July: Jake Baechle

SUSTAINABLE PITTSBURGH
Sustainable Business Fellow

On July 1st the PCI held a meeting to discuss applying for an EPA Grant related to CO2 reduction. Jake had prepared information about both the Green Office Challenge and the Transportation Transformation. At the completion of the meeting the Transportation Transformation was still up for consideration. Over the course of the next week Jake and Alissa Burger (a Sustainable Pittsburgh Intern) worked to iron out more of the details of the Transportation Transformation and compare it to the requirements of the grant. On July 8th the PCI held a phone conference to discuss how they would pursue the grant. Jake presented his work and it was well received by the partnership. Despite the majority’s support for the project it was decided that a water program would be suiting for this grant, and while the Transportation Transformation should be implemented it could find funding elsewhere.

The BCC had its third meeting of the year this month, and it covered a variety of subjects. Jake presented the group with information regarding the financial benefits of telecommuting along with a synopsis of the various energy related legislation that could be voted on in the senate. Next, Matt presented some of the initial findings from the Focus Group Study. The second half of the meeting Jake presented the BCC with the Green Office Challenge and Transportation Transformation and facilitated discussion around these programs. The group was very supportive of both programs and offered ideas of how to move forward with them and places to look for funding. Jake will be scheduling BCC subcommittee meetings to further discuss these programs.

Towards the end of the month Jake and Matt met with Commuteinfo.org to discuss the Transportation Transformation. The organization seems excited to see the program happen and will be facilitating more conversations and meetings on the subject in the near future. Jake also worked with Matt to promote and prepare for the Green Chemistry Roundtable.

Outside of Sustainable Pittsburgh Jake has continued to work with the Hazelwood Food Forest. Throughout the month of July he was able to help construct a bio-swale that will direct and control run off and rain water that comes through the site. He has also been preparing for the SCA Community Day through meetings and discussions with the Hazelwood Food Forest and the rest of the Green Cities Fellows.