West Chester, Pa (March 29, 2023) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta was recently honored by the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Pennsylvania) for her work in championing safe, healthy, and sustainable communities.
Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, was presented with AIA Pennsylvania’s inaugural Committee on the Environment (COTE) Award.
According to AIA, the award is given “in recognition of significant contributions to, or support of, the AIA Pennsylvania Committee on the Environment mission to advocate for a healthy, safe, efficient, resilient, and beautiful built environment for the common good.”
In the legislature, Comitta continues to work to institute policies that address the climate crisis, reduce emissions, and transition to a clean energy economy.
“I want to thank AIA Pennsylvania for its ongoing commitment to making our buildings cleaner, healthier, more energy efficient, and less dependent on fossil fuels,” Comitta said. “As we continue to address the growing impacts of climate change, it’s important that architects, builders, and local governments are empowered to work together to decarbonize and create communities that are resilient, sustainable, and equitable.”
Globally, buildings represent nearly 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to AIA. AIA is committed to an actionable climate strategy that provides a set of standards and goals for reaching net zero emissions in the built environment. Through the organization’s 2030 Commitment, more than 1,200 firms, 53 based in Pennsylvania, have committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
In the Pennsylvania Senate, Comitta has supported the rights of local governments to drive building decarbonization in cities, boroughs, and townships.
“Individuals and families want to live and work in clean and healthy buildings,” said Comitta, who also serves as co-chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus. “Swapping fossil fuels for clean and efficient electricity embraces superior technology that’s healthier, safer, often times more affordable, and that can make homes more comfortable.”