Mayoral candidate Bill Peduto says a green bank to help developers finance green building costs would take about two weeks to set up.

“All you need is a dedicated person at the URA who works on sustainability issues,” he told me.

That Urban Redevelopment Authority employee would help developers — probably mostly small developers — identify state and federal grants and incentives that would allow them to build green.

That’s the missing link — the coordination, Peduto said. That’s what keeps most small developers from taking advantage of programs that pay for green performance.

Plus, there would be a fund balance to help with financing, which might come from local foundations, Peduto imagines.

The Pittsburgh city councilman proposed this CleanTech Investment Fund as part of his 100 days/100 policies to change Pittsburgh blitz.

In an earlier installment, #48, Peduto proposed developing energy benchmarks for all city buildings.

“Then the city should start working with partners in the nonprofit and private sectors to pioneer a comprehensive program to drive down energy usage and drive up property values across the city,” he said.

via Peduto pitches green building fund – Pittsburgh Business Times.