In the News

City Council Passes Clean Water Act
Released Date: 27 Jul 2010

Press: WDUQ

Pittsburgh Council today unanimously passed the Clean Water Act.

Executive Director of Pittsburgh UNITED, Barney Oursler, said the passing of this legislation is a big step in the environmental world, as it addresses one of western Pennsylvania’s biggest problems. He said the bill was unanimously passed mainly due to the large coalition of supporters urging council to vote for it.

Councilmen Bruce Kraus and Bill Peduto said the approval demonstrates their commitment towards a better environment.

Read More
Air kisses: Middle schoolers rally for the environment
Released Date: 18 Jul 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Out of the mouths of babes. Well, in this case, tweens. Young participants in an environmental summer camp took their quest for clean air to the West End Overlook on Thursday, hoping to persuade City Council to enact tougher measures.

Seventy-eight middle-school students are taking part in the nine-week Pittsburgh Cares E-Serve camp, which is designed to teach them about the environment and what individuals can do to help make the world cleaner, greener and healthier.

Read More
Campers call attention to environmental legislation before City Council
Released Date: 16 Jul 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Youth raise a chant for clean air

Paw Parheat, left, 13, and Chris Thorpe, 11, shout "Clean air now!" at a press conference demanding clean air for Pittsburgh at the West End Overlook.

Kids from the Pittsburgh Cares E-Serve summer camp are supporting the Clean Air Bill introduced in city council.

Read More
Pittsburgh campers give shout out for clean air
Released Date: 16 Jul 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

When Denzie White started to learn about air pollution, the 12-year-old Bellevue girl thought she should do something about it.

"Why live in a place that has air pollution?" Denzie said.

She and 50 other kids decided to "do something about it" atop West End Overlook park Thursday afternoon.

Holding posters and shouting, "Clean air now!" and "Pollution is wrong!" the children urged City Council to pass the Clean Air Act, which aims to reduce diesel emissions.

Read More
Pittsburgh may require new job site rules
Released Date: 2 Jul 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

More than 200 union members and environmental activists turned out Thursday in support of two City Council bills that would restrict diesel emissions and storm water runoff on city-subsidized development projects.

"When we put our tax dollars into something, the diesel equipment should be cleaner. ... And developers should be part of the solution in trying to capture as much water as they can," said Tom Hoffman, Western Pennsylvania's director for Clean Water Action.

Read More
Clean Air, Water Acts Arrive at Pgh City Council
Released Date: 1 Jun 2010

Press: WDUQ News

Environmental activists, union members, and several community organizations gathered outside Pittsburgh City Council Chambers today to support new legislation aimed at cleaning the city’s air and water.

Councilman Bill Peduto’s Clean Water Act of 2010 would require publicly-funded developers to try to contain storm water runoff. Its partner bill, the Clean Air Act, would mandate that diesel-powered construction vehicles be retrofitted with cleaner exhaust systems or replaced with cleaner vehicles.

Read More
Pittsburgh councilman wants tougher environmental standards
Released Date: 1 Jun 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

City Councilman Bill Peduto plans to introduce today legislation requiring publicly funded developments to meet more stringent environmental standards to help improve the city's air and water.

The measures would mandate that developers who take city subsidies reduce storm water runoff and would require construction vehicles at these sites to reduce diesel emissions by retrofitting the equipment or using newer ones.

Read More
Council pushes for clean development
Released Date: 1 Jun 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Legislation calls for contractors in city-subsidized projects to be air-friendly and 'green'

Pittsburgh City Councilman William Peduto, center, listens to one of the speakers at news conference Tuesday outside City Council Chambers about the Clean Air and Clean Water bills.

Read More
200 Hill residents jockey for jobs at new arena
Released Date: 27 May 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Larry Bates, 23, of the Hill District fills out a job application for Consol Energy Center during a meeting Wednesday in Wesley Center AME Church.

Collette Brooks wants a chance at a job in Consol Energy Center.

"Just let me get in the door. I'm gonna tear it up," the 50-year-old Hill District resident said Wednesday evening.

Read More
Over 200 apply for arena jobs--Hill District residents get first break at Consol Energy Center hirings
Released Date: 27 May 2010

Press: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Timia Harris, center, from the Hill House Center, passes out applications on Wednesday for part-time employment at the new Consol Energy Center at Wesley Center AME Church in the Hill District. John Heller/Post-Gazette

One after another, more than 200 residents of the Hill District filed into the Wesley Center AME Church on Wednesday evening to fill out four-page applications for better futures.

Read More