will Accelerate Retirements Of Fossil Fuel Plants Without Reliable Renewable, Storage Technologies To Replace Them  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 9, 2023]

8/14/2023