Forest Hills Forward: Energy + Mobility Deck

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FORWARD | 21 FEBRUARY 2024 TONIGHT’S SPONSORS Keystone Communities Program by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development ENERGY & MOBILITY

Our vision is an increasingly vibrant and prosperous Forest Hills.

FOLLOW US @fhcommunityalliance

WHAT IS FOREST HILLS FORWARD?

evolveEA

Hello!

evolve environment architecture is a multidisciplinary practice situated at the intersection of sustainability and the built environment.

We look through three lenses of sustainability: people, process, and place.

http://www.grosvenor.com/research/research/2014/resilient%20cities%20research%20report/
http://www.grosvenor.com/research/research/2014/resilient%20cities%20research%20report/

RESILIENCY GROSVENOR REPORT

the ability of a city to avoid or bounce back from an adverse event

comes from the interplay of vulnerability and adaptive capacity

climate environment

resources

infrastructure community

governance institutions

technical capacity planning systems

funding structures

http://www.grosvenor.com/research/research/2014/resilient%20cities%20research%20report/

RESILIENCY GROSVENOR REPORT

the ability of a city to avoid or bounce back from an adverse event

comes from the interplay of vulnerability and adaptive capacity

climate environment

resources

infrastructure community

governance institutions

technical capacity planning systems

funding structures

http://www.grosvenor.com/research/research/2014/resilient%20cities%20research%20report/
PLACE GOVERNANCE
Communities face a growing range of adversities and challenges in the 21st century.
RESILIENCE is what helps communities adapt and transform in the face of those challenges, helping them to prepare for both the expected and the unexpected.

WHAT IS

RESILIENCE?

The ability of a community to avoid or bounce back from an adverse event.

Shocks

Blackout

Extreme weather

Toxic spill

Landslide

Major employer relocating

Stresses

Rising costs

Poverty

Aging infrastructure

Inefficient public transportation

the capacity to learn and adjust within the current system

RESILIENCY ADAPTABILITY

the capacity to learn and adjust within the current system

ADAPTABILITY RESILIENCY ADAPTABILITY

the capacity to create a new system if the existing system is unworkable

RESILIENCY TRANSFORMABILITY

the capacity to learn and adjust within the current system

RESILIENCY TRANSFORMABILITY

TRANSFORMABILITY

TRANSFORMABILITY REQUIRES INNOVATION

TRANSFORMABILITY REQUIRES INNOVATION

WE’RE MOVING

Forest Hills has a history of innovation.
Image: Historic Pittsburgh
Image: Atomic Heritage Foundation

WHAT IS

INNOVATION?

Shifting mindsets through a creative new idea, method, or device.

We can innovate…

Policies

Chicken coops

Technologies

Streetscape designs

Business diversity

Boulevards

Jobs

Less traffic

Cultural identity

Development projects

This spring, we are coming together to LEARN, SHARE, AND IMAGINE the future of our community with sustainability, resilience, and innovation at the forefront

LEARN, SHARE, & IMAGINE

the future of our community

Outcomes of this process Community vision for the future

Action plans for each quality of life area

Catalytic projects

We’re going to amplify existing efforts…
Community Dinner 24 January 2024

What is ONE WORD that describes Forest Hills?

What CHALLENGES is Forest Hills facing?

Friendly!

What would you like to LEARN MORE about during this series?

Green

Walkability

How to save money on my energy bills!

Identity

How many food businesses are there in fh?

What is ONE WORD that describes Forest Hills?

What

is ONE WORD that describes Forest Hills?

FRIENDLY & WELCOMING

GREEN OASIS

CHARMING & COZY

COMMUNITY-ORIENTED

What CHALLENGES is Forest Hills facing?

What CHALLENGES is Forest Hills facing?

MOBILITY

DESIRE FOR MORE BUSINESSES

IDENTITY TREES

SUSTAINABILITY DIVERSITY

What would you like to LEARN MORE about during this series?

What would you like to LEARN MORE about during this series?

INCREASE BUSINESSES

VIABILITY OF SOLAR

INCREASE WALKABILITY & BIKEABILITY

HOW TO GET INVOLVED & INVOLVE OTHERS

Energy & Mobility Introduction

Learning Objectives

1. Build a common understanding of energy and mobility, and how they impact Forest Hills.

2. Learn about resident lived experience related to energy and mobility.

3. Inspire and activate Forest Hills to envision their future and explore potential projects.

What CHALLENGES is Forest Hills facing?

What would you like to LEARN MORE about during this series?

“Practicality of home solar in Forest Hills”

“Efforts to honor our Westinghouse Atom Smasher heritage”

“Sustainable energy programs”

“Need to make Braddock to Brinton walkable”

“Speeding in the neighborhood”

“How to make Ardmore safer for cyclists”

My Forest Hills Story

Tell us a story about energy OR mobility in Forest Hills!

Energy Education & Technical Analysis

Photo: Ed Massery

Energy Context

What do you mean by ENERGY ?

Energy sources

Natural Gas

Electricity

Solar Wind

Energy costs

Energy consumption

Energy conservation

Home weatherization

Offsets Carbon emissions

Resilience

“Moving Forward on the Forest Hills Climate Action Plan”

Tree City Times, April 2021

“Forest Hills Municipal Building Award Recognition… Net Zero Municipal Complex”

Tree City Times, July 2019

“Eos Energy’s Turtle Creek manufacturing expansion is under way”

Pittsburgh Post Gazette, September 1, 2023

“Saturday storms cause mass damage, power outages across several local counties”
WPXI, April 1, 2023

The United States used 98 quadrillion BTUs of energy in 2021 - or 16% of the world’s total primary energy consumption.

Only 4% of the world’s population lives in the United States.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
The first mining of bituminous coal in the nation took place on Coal Hill (Mt. Washington) in 1762.
Until the early 1900s the wells in and around Titusville were responsible for half of the world’s oil production.

Westinghouse’s first venture with natural gas began in 1883 at his home in Point Breeze.

Westinghouse’s alternating current electricity made the production and transmission of electricity possible over vast areas.

The Westinghouse Atom Smasher was the first particle accelerator built to be industrialized. It was instrumental in the development in practical applications of nuclear science for energy production.

HISTORY OF ENERGY INNOVATION!

LEADER IN ENERGY INNOVATION!

Photo: Ed Massery

QUICK THREE!

Why has U.S. energy consumption increased over time?

More

people

Higher

GDP than other countries Higher standard of living Traveling farther

Larger homes More consumer goods

Lower energy costs

Easy access

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

What

are the effects of our energy choices?

Energy conservation and renewable energy sources can save money, improve air and water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural resources and habitats

Green

There are 96,317 clean energy jobs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranks 10th for most clean energy jobs in the U.S.

Clean energy jobs are growing 50% faster than the rest of PA’s economy

Allegheny County leads the state with 12,705+ clean energy jobs

2023
Energy Jobs Source: E2 Clean Jobs Pennsylvania
Report
ENERGY EFFICIENCY RENEWABLE GENERATION CLEAN VEHICLES GRID & STORAGE FUELS

Green Energy Jobs

Source: E2 Clean Jobs Pennsylvania 2023 Report

Green Energy Jobs

“Eos Energy Enterprises is embarking upon a $500 million expansion of its Turtle Creek battery manufacturing operation… the New Jersey-based zinc battery maker will have nearly 1,000 people on its payroll by 2026, churning out long-term energy storage systems that are critical to the energy transition.”

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Energy Resilience

Energy resilience is the ability of the grid, buildings, and communities to withstand and rapidly recover from power outages.

Energy Resilience

How much energy does Forest Hills consume?

Building Energy Consumption

Over the course of a year, buildings in Forest Hills consume an estimated

537,891,268 kBTUs

82% 18%

Residential Commercial

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

Residential Energy Consumption

Over the course of a year, residential buildings in Forest Hills consume an estimated

441,828,621 kBTUs

82% 18%

Residential Commercial

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

Forest Hills Residential Snapshot

IN TOTAL

3,465 households

6,454,519 ft2 total square footage

77,348,067 kBTU of electricity consumption (17.5%)

364,480,554 kBTU of natural gas consumption (82.5%)

86.4% heat their homes with natural gas

11.7% heat their homes with electricity

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT; ESRI, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Allegheny County Property Assessments

Forest Hills Residential Snapshot

THE AVERAGE HOME

1942 average year built

1,990 ft2 average size

68.5 kBTU/sf average energy use intensity

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT; Allegheny County Property Assessments

Energy costs

On average, Forest Hills residents spend ~$2,651 on energy annually, which is 3.3% of the median household income.

The average American spends 3.0% of their household income on energy.

Source: ESRI, Consumer Expenditures Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics

3.3%

How do we compare?

Residential energy consumption per capita is…

Forest Hills | 6,328 people

69,821 kBTU/person

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

How do we compare?

Residential energy consumption per capita is…

Forest Hills | 6,328 people

69,821 kBTU/person

Fox Chapel | 5,099 people

Wilkinsburg | 15,366 people

Swissvale | 8,691 people

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

How do we compare?

Residential energy consumption per capita is…

Forest Hills | 6,328 people

69,821 kBTU/person

Fox Chapel | 5,099 people

109,260 kBTU/person

Wilkinsburg | 15,366 people

Swissvale | 8,691 people

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

How do we compare?

Residential energy consumption per capita is…

Forest Hills | 6,328 people

69,821 kBTU/person

Fox Chapel | 5,099 people

109,260 kBTU/person

Wilkinsburg | 15,366 people

68,285 kBTU/person

Swissvale | 8,691 people

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

How do we compare?

Residential energy consumption per capita is…

Forest Hills | 6,328 people

69,821 kBTU/person

Fox Chapel | 5,099 people

109,260 kBTU/person

Wilkinsburg | 15,366 people

68,285 kBTU/person

Swissvale | 8,691 people

67,113 kBTU/person

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

How can we reduce residential energy consumption?

Source: ESRI, RBECs Survey

Intensity of Energy Consumption 16 million kbtu/yr 986 million kbtu/yr
Residential Energy

Commercial Energy Consumption

Over the course of a year, commercial buildings in Forest Hills consume an estimated

96,062,647 kBTUs

82% 18%

Residential Commercial

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, CONNECT

Forest Hills Commercial Snapshot

IN TOTAL

102 commercial buildings

651,712 ft2 total square footage

6,390 ft2 average building square footage

55,383,440 kBTU of electricity consumption (57.5%)

40,679,207 kBTU of natural gas consumption (42.5%)

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, Connect; Allegheny County Property Assessments

Intensity of Energy Consumption 59 million kbtu/yr 5,300 million kbtu/yr Commercial Energy
commercial energy consumption?
ESRI, CBECs Survey
How can we reduce
Source:

What is Forest Hills already doing?

Forest Hills Climate Action Plan

QUIZ!

According to the Forest Hills Climate Action Plan, what year does Forest Hills aim to reach net zero carbon emissions?

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan; CONNECT

Forest Hills Climate Action Plan

Through Proclamation and by action of the Forest Hills

Borough Council, Forest Hills has established a goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions throughout the community by 2050.

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan; CONNECT

Forest Hills Climate Action Plan

Forest Hills emits

51,144 metric tons of Greenhouse Gas emissions, which means the community must reduce emissions by 3.3% annually to reach this goal.

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan; CONNECT

Forest Hills Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile (2017)

Forest Hills Climate Action Plan; CONNECT
Source:

Forest Hills Climate Action Plan

Source: Forest Hills Climate Action Plan;

CONNECT

How can Forest Hills make a difference?

HOW CAN WE MAKE AN IMPACT TOGETHER?

MEASURE CONSERVE

RENEWABLES

MEASURE Benchmark your usage

CONSERVE

Design, right size, and reduce consumption

RENEWABLES

Green energy and energy offsets

Over the course of a year, buildings in Forest Hills consume an estimated

MEASURE

440,707,806 kBTUs

Understand how much energy your building is using and how it is using it.

52%

Residential

48%

Commercial

Source: Energy Star Efficient building design and appropriately sized systems.
Design & Right Size
CONSERVE

Convert to LED lights

Paint roof white Install solar Use alternative transportation Engage in car or bike sharing

Do not idle

Upgrade, tune up, or change filters on your HVAC system

Insulate your attic Recycle Purchase Energy Star and WaterSense

appliances

Turn lights off

Unplug electronics when not in use

Put your thermostat on a schedule

CONSERVE Reduce

Perform an energy audit

Weatherize doors and windows

Homeowners can reduce their energy consumption by

5% - 30% by making efficiency upgrades and changing behavior.

NREL
Source:

CONSERVE Reduce

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Solar

70% of buildings in Forest Hills are candidates for solar arrays.

If every eligible roof installed solar panels, the energy produced would account for ~12% of building energy consumption in Forest Hills.

Source: Google Sunroof

Pay for green energy through your existing utility.

Source: Green Mountain Energy
RENEWABLE ENERGY Offsets
Source: Co-op Power RENEWABLE ENERGY Solar Co-op

REBATES

Weatherization

Appliances

Water Heaters

Smart Thermostats

Heating & Cooling

Appliance recycling

Whole-house energy

LIGHT ENERGY CONSERVATION RESOURCES
DUQUESNE
for more information.
See https://duquesne.clearesult.com/ & https://dlcenergyrebates.com/
RESOURCES
audit Online Marketplace

ALLEGHENY COUNTY UTILITY ASSISTANCE

▪ Contact your utility company to arrange a reduced payment plan.

▪ Apply for a Dollar Energy Fund Grant.

▪ Apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

See https://connect.alleghenycounty.us/housing-shelter/rent-and-utility-resources/ for more information.

This is where Forest Hills is TODAY. What should be different in 2035?

Mobility Education & Technical Analysis

Mobility Context

What do we mean by

MOBILITY?

The ability to move freely and easily.

Walking Riding public transportation

Driving a car

Paddling a kayak

Riding a bicycle

Moving through Forest Hills

Going to Forest Hills

Going to visit family or friends

Going downtown

Going to a Pirates game

What do we mean by ACCESS

?

The ability to pass into and out of a place.

Walking to an entrance

Walking from a bus stop

Walking from a parking area

Being able to walk with a stroller

Having a place to park a bicycle

Having a place to park a car

MOBILITY VS ACCESS

Mobility is the means.

Access is the end.

Photo: Carnegie Mellon University Photo: The Good Brigade/DigitalVision/Getty Images

What’s the difference

between ACCESS and ACCESSIBILITY?

Accessibility is most commonly used to refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessible structures are in compliance with ADA.

Curb ramps

Vehicle ramps or lifts

Designated parking spaces

Automatic doors

Elevators

Circulation ramps

What impacts do MOBILITY and ACCESS?

have on communities

Affordability

Air quality

Energy use

Equity

Greenhouse gas emissions

Land use

Physical health

Social interactivity

Traffic safety

What is a MODE PYRAMID?

An organization or community establishes a mode pyramid to help it make decisions about how to use its resources.

The modern MODE PYRAMID:

Photo: Reverse Traffic Pyramid, Bicycle Innovation Lab

QUICK THREE!

What are benefits of the modern mode pyramid?

● AFFORDABILITY

● AIR QUALITY

● COST TO MAINTAIN

● ENERGY USE

● LAND USE

● PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

When tailpipe emissions and the energy required to manufacture consumer vehicles were combined, motorists generated 40 percent of all U.S. climate pollution in 2019 (the most recent year for which data are available). (Streetsblog)

The US has about 40,000 traffic deaths annually. PA saw a 4.5% increase from 2022 to 2023, for the same period. (NHTSA)

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has committed over $660 billion to transportation investments for the period from 2022 to 2026. (IIJA budget)

QUICK THREE!

Why have traffic deaths been increasing?

● DISTRACTED DRIVING

● DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

● LACK OF HELMET OR SEATBELT

● LARGER VEHICLES

● SPEEDING

“Tall trucks, SUVs are 45% deadlier to US pedestrians, study shows”

Reuters,November14,2023

A Holistic Approach to Mobility + Access Systems

Goals of this approach:

● System users are safe.

● The needs of the most vulnerable system users are met.

● Negative impacts of the system to the environment are minimized.

● The system creates opportunities for people to have positive interactions with the built environment and each other.

Photo: Congress for New Urbanism

SAFE Mobility + Access

Ask yourself: safe for whom?

● Test safety in terms of vulnerable users (e.g. children, older adults, people with disabilities, etc.).

Ask yourself: what tradeoffs are we willing to make to prevent serious injuries and deaths?

EQUITABLE Mobility + Access

Ask yourself:

● Who has been harmed by past decisions?

● Who has the greatest need for a more multimodal system?

Photo: Center for Neighborhood Technology

SUSTAINABLE Mobility + Access

Ask yourself:

● Who will benefit from this sustainable investment?

● Who will be able to utilize this sustainable investment?

● What are the potential downstream impacts of this sustainable investment?

WHO CAN AFFORD ELECTRIC CARS?

CAN E-BIKES REMOVE BARRIERS?

HOW WILL AVS AFFECT WHERE WE LIVE?

Source: Center for Neighborhood Technology

Mobility + Access for PEOPLE

Ask yourself:

● How does the design of our system make it comfortable and easy to use for all people?

● How does the design of our system create opportunities for people to interact with each other?

Source: Center for Neighborhood Technology Photo: Municipal World

DESIGNING FOR ZERO

ZERO DEATHS

● Vision Zero

ZERO BARRIERS

● Access

● Accessibility

ZERO EMISSIONS

● Net Zero

Source:

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Mobility + Access in Forest Hills

“Active Transportation Plan will address pedestrian, bicycle, and non-motorized transportation in Forest Hills”

Tree City Times, April 2021

“Police looking for hit-and-run driver in Forest Hills”

WTAE, April 4, 2021

“Florence Pickels launched Forest Hills bus service for those who needed a ride”

Pittsburgh Post Gazette, May 28, 2019

“Route 30/Ardmore Boulevard Paving in Forest Hills”

WPXI, April 12, 2023

QUIZ!

How long does it take the average Forest Hills resident to get to work?

29 minutes!

Trips to the grocery store, doctor, park, friend’s house, etc.

?

MOBILITY

critical issues & opportunities

How can we increase access to parks via walking?

MOBILITY

critical issues & opportunities

How can we increase access to jobs via walking?

MOBILITY

critical issues & opportunities

How can we increase access to jobs via transit?

transit ridership
Population within 15-min walk toTransit Bus Lines Bus Stops 150 people 13,500 people
MOBILITY critical issues & opportunities How can we increase
and improve experience?

MOBILITY

critical issues & opportunities

How can we create an active transportation network (sidewalks, recreational trails, connecting parks, etc.)?

MOBILITY

critical issues & opportunities

How can we improve traffic safety?

Crash Sites

critical issues & opportunities

How

can we increase transit ridership and improve experience?

MOBILITY
Bus Lines Bus Stops Bus Stop Ridership (11 - 3,404 daily riders per stop)

The foundation blocks of the main business district were those who dared , and succeeded , in establishing businesses along what they hoped would become a busy road

The part of the community near ardmore developed first and was the most dense Ardmore was always envisioned as the backbone of the community

streetcar tracks

And this contributed to the identity of Forest Hills is a through-way

What is Forest Hills already doing?

Forest Hills Active Transportation Plan

All people will be able to move freely and safely about Forest Hills Borough regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel.

System-wide Goals

● Complete the sidewalk network

● Improve conditions for cycling

● Advocate for transit service on Greensburg Pike

● Maintain public steps

● Update borough budget and code

Catalytic Projects

● Improve conditions for walking on Ardmore Boulevard

● Calm traffic on Greensburg Pike

● Improve access for people who walk and ride transit on Brinton Rd

● Complete Streets policy

2021

QUICK THREE!

What has been the biggest impact of your active transportation plan to date?

Forest Hills Complete Streets Policy

The Borough of Forest Hills commits to the development and maintenance of a complete and well-connected transportation network that meets the needs of all residents and provides users of all ages, abilities, and travel modes with safe and convenient access.

Implementation Process

1. Audit and update policies and procedures

2. Review and amend design standards

3. Offer educational opportunities

4. Identify short- and long-term funding

5. Review and update annually

HOW’S IT GOING?

2022

How can we improve access in Forest Hills?

Access to transit can mean access to jobs, schools, goods and services, recreation, and more.

Is this bus stop safe, equitable, sustainable, and designed for people?

Is this sidewalk safe, equitable, sustainable, and designed for people?

Being able to walk to basic goods and services is access.

QUICK THREE!

What can Forest Hills do to improve access?

This is what progress used to look like.

What does it look like now?

This is where Forest Hills is TODAY.

What should be different in 2035?

Next Steps & Activities

PASSPORTS

VISION STATION

This is where Forest Hills is TODAY.

What should be different in 2035?

FH produces its own energy

We are known for having energy jobs

Write your vision for Forest Hills on a post-it note and stick it on the wall!

I don’t need a car

I can go for a family bike ride

“WHAT IF” STATIONS (4)

Whatif…

Forest Hills became a net zero energy neighborhood?

The Forest Hills business district was more energy resilient?

Forest Hills children had zero barriers moving around the community?

You could live in Forest Hills without a car?

Write your vision for Forest Hills on a post-it note and stick it on the wall!

“WHAT IF” STATIONS (4)

What existing energy and mobility assets are

there in Forest Hills?

What do we need to achieve this goal?

Have a conversation with your neighbors and write your thoughts on a post-it note!

Policy incentives

A place where we can go to learn about this

More messengers and experts!

Borough Bldg

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