Some 150 local business leaders gathered at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center yesterday to mark the launch of a new network for "clean technology" companies in Western Pennsylvania.

The Cleantech Network is the newest initiative of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Council President and Chief Executive Officer Audrey Russo said the network is being created to fill the need for "a unified regional voice promoting the unique interests of our region's clean technology industries."

"Clean tech," which has emerged in recent years as a catch phrase, is defined by authors Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder in their book, "The Clean Tech Revolution," as any product, service or process that delivers value using limited or zero nonrenewable resources and/or creates significantly less waste than conventional offerings."

Yesterday's gathering included a keynote speech by the secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, Kathleen A. McGinty, who praised the creation of the network as consonant with Gov. Ed Rendell's energy independence strategy, an $850 million legislative package designed to encourage energy efficiency and the development of non-fossil-fuel energy sources.

Referring to the state's commitment to derive 30 percent of its energy from such sources, Ms. McGinty said, "We'll be up to 32 percent if somebody's going to build something clean and new. It's not just about the environment. It's the $3.50 and $3.60 at the pump that every consumer sees. It's also the fact that America is in a very vulnerable position."

The network will help member companies to develop relationships with investors and to leverage government funds; advocate for public policies that support the growth of the region's "clean tech" economy; educate members on how they can reduce their energy costs; and encourage collaboration with other clean tech organizations in the region.

Colin Huwyler, co-founder of Fossil Fuels LLC, which converts diesel vehicles to run on vegetable oil, said that he hopes the network can help his firm, entering its second year, to move beyond doing conversions for individuals to developing commercial and industrial clients, "folks who have a significant number of diesel vehicles."

Miranda S. Berner, project manager at New Castle-based Berner Energy Recovery Inc., hailed the formation of the network as an indicator that "people are looking beyond first costs and looking at total costs" when considering such issues as designing or retrofitting buildings to make them more green.

"The other piece you have to balance all this energy efficiency with is the health and comfort side," she said. "Really, it's all about people."