Environment Committee
Committee Overview
The Environmental Committee focuses on issues related to current and potential impacts to our region’s clean air, water, and soil. The committee’s work tackles a wide variety of issues, including shale gas development, developing a region energy strategy, and incorporating green infrastructure to address stormwater problems.
Summary of Current Initiatives
If you are interested in serving on the Environment Committee, please contact Briana Mihok at bnd2@pitt.edu or 412-624-7792.
Ongoing and/or Completed Projects
Green Infrastructure
The Green Infrastructure report examines green infrastructure methods currently being deployed in Southwestern Pennsylvania. More specifically, it defines and explains green infrastructure, explores the benefits and challenges of its use, and offers several recommendations for potential future green infrastructure projects in our region.
Shale Gas
Between 2011 and 2013, the Economic Development Policy Committee, along with the Environment Policy Committee devoted its efforts to the work of the Shale Gas Roundtable. The Roundtable was comprised of a high-level, diverse membership including 26 individuals from relevant, interested constituencies throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. In August 2013, two years of study and dialogue culminated in the release of a report setting forth recommendations for the improvement of unconventional oil and gas development in Pennsylvania, including development in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The recommendations promote increased research, modernization of state regulations, and the building of relationships across sectors to support environmental protection, quality of life, and economic development goals for the region.
Read more about the work of the Shale Gas Roundtable.
Memberships
The Environment Committee is chaired by:
- Caren E. Glotfelty, Executive Director, Allegheny County Parks Foundation
Click here for a complete list of committee members.
The Environment Committee is carefully crafted to be balanced and represent a variety of stakeholders. However, we occasionally have spots available for members in certain sectors who may be underrepresented on the committee. Please contact Briana Mihok at 412-624-7792 or bnd2@pitt.edu if you have an interest in serving as a member.
Publications
The following publications issued by the Institute are related to the focus areas of the Environment Committee:
- Kathy McCauley, Bruce Barron, and Morton Coleman, Crossing the Aisle to Cleaner Air: How the Bipartisan "Project 88" Transformed Environmental Policy (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2008)
- Jan Lauer, Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Exploring a Southwestern Pennsylvania Geologic Demonstration Project (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2008)
- Conrad Daniel Volz, Southwestern Pennsylvania's Water Quality Problems and How to Address Them Regionally (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2007)
- Laura Lewis-Clemons, Two Key Environmental Issues Facing Southwestern Pennsylvania: Brownfields and Air Quality (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 1997)
- Clarke Thomas, How Brown is My Valley (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 1992)