Kickoff Event

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2012

Time: 7:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens


Event Overview: Smart Energy Use for a Healthier Business Climate and Clean Air

Cost: $45 for C4S/Sustainable Pittsburgh Members
$55 Nonmembers
Free for Green Workplace Challenge Participants
Students: Special Rate

Breakfast and Lunch Provided

Event Summary (will be posted shortly)

Media Coverage

Click here for the press release announcing the current standings and accomplishments of the Pittsburgh Green Workplace Challenge.

Click here for the press release announcing this event.

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Smart Energy Use event to offer practical sustainability tips
• Pop City Media: How green is your business or company?
• Essential Pittsburgh on Essential Public Radio:The Green Workplace Challenge and Sustainable Business
• Pittsburgh Business Times: Green Workplace Challenge Saves 19 Million kWh of energy
• Twitter comments

Overview

• How can I better manage utility costs to free up operating dollars?
• Why is air quality an important consideration for business operations?
• What are the risks to not having an energy strategy for my business?

“Smart Energy Use for a Healthier Business Climate and Clean Air” features industry leaders sharing insights  to their achievements and practical advice for smarter ways to use energy and save money. Speakers include national visionaries presenting a strong business case for energy and air quality programs in the workplace, local corporate leaders who have risen to the top of the leaderboard of the Green Workplace Challenge, as well as small business owners who have reduced their energy expenses, giving them more capital to operate their businesses.

This workshop will benefit professionals, managers, and corporate and community leaders from all sectors (manufacturing, tech, pharmaceutical, etc.) who are interested in gaining knowledge and how-to assistance on a variety of topics related to energy management programs that reduce costs, open up new opportunities, and improve air quality.

Background

The private sector has been a leading force in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s transformation from its industrial past to a present-day balanced economy and higher quality of life. Business leaders have taken on tough, interlocking issues in order to achieve economic development goals.

One remaining challenge is Southwestern Pennsylvania’s air quality. Despite many regional, sustainability-driven improvements, the region’s air quality continues to rank among the worst in the nation. Regional private sector leaders recognize that their future workforce’s talent, health, and competitiveness necessitate improving the region’s air quality.

The good news is that there are short-term, bottom-line economic benefits to implementing practices that simultaneously save money and improve air quality. Smart energy practices bind the nexus of short term cost savings and air quality improvements, as well as long term healthier communities where future employees choose to live.

Video

(The video takes a few moments to download and launch)

Agenda - With Presentations

Overview Presentation

Bios of All Participants

Final Program

7:30 – 8:00 Registration and Breakfast

8:00 – 8:10 Welcome and Background on the Air Quality Series

8:10 – 8:45 Keynote Strategy Address

Jon Creyts
Program Director
Rocky Mountain Institute

8:45 – 9:00 Q&A

9:00 – 9:05 Green Workplace Challenge Leaderboard reveal

9:05 – 9:10 GWC Total Impact of the Competition through May 2012

9:10 – 9:30 Clean Air Strategy Address

Conrad Schneider
Advocacy Director
Clean Air Task Force
Presentation

9:30 – 9:40 Q&A

9:40 – 9:50 Break

9:50 – 10:05 Breathe Project Participation

Benson Gabler
Vice President
Manager of Corporate Sustainability
The PNC Financial Services Group

10:05– 10:45 Panel 1: Clean Air Quality Practice Panel

Scott Gebhardt
Utility Energy and Conservation Specialist
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Presentation

Betsy Mallison
Communications Chair
Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership
Presentation

Erik Mohn
Sustainability Analyst
Summit Energy
Presentation

Patrick Regan
Regional Markets, Energy Efficiency
Constellation Energy

10:45 – 10:55 Panel 1 Q&A

10:55 – 11:40 Panel 2: Clean Energy Leadership

Tim Gaichas
Executive Vice President
Business Development
pair Networks, Inc.
Presentation

Skip Shemon
Site Facilities Planning Coordinator, Robinson Facilities
Bayer Corporation
Presentation

Billy Grayson
Director, Corporate Sustainability
WESCO Distribution
Presentation

Steve Hockley
Sustainability Process Manager
evolve environment::architecture
Presentation

11:40 – 11:55 Panel 2 Q&A

11:55 Survey of participants on energy and clean air practices

12:00 Lunch with discussion group breakout sessions on clean air and clean energy topics

12:45 Event summation and take aways

1:30 Adjourn

About the Business of Clean Air Series

The C4S Air Quality Series Planning Committee is organizing a series of workshops that advance the mutually reinforcing agendas of sustainability and air quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This effort, sparked by interest from some of the region’s businesses and leaders in the Breathe Project, has garnered support for organizing informative workshops that focus on sustainable solutions that improve air quality and business operations. The C4S Series will feature business operational practices that save energy, save money, and improve the region’s air quality.

Student registation and other questions, please contact:

Matthew M. Mehalik, Ph.D., Program Manager, Sustainable Pittsburgh mmehalik@sustainablepittsburgh.org