Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and a Green Economy
The average Allegheny County resident is exposed to more cancer-causing air pollutants than 86% of residents in the rest of the United States. The county is taking the steps listed below to deepen its work to support communities impacted by pollution, support workers to access good, green jobs, and grow and attract businesses that work towards cleaner air, water, and energy.
Initiatives
- Not Started 0%
- In Progress 88%
- Completed 13%
Community Priorities
Members of the Allegheny County community value:
-
-
Supporting workers in accessing jobs that make air, energy, and water cleaner
-
Attracting new businesses to the county that will employ residents
-
Locally producing green-focused products like solar panels or electric vehicles that could make environment cleaner
-
Addressing the needs of communities most impacted by pollution
-
See the 8 initiatives expanding Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and a Green Economy
6 Month Action Items
1 year action items
3 Year Action Items
Make existing job training programs more accessible to residents by removing barriers to participation
Allegheny County is committed to making it easier and less expensive to participate in training and certification programs for jobs that support green construction, energy efficiency, and clean renewable energy.
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) will partner with businesses to expand paid internship experiences and scholarships, making it financially easier for students to take advantage of job training programs.
CCAC will partner with Partner4Work to continue securing job placements for students after they complete training, which will help students see a return on their investment after participating in job training programs.
In Progress
The Department of Children Initiatives (DCI) began implementation of the Childcare Access for Recovery-to-Work Opportunities grant with the identification of childcare partners and the development of the partner organization referal pipeline.
Make it easier for small and local businesses to get certified with the county
By regularly sharing information on certification guidelines and other important information for small businesses over the county’s outreach platforms and social media, Allegheny County will make it easier for small and local businesses to get certified.
In Progress
Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) works with numerous county departments and external partners such as Equity and Inclusion, RCI, and SBDC, to develop and support programs for small businesses to get certified.
ACED held the second annual “Doing Business In Allegheny County” event on June 18, 2025 to connect businesses with certification resources and offer support to businesses of all size and scale.
Conduct a robust national search for the next Director of the Health Department who will activate the department’s powers to address pollution
A new director will activate all of the department’s powers to address pollution such as drawing down decarbonization funding and democratizing the Clean Air Fund by opening it up to a more inclusive and transparent process.
Completed
In June of 2024, the Allegheny County Board of Health approved Dr. Iulia Vann to be the Director of the Allegheny County Health Department.
Create a new Director of Climate Resilience and Jobs position in the County Executive’s office
This position will be dedicated to working within and outside of county government to deliver on the Innamorato Administration’s commitment to support a clean and healthy environment and create high-quality green jobs to meet these goals.
In Progress
The Innamorato Administration has hired Allegheny County’s first Sustainability Director. As the Department of Sustainability moves forward with the county’s first Climate Action Plan, as well as other initiatives and goals, the Director of Climate Resilience and Jobs position continues to be evaluated. The position is posted.
Expand Community College of Allegheny County’s (CCAC) existing green job training programs and updating programs to incorporate green technology
Expand opportunities for youth and students to gain skills that could help access jobs that make our air, energy, and water cleaner.” For example, students in the automotive training program now receive training on the safety, maintenance, and repair of electric vehicles, and students learning about facilities maintenance now receive training on ways to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) will partner with organizations, including the Green Building Alliance, to expand existing programs and deliver training at a central location so it is more accessible to students countywide. CCAC’s green job training programs have connected students to more than 150 jobs. Over the next year, CCAC will expand this program to serve another 30-50 students and make the training available at two additional campuses, including West Hills Center and Allegheny Campus, utilizing the new Center for Education, Innovation, and Training.
CCAC will invite employers in the green economy as Advisory Board members, helping to shape their training programs so they offer pathways into jobs that make our air, energy, and water cleaner.
In Progress
CCAC has expanded and developed new programs to meet labor industry demand, with programs including:
-
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician Apprenticeship
- Wastewater Technician Program
- Personal Care Home Administrator Training
- Paramedic Program (second cohort)
A new faculty member in Building Automation Systems will be hired to expand training offerings in green and sustainable technologies. Employers from Green Economy have been invited to join and attend advisory board meetings for HVAC and Building Construction programs . CCAC will continue to review high priority occupations in PA and explore ways that the college can provide workforce training.
Implement a new strategy to help local green businesses grow by prioritizing local businesses in County equipment purchases
The county has purchased over $1M in solar design and procurement, $750,000.00 in solar installation, and energy-efficient electric work, among others, from local contractors over the past five years.
In Progress
The Department of Sustainability participates in the Doing Business in Allegheny County program to support local businesses and promote upcoming opportunities for “green” projects. All vendors that contract with the county are required to complete a sustainability profile, which gathers information on each business’s sustainability practices.
Support municipalities to regulate land use to keep polluting facilities away from environmental justice communities
The county will work with municipalities and entities including Councils of Governments, the Local Government Academy, and the Allegheny League of Municipalities (ALOM), to review their land use regulations and share model ordinances to site polluting facilities away from community facilities.
In Progress
Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) will launch the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan in summer 2025. A library of zoning code text amendments will be developed and shared with County Council and municipalities. Both the Comprehensive Plan and the county’s development of a Climate Action Plan will support and encourage zoning updates and multi-municipal planning efforts.
ACED continues to administer the Mon Valley Public Health Settlement Funds, supporting seven existing projects, and opening a new application cycle for 2025.
Make information about the County’s work to address pollution more easily accessible
Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Air Quality team is creating an accessible, digital platform to share regulatory information about regulated facilities.
The county will also:
-
- Provide information about regulated facilities and associated pollutants
more searchable and user-friendly on the website - Use communications platforms, such as county social media, to share regular updates with the public about the county’s work to address pollution
- Leverage partnerships with dozens of community organizations that helped to shape the Plan for a Healthier Allegheny
- Provide information about regulated facilities and associated pollutants
In Progress
Several initiatives have been implemented to share air quality forecasts, including the use of social media and the county’s message delivery system. Additionally, compliance inspection and permit issuance schedules were added to the Air Quality Permitting webpage.