Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities to Hold Alternative Fuel Event

Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities is taking part in Odyssey Day this year, a nationwide event to help educate people others about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

Odyssey Day occurs every two years and is part of a West Virginia University program, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium. Fleet managers, municipalities, corporations and others gather to learn about the new technologies that contribute to solving our nation’s growing energy security and environmental issues. More than 125 sites across the country will join together to further this cause.

President of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, Rick Price says they are part of the cause because the Western Pennsylvania area makes up a large part of vehicle fuel usage.

He says at the event, there will be a number of presentations talking about alternative transportation and technologies that would lower the use of oil-based fuels. There will be over 20 alternative fueled vehicles on display, with representatives there to answer questions. “We have natural gas, propane, flexible fuel, hybrids, electric and bio-diesel vehicles.”

Price says anyone involved or interested in alternative fuel projects should attend the event. “The idea of what Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities is about is we’re trying to reduce the amount of fuel we use here in the United States.”

The free event will be held at the West Hills Center of the Community College of Allegheny County on October 15 from 10 am to 1 pm. No prior registration is required.

No Tuition Hike For CCAC Students from Allegheny County

The Board of Trustees of the Community College of Allegheny County has approved a $116 million budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The spending plan includes no tuition increase for the second straight year for Allegheny County residents. CCAC President Alex Johnson says in-county tuition will remain at $82.25 per credit.....
“CCAC recognizes that although economic indicators may be improving, the reality is still difficult financial times for many Allegheny County residents. We are able to hold in-county tuition steady thanks to a lean budget and strong support from County Executive Dan Onorato and the members of Allegheny County Council.”
The county committed to a 2% increase in its appropriation for the college. However, state support for community colleges was cut slightly this past year.
While in-county tuition will hold steady, the budget includes an $11 per credit increase in tuition...to $139 per credit....for residents of Pennsylvania counties without a community college.

CCAC Study: We're a Good Investment

The Community College of Allegheny County is releasing numbers that show for nearly every dollar spent on the school system, the county sees a ten dollar return. David Hoovler, Director of Public Relations says their Planning and Institutional Research Department found that the system's expenditures resulted in a $147 million dollar impact through jobs in the county over the past fiscal year. They equated that to $6.89 for every dollar the county spent on the system that year. Coupled with an average of $2.96 from the state and federal governments for each dollar, they came up with $9.85 return on the dollar. Hoovler says CCAC supported more than 6,000 jobs in the county and brought almost $62 million in state and federal funding to Allegheny County in 2008/2009.

Hoovler says they conducted the study to update Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials on the financial status of the school, and while it is not an appeal for more funding, he says could always use financial help. He cites a jump in enrollment–up 11% this spring–which means an increase in tuition dollars, covering only a third of the cost of educating a student at CCAC.

Free Online Tax Filing Events

The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and Allegheny County Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty are partnering to sponsor a free two-day program that will give residents the opportunity to file taxes on computers.
CCAC Spokesperson David Hoovler says it’s to provide the e-filing program to low-income residents that need access to a computer. Volunteers from CCAC will be there to assist in navigating the E-Filing program, while local representatives from accounting firms and from the Controller’s Office to aid in filing questions.
The following dates are:

Thursday, February 26th
Allegheny Campus, 808 Ridge Avenue
North Campus, 8701 Perry Highway

Thursday, March 26th
Boyce Campus, 595 Beatty Road in Monroeville
South Campus, 1750 Clairton Road (Route 885) in West Mifflin

This event is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 888-443-4615.