A first study of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center’s “green building” features has uncovered a quirk in its electrical system that has cost taxpayers $70,000 to $100,000 a year in wasted-power penalties charged by Duquesne Light Co. since 2003 Known as a “power correction factor penalty,” the extra charge shows the 1.5 million-square-foot center does not run as efficiently as possible and that wasted electricity accounted for 6 percent to 8 percent of its yearly bill, which was $1.27 million in 2010.
The $373 million center’s website touts its LEED Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council and includes the slogan “Built Green. Working Green. Every day!”