Trump Helps Rich and Hurt Poor

The graph below shows the combined effects of Trump tax cuts and tariffs. Bars above the 0 line help, below hurt.  The net effects are shown a small blue and brown squares.  Low income takes the big hit.  Doesn't seem "just" to me.

How is Shell's Ethane Cracker impacting your quality of life?

What can you do about it? Pollution may come in the form of noise, light, odor, dust or otherwise.

Please come to an important community meeting January 30th, 7-8PM:

First Presbyterian Church

Commons Room

252 College Ave., Beaver, PA 15009

FROM THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stood atop the West End Overlook on Sunday afternoon and recalled a visit to Pittsburgh several years ago when he could not see across the streets through the smog.

“What a change,” said Bloomberg, who serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action.

“It’s quite amazing and so much better for the people.”

He joined Mayor Bill Peduto to announce Pittsburgh as a winner in the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, a $70 million initiative expected to accelerate the city’s efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for residents.

Three other winners announced today include Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C. They join six cities named as winners in the first round.

Winners will receive technical assistance and a support package valued at up to $2.5 million per city.

Peduto said Pittsburgh will use the money to create and implement a benchmarking policy for buildings, develop a statewide clean energy financing program, scale renewable power through community solar programs and expand bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

The goal is to see 100 percent renewable energy in city operations, a 50 percent reduction in energy consumption and a shift in transportation energy use.

“We have traveled further than any other city from the environmental degradation that was part of this city’s fabric,” Peduto said. “It’s only because of partnerships that addressed issues of air and water quality.

“We have a long way to go, but that we’ve shown them how a city that had basically destroyed its environment can come back and succeed economically.”

Peduto credited teamwork among Pittsburgh City Council for promoting a green-first agenda, and also partnerships between government and higher education, like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, that strengthen 21 st Century cities.

Bloomberg told the gathering of about 15 people that energy efficiency saves taxpayers’ money. Mass transit and bike lanes help people get around, parks make cities more attractive places to live and reducing traffic improves economic productivity.

“All these steps help clean the air, which helps people live longer lives and helps businesses create more jobs,” Bloomberg said. “What’s not to like about that?”

He called Pittsburgh a global leader in the renewable energy industry, with 13,000 city residents working in that field.

“Pittsburgh is a great example of a city that is benefiting from smart climate policies,” Bloomberg said. “The economy is growing, and the environment is greener than it has been in decades.”

About 100 of the country’s largest cities applied to the challenge, submitting bold plans to cut carbon emissions, Bloomberg said. All aimed to reduce air pollution and citywide emissions with specific projects to reform transit and buildings sectors — two areas traditionally responsible for 80 percent of all citywide emissions.

Other cities already announced as winners include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Jose and Seattle.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.

 
           Hate Has No Home Here: Community Meeting with FBI

               January 28, 2019 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
               118 52nd St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA

Solar Power Leadership in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia to offset 22 percent of government building electricity costs via solar PPA

by: Chris Crowell of Solar Builder Magazine

1/7/19

Developer Community Energy Inc. announced the approval of a 70-MW solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in Adams County, Pa, to power government facilities in Philadelphia. The solar farm, named Adams Solar LLC, will produce enough electricity to operate 22 percent of Philadelphia government buildings by 2020. The project is the largest in Pennsylvania by sevenfold, and a significant step toward the city’s clean energy goal of sourcing 100 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

Adams Solar LLC will sell 100 percent of its power under a 20-year contract to The Philadelphia Energy Authority, an independent city agency. The project will generate 156,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy in the first year of operation, eliminating more than 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the project.

“The Philadelphia solar commitment demonstrates impressive and much-needed leadership on climate change in Pennsylvania,” said Brent Alderfer, Community Energy CEO and co-founder. “As the costs of climate change go up, Philadelphia is showing the way for municipalities to secure reliable, long-term solar power to decarbonize and head off irreversible climate damage.”

An Economic Opportunity Plan (EOP) will use best efforts to incorporate minority, women and disabled-person owned businesses into the Adams Solar LLC project. Job fairs for sub-contractors and the workforce will be held in both Philadelphia and Adams County. Community Energy’s efforts will connect to existing solar training opportunities, such as recent Philadelphia Energy Authority initiatives.

“This project not only helps Philadelphia demonstrate leadership on climate action, but it also makes good economic sense and helps to boost regional job growth in the renewable energy sector,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “We thank Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, the Philadelphia Energy Authority, and Community Energy, Inc. for their partnership in creating this win-win deal for Philadelphians.”

https://solarbuildermag.com/news/philadelphia-to-offset-22-percent-of-government-building-electricity-costs-via-solar-ppa/

PA Legislature Update - Environmental Developments (January, 2019)

HR 1 (passed) contains, among other things, a new "Governmental Oversight Committee" with broad subpoena powers.  Need attorneys to inform us on the full scope of this committee and its powers.

In my opinion bad news: Daryl Metcalfe has been given the chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy committee and his intention is to focus on reform and simplification and not on matters of environmental concern.  District 12 is just north of St Paul's church, several of our friends live is his district and have tried to participate in his town halls.

The federal government shutdown raises questions about the opening and closing dates for comments on proposed rules - mercury, methane to name two.

We are currently in Act 129 Phase III, but the PUC is starting the processes for Phase IV which is in the technical (nerdy) phase.  Act 129 provides the opportunity to implement electric energy conservation and efficiencies - boring but very important.

A year ago, the Charlottesville rally shined a light on white supremacists and sparked overdue conversations.

 

Watch this very informative PBS News Hour piece on what has happened since the Charlottesville incident one year ago.  It speaks to the status, the problems and notably some favorable developments in our country (minute 9:00+).

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-year-ago-the-charlottesville-rally-shined-a-light-on-white-supremacists-and-sparked-overdue-conversations