GBA Update - March 2005

LEED for Existing Buildings- Technical Review Workshop: This full-day session for building owners, facility managers and design teams will cover the technical requirements and processes for achieving certification under the LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System. This session will address strategies to advance existing buildings to a sustainable level of operation, upgrade and reduce building operating costs, solve building operation problems, improve indoor environment, and support higher productivity of building occupants. For more information view the flyer.

Pittsburgh ASHRAE Scholarship Award: The Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers is offering $1,000 scholarship this to undergraduate and graduate degree candidates who are enrolled in engineering or management programs at accredited colleges or universities. Scholarship funds are to be used for courses directly related to energy engineering or energy management preferably within the curriculum leading to a major or minor in energy engineering. For more information download the form or email chris.larry@siemens.com .

Shady Side Academy Plans Green Renovation: In a 6.8 million dollar renovation of the main senior school building, Shady Side Academy plans to emphasize environmentally friendly approaches, from glass that lets more light into classrooms to rainwater collected and used to flush toilets. The work will focus on Rowe Hall as well as part of the adjacent student center. The school plans to seek a silver LEED certification from the USGBC.

Planning Support Program: Sustainable Pittsburgh, The Local Government Academy, and 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania are pleased to announce the Planning Support Program - technical assistance "at no charge" to municipalities and counties that want to develop or implement multi-municipal comprehensive land use plans. Technical assistance ranges from a single meeting to discuss the benefits and processes of land use planning; full series of workshops; plan facilitation and review; and resources fro funding and implementation. Please click here for a full description of the program and to download the pdf brochure.

Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan Website Launched: The website for Allegheny Places, the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan, is now launched. Please visit the site soon to keep up-to-date on what's happening during the planning process and learn how you can get involved. The website address is: http://www.alleghenyplaces.com

Philipsburg DEP Office Celebrates It's LEED Gold Rating: On behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell, Environmental Protection Secretary , Kathleen A. McGinty flipped the ceremonial switch on a 10-kilowatt grid-connected wind turbine that will generate clean energy to power DEP's recently opened Moshannon District Office in Philipsburg, Centre County. The entire business park was built on a reclaimed abandoned mine site. The building has been granted “Gold” certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. For more information visit here.