Dan Onorato, Democrat Gubernatorial contender, has been brandishing his “green cred” in Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato unveiled the County’s latest green building effort today, a green roof covering half of the County Office Building.The $620,000 project covers 8,400 square feet of the roof with a multilayered system that cools the building and absorbs storm water runoff. Onorato says he hopes the stimulus-funded development sets an example for other downtown buildings. …
Onorato says the county is projecting about $6,500 in cost savings for the month of July because of the green roof’s cooling effect on the building. [emphasis added]

Here’s my question: If this project is a no-brainer in terms of cost-benefit, why couldn’t Allegheny County have paid for it using a traditional loan/repayment mechanism? Why were stimulus funds required to get this project off the ground?

And if this project is something that should be replicated — and if it can be without more stimulus — why should a press conference be necessary? Why not simply begin similar projects across all government property in the county?

Onorato also touted the region’s first “green” festival.

“The Allegheny Green & Innovation Festival is an exciting new event that will celebrate our region’s environmental and economic transformation,” said Dan Onorato …
The “zero-waste” event will feature earth-friendly food, “green living” demonstrations, entertainment and children’s activities.
According to Onorato, residents will be able to learn simple steps to conserve energy and water in their homes and how to live a healthy lifestyle. …
The Allegheny County Library Association is hosting a book swap that will allow visitors to “bring a book, leave a book, need a book, take a book.”

Let’s review: “Earth-friendly food” (i.e., vegetarian), how to “conserve energy and water” (turn off lights and water), and “how to live a healthy lifestyle” (buy fresh, buy local). And let’s not forget the book swap (sharing).

Am I missing the part where Onorato showcased “environmental and economic transformation”?