Environment and Energy Community Outreach (EECO) building to open February 2012

The Environment and Energy Community Outreach (EECO) Center is scheduled to open in February, 2012. The building was placed December 7, 2011. The EECO Center, upon completion, will offer residents of the City of Pittsburgh an array of installed home security and safety items as well as water and electrci energy efficiency products. Through a partnership with Duquesne Light Company, the Neighborhood Safety Program replaces regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. As part of the energy efficiency programs offered by Duquesne light, PCSI replaces old (ten years or more) refrigerators with cost-efficient energy-star refrigerators. City residents who meet the Duquesne Light eligibility criteria of 150% of federal poverty guidelines can qualify.

The EECO Center scope of work encompasses six basic components: (1)Green entrepreneurship programming to Larimer residents through partnerships with Kingsley Association and Manchester-Bidwell Center, for 12-week training/certificate/job placement;(2)Energy and environmental demonstration facility, providing visual and physical displays of energy saving products like water conservation (rain barrel,rain chains, storage tanks, porous pavement), and energy innovation (solar and wind) as potential job opportunities; (3) Engaging residents in effective, in-home energy assessments, initiating energy savings to residents; (4)Energy crisis management clearly defining financial assistance available to Larimer residents;(5)Small business development loans (up to $2,500) to Larimer investments in green micro-businesses, and (6)Assist in green job creation to support economic growth.