Pittsburgh Energy and Environmental Solutions

Pittsburgh is Uniquely Positioned to Create 21st Century Energy Solutions

As world energy demand increases - it is projected to grow by at least 35 percent by 2030 - those nations and regions that control energy supply and that innovate marketable solutions will be positioned to flourish.

The Pittsburgh region is an energy leader located at a cross-section of critical assets: abundant natural resources; a robust energy supply chain; and a highly-skilled employment base that fuels innovation. This unique portfolio positions Pittsburgh as a global leader in energy solutions.

Energy is creating new jobs here today while our energy-related innovations are creating the region's jobs of tomorrow. Approximately 700 firms comprise the region's energy industry, which contributes more than 10 percent of its gross regional product - supporting some 105,000 jobs and $13.7 billion in annual economic activity.

The Pittsburgh region sits atop the abundant natural gas present in the Marcellus Shale formation, from which we are realizing increased job creation, capital investment and landowner wealth. This is only the beginning. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts natural gas demand will increase by 20 percent during the next 20 years in the United States alone.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center - where the G-20 Pittsburgh Summit will be held in September 2009 - is the world's first and largest LEED®-certified convention center, and the Pittsburgh region is a national leader in green building design and construction.

A 150-Year History of Energy Innovation

• The first commercial oil well (1859), natural gas pipeline, commercial nuclear power plant and air emissions control technologies were all created in the Pittsburgh region. We also led the nation in renewing and reclaiming our environment when we cleaned up our skies through a series of lasting public-private partnerships going back more than 65 years - from the first air quality legislation to robust brownfield reclamation during the past 25 years.
• We are the materials innovator and supplier for a greener global economy - leveraging our world-class manufacturing capabilities to create better performing green products and building technologies. Pittsburgh is a "Top 10 Metro Area for Green Jobs," according to Global Insight, and the only one of the 10 that is considered a mid-sized city.

The Pittsburgh Regional Energy Economy is:

• Diversified - From cleaner coal, natural gas and nuclear and alternative energy to next-generation power generation, distribution and conservation, our natural and industrial assets are abundant.
• Integrated - A strong and varied supply chain connects to our natural resources base and R+D centers.
• Dynamic - With $1 billion invested annually in energy research and innovation, Pittsburgh is home to the National Energy Technology Laboratory (the United States' only national fossil fuel research lab); cleaner coal research from CONSOL Energy (with the nation's only private sector coal R+D facility); new solar power technologies from PPG Industries; energy efficiency solutions from Eaton Corporation; and world-dominating nuclear technologies from Westinghouse Electric Company. Nearby research universities include Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and West Virginia University are all conducting research into generating, distributing and using energy in efficient and environmentally responsible ways.

Get more information about the Pittsburgh region’s energy economy at www.nationsenergycapital.org