The Pittsburgh City Council recently approved one green building incentive and introduced another that they hope will help further Pittsburgh's reputation as a green-friendly city. 

Under the newly-approved legislation, buildings certified as "green" under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the United States Green Building Council could be as much as 20 percent higher, and have 20 percent more floor space than noncertified new buildings in their zoning areas. In neighborhood commercial districts, a public hearing and Planning Commission vote would be required before the extra height and floor plan would be allowed.

Under separate legislation, a newly-introduced bill would require that any large project involving new construction or renovation undertaken by the city get a green-building rating of silver. Any private development backed by a city tax-increment financing subsidy would also have to get the rating. The need for public hearings could put off a vote until next year. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07324/835302-113.stm Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 29, 2007