2009 EVENTS

Actions for Businesses: Resources to Reduce Energy Use, Costs, and Climate Impacts

Road to Sustainability

The Summer's Hot Business Topic: A Discussion of Energy Policy and The American Clean Energy and Security Act

Corporate Sustainability Charrette

Actions for Businesses: Resources to Reduce Energy Use, Costs, and Climate Impacts

Presented by: The Business Climate Coalition (BCC) and C4S

Thursday, October 29, 2009
4:30 – 7:30 pm
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
2425 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222    
Strip District
Click here for directions

On October 29, 2009, Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Champions for Sustainability (C4S) network and the Business Climate Coalition (BCC) of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative hosted Actions for Businesses: Resources to Reduce Energy Use, Costs, and Climate Impacts at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.  The focus of this event was on what businesses can do to realize energy and cost savings.  The event brought together resources and stakeholders that can assist businesses with the implementation of energy management programs and policies.  Approximately 65 people attended, representing a mix of energy consultants, consumer-oriented businesses, manufacturers, engineering firms, and energy supplier firms as well as a range of local nonprofit and government organizations.

This event was a follow up to the BCC event held in July 2009 involving a discussion of local businesses on energy policy and The American Clean Energy and Security Act. 

Janice Donatelli, owner and co-founder of Artemis Environmental Building Materials, a local company based in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville community, welcomed attendees to the event and was moderator of the first panel.  Artemis displays and sells high-quality, environmentally responsible, “green” building products.

Janice highlighted the opportunities businesses have through the plethora of programs and resources available to assist with energy reduction.  She encouraged business attendees to take action and establish leadership roles in the development of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s long-term economic and environmental prosperity.

The evening’s first program element featured case studies where panelists shared both positive and negative experiences they faced while instituting energy reduction projects to become more socially responsible businesses.  Each case study was presented from both the operations and design perspectives to enable attendees to understand why these changes are necessary and how they helped the businesses improve their every day operations.  The case study panelists were:

• Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters and Evolve EA
  • Shawn Fertitta, Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Program Administrator/Facility Manager, Pittsburgh Opera
  • Dave Deal, LEED AP, evolve environment::architecture
    
• Regional Enterprise Tower and Constellation Energy
  • Jim Hassinger, President CEO, Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation Click here for presentation
  • Greg Lok, Director of Project Development, Constellation Energy

The panel agreed that energy efficiency is first and foremost the most accessible way to reduce costs and energy usage.  They stressed the importance of their businesses being able to measure their usage to track their reduction achievements and highlight areas of improvement. 

At the end of the two case studies presentations, event organizers introduced the resources panel, which shared insights about successful programs that assist businesses with energy management:

• Business opportunities through PA ACT 129: Dave Defide, Program Manager, Duquesne Light
• Energy Procurement and Demand Response Programs: Carolyn Pengidore, CEO, Clearchoice Energy Click here for presentation
• Portfolio Manager: The Key to Measuring Progress: Eric Carlson, WV EPA Congressional/State Liaison, U.S. EPA Region III Click here for presentation
• Return on Investment, Energy Efficiency, and Auditing:
  • Tim Carryer, Director, Diagnostic Energy Auditor’s Association of Western Pennsylvania
  • Chuck Watson, Director, EnergyChaser
  • Greg Wozniak, G. A. Wozniak & Associates
• State energy grants for businesses: Andrew Place, Special Assistant for Energy and Climate Change, PA Department of Environmental Protection Click here for presentation

The panel was moderated by Nagaraj Sivasubramaniam, Associate Professor, Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University.  The panel agreed with the case study panelists about the importance and opportunity there is for a business when energy use is measured.   Panelists also acknowledged that now is the time for businesses to take advantage of both the state and federal funding incentives to implement energy management programs and policies within their organizations.

The panel also discussed:

• Duquesne Light’s conservation programs and reduction percentages for the business, municipal and residential sectors mandated under Act 129:
• Duquesne Light energy consumption reductions must total 140,855 MWh by March 31, 2011 and 422,565 MWh by May 31, 2010.
• Peak demand reductions of 113 MW must occur by May 31, 2013.
• Must institute conservation programs for customers to reduce energy and costs.
• Funding opportunities for businesses on the local, state and federal levels.
• Policy programs on the state and federal levels.
• Requirement of Energy Distribution Companies to develop and receive approval from Public Utility Companies for cost-effective efficiency and conservation programs
• Challenges to Southwestern PA businesses to increase solar installations
• EPA partnerships and programs (Sustainability Partnership, Energy Star, Water Sense, Climate Leaders, U.S. Green Building Council, and Waste Wise)
• Demand response programs, how they work and the economic benefit of participating.
• Benefits of tracking energy usage.
• Advantages of conducting an energy audit for a business.
• Short payback periods for investments due to the present funding programs available.

The audience asked the panelists several questions about the benefits of using Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager as compared with conducting an energy audit.  They also asked about requirements to participate in Duquesne Light’s conservation projects.

The event concluded with an announcement to the audience to look for future workshops and events next year, including training sessions instructed by the Environmental Protection Agency on how to use Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager.  Additionally, there are plans for energy workshops to be held in partnership with the Diagnostic Energy Auditor’s Association of Western Pennsylvania at neighboring libraries.  These workshops are designed to assist businesses with the development of their individual energy management systems.

Agenda:
4:30 Reception, informal networking, and light snacks
5:00 Introductory remarks
5:10 Panel presentation on how leading companies saved money and reduced emissions through energy savings programs
5:45 Q & A
6:00 Panel presentation on resources and opportunities for reducing
energy costs and GHG’s
7:00 Q & A
7:25 Resources, networking

Presented by: The Business Climate Coalition of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative and the Champions for Sustainability (C4S)

Cost: $25 per person (members $20)

Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided.

Road to Sustainability

Save the Date: Tuesday, October 13
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Community College of Beaver County Dome
Cost: $35 per person (includes breakfast and lunch)

Hosted by the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), Congressman Jason Altmire, L. Robert Kimball & Associates, and Sustainable Pittsburgh, “The Road to Sustainability” Conference is aimed at providing information to businesses and organizations about what it really means to “go green” as well as what it will take to get the current workforce trained to do so. Scheduled topics include the following:
• Sustainable Development
• Green Building and LEED
• Energy Auditing
• Mechanical Systems
• Grant Writing
• Act 129 opportunities
• Act 167 and Future Storm Water Management
• Solid Waste Management

A Resources Room will also be available throughout the day, highlighting vendors displaying green products and services.

For more information, including registration, click here.

The Summer's Hot Business Topic: A Discussion of Energy Policy and The American Clean Energy and Security Act

Thursday, July 30, 2009
6:00 - 8:30 pm
New Hazlett Theater
Allegheny Square E.
North Side Pittsburgh
Click here for directions

This event is free and open to the public.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act commands attention of all industries as it sets a new course for energy and climate policy.  The stakes are high as the nation grapples to the transition to a new energy economy.  This event is intended to help businesses in our region to assess the opportunities and challenges emerging from the debate over energy and climate policy.

This event commences with a viewing of a taped debate on energy issues (from The Miller Center of Public Affairs National Discussion and Debate Series) featuring:

• Karen Harbert, President and CEO, Institute for 21st Century Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• John Podesta, President, Center for American Progress; former White House Chief of Staff
• Christine Todd Whitman, Co-chair of CASEnergy Coalition; former EPA Administrator; former Governor of New Jersey
• James Woolsey, Venture Partner, VantagePoint Venture Partners; former Director of Central Intelligence

After the screening, a local panel of business and community leaders will share thoughts on issues described in the video and will discuss what actions businesses can take immediately in order to reduce their energy costs as well their emissions.

Panelists will include:

• Lee Ann Briggs, Regional Environmental Specialist, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center
• William O'Rourke, Vice President for Sustainability and Environment, Health and Safety, Alcoa
• Sharon Pillar, Global Warming Outreach Coordinator, Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future
• Keith Schaefer, Founder, CEO, and President, BPL Global
• Steve Winberg, VP, Research and Development, Consol Energy

Moderated by Rob Jones, Sr. Manager, Public Affairs at Dominion Peoples and President & CEO at IngoodCompany LLC

Agenda:
6:00 Reception, informal networking, and light snacks
6:30 Film feature: "Miller Center of Public Affairs National Discussion and Debate Series: Energy"
7:30 Panel reactions and high stakes for Pittsburgh businesses
8:00 Q&A and discussion of opportunities for our region's businesses and entrepreneurs
8:30 Adjourn

Presented by: Champions for Sustainability (C4S) and the Business Climate Coalition of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative.

Corporate Sustainability Charrette
Friday, January 23, 2009
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The Urban Mountain Gathering Place on Mt. Washington
213 Bailey Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15211

$40/participant
Lunch will be provided.
Open to limited number of companies

Champions for Sustainability (C4S) is organizing its first Corporate Sustainability Charrette.  The purpose of this event is to bring together companies who have common interests in a particular sustainability issue and convene them with regional experts who can provide hands-on, charrette-style consultation to meet those challenges. 

How it works: Several companies have been invited to participate because of their interest in tackling a particular corporate sustainability challenge.  For this particular event, small groups are being invited in the areas of commuting and site-to-site transportation; composting; group purchasing of supplies; and obtaining capital to grow established sustainable business practices. Each group will have the opportunity to work with several regional experts in each of these areas in order to initiate projects that quickly deliver on benefits and value.   Companies are asked to bring with them materials that can help frame the way they are approaching their issue.  Experts will bring tools to help work with that information in order to provide a first cut analysis and solution for that particular issue.