Allegheny Co. Council launches committee on sustainability, climate

Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena announced on Thursday the creation of a new sustainability standing committee on council.

The Committee on Sustainability and Green Initiatives will collaborate with the county’s sustainability manager and municipalities to investigate the feasibility of a regional climate action plan, according to a news release.

The committee will also provide an updated greenhouse gas assessment to move the county in the direction of the long- term goal of carbon neutrality; offer recommendations to incorporate sustainable practices in all county departments; and offer recommendations on ways to promote and educate the public about the county’s environmental and energy initiatives, the news release said.

“The county is doing some good things and we need to ensure that the residents of Allegheny County are aware,” Mr. Catena said. “This committee hopes to help with this messaging besides researching creative ways to become more efficient.”

Mr. Catena has named county Councilwoman Anita Prizio chair of the new committee, according to the news release.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on Council and the Administration to see what more we can do to better our environment with green initiatives,” said Ms. Prizio. “I am eager to get started.”

Also on Thursday, council’s Committee on Public Safety met briefly to continue discussing the creation of a countywide Independent Police Review Board, though no action was taken.

Several proposed amendments to the board’s operational procedures were discussed, such as the recording of verbatim minutes, but all were held until the committee’s next meeting.