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Pittsburgh Positioned To Lead US In Next-Generation Energy

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The city made a big announcement today in terms of the future of energy solutions.

Mayor Bill Peduto called today a historic one for Pittsburgh, after signing a memorandum of understanding.

With the stroke of a pen, Peduto signed what he and the US Department of Energy expect to be a fruitful relationship.

"Now we have an opportunity to be the world leader when we think of 21st Century urban energy – how we're producing it," he said.

The mayor, along with the US Secretary of Energy and Rep. Mike Doyle, toured the energy center in the Hill District, where the National Energy Technology Laboratory plans on setting up one of its labs.

There, local government, universities, energy providers and others will develop ways to upgrade Pittsburgh's aging infrastructure with new technologies.

"From natural gas production, center of nuclear power tech all this work on efficiency combine heat and power, there is so much going on," said Sec. Ernest Moniz.

The link positions Pittsburgh to lead the nation in next-generation energy strategies.

"Pittsburgh is on the grid so to speak down in Washington, DC especially where energy is concerned and I think we have a bright future ahead if we continue on the path that we've started with the energy innovation center and the partnerships that we've built," said Rep. Doyle.

Today's announcement kicks off a week of political heavy hitters visiting the Steel City with Pres. Obama and Hillary Clinton both slated to come into town next week.

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