Investments in trails, multimodal work, and other initiatives help us lower our carbon footprint, and has a direct impact on regional air quality. For county residents, air quality has been a multi-generational concern, but in April, the Allegheny County Health Department announced that the county again met federal air quality standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at all eight air quality monitors.
When you think of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, you also think about energy. From the first coal mine in Pennsylvania, in the late 1700s at Coal Hill, part of modern-day Mount Washington, to the drive to become one of this country’s hydrogen hubs, this region has always led the way in powering our country. In September, we will host the first ever Global Clean Energy Forum, a joint convening of the 2022 Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation ministerial. In making the announcement, Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm lauded the region, saying it was chosen because it “exemplifies how a legacy energy and industrial-dependent economy can be transformed into a technology and innovation powerhouse.” Some may ask why Pittsburgh, but we know. The Pittsburgh region already offers everything the world needs to make the transition to a clean energy future for all. The toughest problems get solved here. Pittsburgh applies ingenuity, creativity, determination and grit to materialize big ideas that transform the real world, making it a better, more livable place. We know how to drive the next wave of energy and environmental transformation because we have done it before. The world’s eyes are on us and we are committed to finding new, inventive ways to create a future of health and prosperity for all through clean, sustainable energy. The future is now – and in Allegheny County, it is marked by sustainability, growth and innovative leadership.
Change is happening; further improvements are coming.
An energy journey that started in the 1700s at a giant hill of coal on the banks of the Monongahela River will soon lead to a low-impact hydroelectric facility on the Ohio River, an exciting project that will help the county reach its goal of producing 100 percent renewable energy from local sources. Last year, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced that the county entered into an agreement to purchase 7.4 MW of renewable electricity from a new run-of-river hydroelectric facility to be located on the Ohio River. This important development provides a clear map toward fully renewable energy and even more clean energy jobs in Allegheny County. In May, Fitzgerald joined state and local leaders to highlight the region’s pursuit to be designated as one of four Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs in the United States. The initiative is part of President Biden’s work to create jobs by expanding the use of clean hydrogen to accelerate the decarbonization of the industrial sector. And the U.S. Department of Energy recently selected Allegheny County as the site of the first ever Global Clean Energy Forum, a joint convening of the 2022 Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation ministerial, to be held in Pittsburgh Sept. 22-23. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said the region was chosen because it “exemplifies how a legacy energy and industrial-dependent economy can be transformed into a technology and innovation powerhouse.” Proof of our “powerhouse” abilities came in June in the form of the 2022 U.S Energy and Employment Report (USEER), which showed that Pennsylvania is one of the top states in terms of percent growth in transmission, distribution and storage energy jobs, and our energy workers represent 3.3 percent of all U.S. energy jobs, and 4.6 percent of total state employment. In Allegheny County and at ACED, we are committed to finding new, inventive ways to create a future of health and prosperity for all through clean, sustainable energy. The future is now, and we will not rest on our laurels as this county and region continues to lead in green jobs, clean energy, sustainability, and innovation.
Lance Chimka Director Economic Development One Chatham Center 112 Washington Place Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412.350.1000 alleghenycounty.us/econdev
ALLEGHENY COUNTY ALWAYS INSPIRING
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DEVELOPING PITTSBURGH | Fall 2022
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