Mayor seeks energy efficiency expert
The mayor gave the Green Initiative Trust Fund $100,000. That's about half of what the city has saved by combining its energy purchases with Allegheny County.
Ravenstahl says a coordinator will be hired for $45,000 annually to help implement the Green Government Task Force's plan to cut pollution in the city by 20 percent.
Environmental officials say they hope the trust fund will get matching state, federal and foundation grants.
They say making some of the city's old buildings energy efficient could cost millions of dollars.
Related News

Canadian Electricity Grids Increasingly Exposed to Harsh Weather
TORONTO - The recent alerts in Alberta's electricity grid during extreme cold have highlighted a broader North American issue, where power systems are more susceptible to being overwhelmed by severe weather.
Electricity Canada's chief executive emphasized that no part of the grid is safe from the escalating intensity and frequency of weather extremes linked to climate change.
“In recent years, during these extreme weather events, we’ve observed record highs in electricity demand,” he stated.
“It’s a nationwide phenomenon. For instance, last summer in Ontario and last winter in Quebec, we experienced unprecedented demand levels. This pattern of extremes is becoming more pronounced across the…