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WHEREAS, the mission of East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI) is to foster the revitalization of the East Liberty community in the City of Pittsburgh. Working in collaboration with community stakeholders, ELDI acts as a catalyst for positive change by providing leadership in the areas of planning, advocacy, image building and investments; and
WHEREAS, East Liberty Development, Inc. was founded in 1979 and has facilitated the development of 525 residential units over the last 10 years in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, thereby making a significant contribution to ongoing revitalization efforts in the area; and
WHEREAS, Michael Merck grew up in the Greater Pittsburgh area, received his MBA from Duquesne University in 2005 and founded West Penn Energy Solutions, LLC in 2007; and
WHEREAS, the mission of West Penn Energy Solutions is to reduce the impact our homes have on the environment. To this end they have installed over 30 photovoltaic systems totaling 140 kW and performed over 400 energy audits and over 200 energy efficient improvements and renovations on existing buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Net-Zero Project is a collaborative project between East Liberty Development Inc. and West Penn Energy Solutions with financial help provided by the Urban Redevelopment Authority; it is an example of cooperation between a non-profit entity and a private enterprise with support from the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, the house at 710 N. Saint Clair St. was originally built in 1910 and the renovation and reuse of this 100-year old house highlights the continuing value and future potential of Pittsburgh's housing stock; and
WHEREAS, the project at 710 N. Saint Clair St. will use a variety of technologies to reduce energy consumption and generate electricity including a solar thermal water heater and boiler system , a 4.6 kW photovoltaic array, an exterior rain water collection system and a heat recovery ventilator; and
WHEREAS, the use of these technologies results in a projected annual gas bill of $215 per year and no net electricity consumption, making this the first net-zero rehabilitation of an existing home in the City of Pittsburgh.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend ELDI and West Penn Energy Solutions on their commitment to energy efficiency and reinvestment in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, April 5, 2011 Net-Zero Renovation day in the City of Pittsburgh.