On December 20, the Green Building Alliance invites New Kensington-area commercial property and business owners, and community leaders to a listening session on energy efficiency and cost savings, and a Launch Party celebrating the establishment of the New Kensington 2030 District December 4 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Digital Foundry in Westmoreland County.

During this session, GBA staff will engage with local businesses and building owners to learn about existing needs and share details on the services and support offered through the 2030 District program at no cost to partners.

These include technical assistance and guidance to help building owners and operators monitor and understand their energy use; identify opportunities and steps to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy demand and utility costs; support in identifying potential sources of funding; and helping individual properties and the community make New Kensington’s buildings healthier, more efficient, and resilient to weather events.

The evening will include an opportunity to learn about the 2030 District program, meet GBA staff and share food and drinks. 

Click Here to register and for more information. Questions should be directed to Tobias Chan, tobiasc@gbapgh.org.

Background

This project represents an expansion of the Pittsburgh 2030 District, a project of the Green Building Alliance, which comprises property partners representing more than 540 buildings occupying more than 86 million square feet.

They include a variety of sectors and building types, including office towers, hospitals, hotels, multifamily residential buildings, universities, professional sports facilities, museums, municipal offices and facilities, and K-12 schools today .

In 2023, Pittsburgh 2030 District Property Partners achieved a 22.3% reduction in energy usage in 2023, reflecting a savings of $60.5 million in energy utility costs, and a 39.4% reduction in water usage.

The District also reached a 48.0% reduction in carbon emissions in 2023, or 507,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions avoided. 

This achievement moves the District closer to its target goal of 50-65% reduction in carbon emissions by the 2030 deadline, with the District continuing to pursue zero carbon emissions by 2040. 

The built environment accounts for approximately 37% of global CO2 emissions and 40% of all U. S. primary energy use. 

More information at  Pittsburgh 2023 Progress Report.

To learn more about built environment conservation, visit the Green Building Alliance website.

Visit the 2030 Districts Network website to learn more about this program.  In Pennsylvania there three 2030 Districts:  Erie 2030 District,  Pittsburgh 2030 District and a Philadelphia 2030 District.

Resource Links:

-- Pittsburgh 2030 District Reports Gains Toward Energy, Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals [PaEN]

-- Erie 2030 District Announces $4.2 Million In Energy Savings; Emissions; Energy Demand Reductions In 2023  [PaEN]

Related Articles:

-- DEP: Some Guidance Now Available To Apply For $396 Million In RISE PA Industrial Decarbonization Grants; Application Period Opens Early In 2025  [PaEN]

-- Dickinson College To Host Atmospheric Scientist Katharine Hayhoe To Discuss Finding Hope In The Face Of Climate Change During Public Talk Dec. 4  [PaEN]

-- PUC To Host Nov. 25 Technical Conference On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania  [PaEN] 

-- PA Solar Center, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services Release New Guidebook For PA Municipalities On Development Of Large-Scale Solar Facilities; Nov. 22 Webinar  [PaEN]

-- Green Building Alliance Invites New Kensington Commercial Property, Business Owners To 2030 District Launch and Energy Efficiency Info Session Dec. 4 In Westmoreland County  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Will Fight Preliminary FERC Permit Granted For Proposed Susquehanna River Pump Storage Hydroelectric Project In York County  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- TribLive Guest Essay: My School District Saved Over A Million Dollars In Energy Costs By Going Solar, With Solar For Schools Your District Could Be Next - By Carlisle Area School District

-- Altoona Mirror: Central Cambria School District Considering Solar Energy To Save Up to $500,000 Over Next 25 Years

-- Centre Daily Times: Centre County Solar Energy Facility Takes Big Step Forward As State College Area School District Commits To Project

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Eaton Rolls Out New Energy Storage Battery System

-- Utility Dive: State Ratepayer Advocates Press FERC For PJM Capacity Market Changes, Citing ‘Crushing’ Prices [Not PA’s Consumer Advocate]

-- Financial Times: Restart Of Three Mile Island Tests US Appetite For Nuclear Revival

-- Utility Dive: Ohio Consumer Counsel Urges FERC To Shield Utility Customers From Expected Grid Costs Due To 1.5 GW Amazon Data Center

-- Reuters: Data-Center Reliance On Fossil Fuels May Delay Clean Energy Transition

-- WPost: AI’s Hunger For Electric Power Is Threatening US Climate Goals

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Court Rules Virginia’s Removal From Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Was ‘Unlawful’

-- AP: Ukraine Has Seen Success In Building Clean Energy, Which Is Harder For Russia To Destroy

[Posted: November 21, 2024]

11/25/2024