Peduto, other U.S. mayors pledge to continue climate fight
Pittsburgh’s Bill Peduto joined some 175 other U.S. mayors Friday in following the Paris climate agreement, a day after President Donald Trump announced he would pull the country from the international accord.
Democratic governors in five states also showed support for the agreement, signaling they will align with a new United States Climate Alliance to fight climate change. The Paris commitment inked in 2015 strives to limit global warming by reducing carbon emissions, among other steps.
“This is where the world’s going, and we’re not going to be able to stop that,” said Mr. Peduto, a Democrat, who issued an executive order emphasizing Pittsburgh’s commitments on climate matters. “The only thing we can do is be a part of it — and lead it -— like we did in the past in this country.”
His order largely reiterates goals announced earlier for the city, including complete reliance on renewable electricity sources for municipal operations by 2030. The document broadly pledges efforts to help “meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.”
Signatories to the Paris accord agreed to attempt to keep global
temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
“Where the city can make positive changes in our processes for the benefit of residents, we’re going to. Where we need industry involved, we’re going to find the opportunity to partner, advocate and, where we need to, regulate,” Mr. Peduto said in a statement later.
Efforts will range from converting the city vehicle fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles. to identifying inefficiencies in city buildings, the mayor said. He took another rhetorical jab Friday at Mr. Trump, who referred to Pittsburgh in the White House announcement on the Paris agreement.
Mr. Trump said he “was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” Mr. Peduto argued again Friday that the reference overlooked the city’s new economy and post-industrial innovation.
The attention and conflict drew international media interest, with Mr. Peduto fielding interview requests from the British Broacasting Corp., National Public Radio, Sky News, the French press and numerous other outlets, accordingto his administration.
Mr. Trump’s campaign stuck with the Pittsburgh phrasing to announce a “Pittsburgh, not Paris” rally for 10 a.m. Saturday in Lafayette Square, across from the White House.
A White House spokeswoman has said Pittsburghers, “like other hardworking American families across the country, are the people [Mr. Trump] is fighting for.”
Back in Pittsburgh, Mr. Peduto is to speak at a climate rally Saturday in Market Square. A climate march is expected to conclude there after starting about 11 a.m. at the City-County Building.
“People come from around the world to learn about the transformation that’s been engineered in Pittsburgh,” said Bill Flanagan, chief corporate relations officer at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. He said the civic leadership group plans to use the global spotlight from this week to showcase the area’s diverse economy.
“We’re hoping that story will get out — and that this won’t become a one-dimensional take on Pittsburgh and what we’re about,” Mr. Flanagan said.
In Harrisburg, Gov. Tom Wolf is forming a group to explore how Pennsylvania can bolster economic growth from energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy, a spokesman said. The governor opposed withdrawingfrom the Paris accord.
But at the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, industry supporters cheered Mr. Trump’s climate announcement. The move prioritized the U.S. economy, said PCA executive director Rachel Gleason.
“As for the mayor’s views of improving efficiency in buildings and using smart infrastructure, we commend his vision,” she wrote in an email message, “and would be happy to provide the coal necessary to achieve those goals.”
Adam Smeltz: 412-2632625, asmeltz@post-gazette.com, @asmeltz. The Associated Press contributed.