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Campus Climate Challenge
This is an overview of campus victories for fall, 2006, compiled by by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). (Details are given below this overview section.) Details Week of 11/23/06 1. Oberlin to Sign Climate Neutral Pledge Oberlin College President Nancy Dye recently pledged her support for the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, which commits Oberlin College to developing a comprehensive plan aimed at achieving a climate neutral campus as soon as possible. Signatories to the ACUPCC commit to developing a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality that includes a target date and interim goals. Signatories also commit to taking some short term actions to reduce emissions and to report publicly on their progress toward achieving climate neutrality. http://www.oberlin.edu/stupub/ocreview/2006/11/17/news/Dye_Makes_Pledge_Climate_N.html 2. Pomona College Biology Building Receives LEED Silver Certification Pomona College's Richard C. Seaver Biology Building has been awarded LEED Silver certification. The $23.5 million, biology building achieved the certification by maximizing natural light filtration with large windows, light shelves and a three-story glass atrium and through the use of high efficiency indoor lighting, photovoltaic panels for solar energy, certified renewable wood, recycled construction materials, low-emitting materials (e.g. adhesives, carpet), and a thermal energy storage system that will help the college to reduce energy use during peak demands. The 46,270-square-foot building opened in January 2005 and exceeds California energy-related design codes by 10 percent, yielding an estimated $75,000 per year in energy savings. http://pomona.edu/events/news/NewsItems/110306greenaward.shtml http://www.tsl.pomona.edu/author.php?article=2010 3. Bates College Joins EPA Green Power Leadership Club The EPA has included Bates in its Green Power Leadership Club, which distinguishes institutions whose power purchases meet or exceed a certain proportion of renewable power. Nearly 96 percent of the power that Bates purchases is from renewable sources, including biomass generation, small hydro and wind power facilities. Bates is the largest purchaser of green power both within the New England Small College Athletic Conference and among all small, private liberal arts colleges in the EPA's Green Power Partnership http://www.bates.edu/x151987.xml 4. Oberlin Adopts Green Building Policy Oberlin College's Board of Trustees has approved a policy stating, "Oberlin will achieve a LEED rating of a least silver for new construction and major renovation projects, unless, with regard to a particular project, it is determined that either doing so would be financially imprudent or that specific alternate steps would allow Oberlin to achieve superior environmental performance at a cost similar to that involved in the LEED standard." http://www.oberlin.edu/news-info/06nov/leed.html 5. Auburn Students Design Green Roof A class of students at Auburn University have designed and installed a green roof. The Green Roof is made up of rows of specially potted native plants that will provide environmental benefits such as reducing carbon dioxide and controlling stormwater runoff. http://www.ocm.auburn.edu/news_releases/greenroof.html 6. Dorm Energy Competition Begins are Harvard Business School Harvard Business School will be holding a Dorm Energy Competition over a 3 week period ending December 11. The dorm with the best combined score for electricity savings and the percent of residents signing a sustainability pledges will win a prize. In addition, all dorms with more than 70 percent of residents signing the sustainability pledge will receive renewable energy credits equivalent to 10 percent of the dorm's total electricity consumption. http://tinyurl.com/t8fkw Week of 11/16/06 1. Sauder School of Business at UBC Launches MBA Specialization in Sustainability and Business The Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia has launched a MBA specialization in Sustainability and Business. The specialization was created through an initial collaboration between the Sauder School of Business and the UBC Faculty of Forestry. Both faculties have seen increased demand from industry, alumni and prospective students for graduate education that recognizes the convergence of business management and leadership skills with environmentally and socially sustainable practices. In its first year, curriculum will be taught by professors from both faculties, and the long-term goal for the specialization is to include experts from other academic areas as well, such as environmental science and geography. "Only with the active engagement of the business community is there any realistic hope that our economic, social, and ecological systems can achieve sustainability. This will require early exposure to the core concepts by embedding them in business school curricula," Peter Nemetz, coordinator for the new specialization, and author of "Bringing Business On Board: Sustainable Development and the B-School Curriculum". http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/news/releases/2006/nov/20061107.cfm http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/mba/program_details/sustainability.cfm Listing of MBA specializations in sustainability (AASHE members only): http://www.aashe.org/resources/grad_business.php 2. Richard Stockton College Plans Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Project The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is currently seeking bids to construct what is believed to be the first commercial-sized aquifer thermal energy storage project in the US. The system is expected to be about 12 times more efficient than traditional cooling systems. It works by pumping groundwater through a cooling tower during winter and storing the chilled water in another part of the aquifer. Since water in an aquifer travels very slowly and tends not exchange heat quickly, the chilled water will stay cold through the summer when it will be used air condition campus buildings. The system is expected to save the College about $90,000 per year and will cost about $1 million to construct. http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/6929142p-6792334c.html http://president.stockton.edu/press/2-18-05aquiferenergystorage.htm 3. Michigan State University Joins Chicago Climate Exchange Michigan State University has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary, legally binding rules-based greenhouse gas emission reduction and trading system. As a member, Michigan State is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 6% below its baseline emissions 1998-2001 by 2010. MSU will be the fifth university to join the CCX, along with Tufts, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota and University of Oklahoma. http://newsroom.msu.edu/site/indexer/2910/content.htm http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=38746 Listing of campus climate commitments: http://www.aashe.org/resources/gw_commitments.php 4. University of Buffalo to Test Hydrogen Fueled Hybrids With support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the University of Buffalo has begun testing two hydrogen fueled hybrid vehicles. The goal is to see how the vehicles perform in cold weather. The cars will be used on and around the campus. http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061112/1071458.asp http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061109/1035985.asp 5. Clark University Students Purchase Renewable Energy Under a new program at Clark University, all students living in campus housing are given the opportunity to pay an additional $30 to purchase wind energy to offset their electricity consumption. Several hundred students participating in the program this year, raising $10,320 for the New England Wind Fund, administered by the nonprofit Mass Energy Consumers Alliance. Through the CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® program the state matches these funds twice for renewable energy programs - once to the City of Worcester and once to a fund benefiting low-income residents throughout Massachusetts. http://www.clarku.edu/offices/publicaffairs/news/press/2006/cleanenergy.cfm 6. Clarion University Installs First Photovoltaic Array Clarion University has installed a high efficiency solar photovoltaic array, which will track the sun and supply electricity to a campus office building. The project is the result of collaboration between a student environmental group, the physics department, and Facilities Planning and Maintenance staff. The majority of the funding for this project came from a generous Solar Scholar Grant provided by the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania. Students will monitor the performance of the solar electrical system. http://news.clarion.edu/News/10928.html Listing of campus solar installations: http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php 7. Maine Campuses Embrace Sustainability A recent Portland Press Herald article describes the sustainability efforts underway on many Maine campuses. In particular, the article highlights: biodiesel and green cleaning initiatives at University of New England, a working ranch at Unity College, the Communal Bike Club at Bowdoin College, a sustainability across the curriculum initiative at University of Southern Maine, composting at University of Maine at Farmington, and the College of the Atlantic's "net zero" greenhouse gas commitment. http://business.mainetoday.com/news/061112sustain.html Week of 11/9/06 1. U.S. Colleges and Universities Form National Coalition on Renewable Energy The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) has established a Higher Education Committee. Chaired by College of the Atlantic President David Hales, the coalition of college and university presidents and academic leaders has called upon American institutions of higher learning to commit to renewable energy by greening their campuses, investing in the industry and teaching future generations about renewable energy. The initial goal of the HEC will be to encourage 100 U.S. colleges and universities to purchase 100% renewable energy by 2010. A second goal is to encourage 100 colleges to invest at least 10% of their endowments into funds which support renewable energy companies by 2010. A third goal is to encourage 100 colleges and universities to create renewable energy courses of study by 2010. http://renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story?id=46505 http://www.acore.org/programs/hec/ 2. Green Initiatives Underway at Christian Colleges & Universities Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) has published an article describing sustainability initiatives underway at some of its member institutions. The article highlights: green buildings at Calvin College, Judson College, Seattle Pacific University; renewable energy at Eastern University and Messiah College; and waste minimization efforts at Point Loma Nazarene University, among others. http://www.cccu.org/news/newsID.492/news_detail.asp 3. University of Buffalo Unveils its First Solar Electric System The University of Buffalo has installed a 73.5 kW solar array on the roof of Norton Hall. The 6,300 square foot system is the largest solar array on any building in Western New York and will generate approximately six percent of the building's annual electrical power consumption. In conjunction with the installation of the solar roof, the university also is launching in its Science and Engineering Library "Energy for the Future," a major educational exhibit about energy alternatives, and a Solar Lounge with graphic and computer-run displays, where a wall of windows provides a close-up view of the new solar roof. The system is being funded in part by a $367,500 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The remaining costs were financed through savings created by a major energy-conservation project now underway. http://www.buffalo.edu/news/fast-execute.cgi/article-page.html?article=82370009 Listing of campus solar installations: http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php 4. Yale Buildings Receive LEED Certification Yale University's Malone Engineering Center has received LEED Gold certification and its Chemistry Research Building to receive a Silver rating in the near future. The Malone Center is Yale's first building to receive LEED certification. The building reclaims wastewater normally sent to the sewer, treats it in a system in the basement and then reuses it to flush toilets. Waste heat and cooling is recovered from the exhaust air to precondition incoming fresh air. A daylight harvesting system controls lighting when ambient daylight is available to supplement light fixtures in the hallways and offices. There are no ozone depleting chemicals in the refrigerants used in the building. The tinted glass of the curtain wall filters out ultraviolet rays to keep the heat from accumulating in the warmer months, and to gain and store heat in the winter. Rainwater falling on the building is collected in an underground retention tank and then slowly released into the ground rather than going into the sewer. Partly as a result of Yale's successful experience with green building, all new buildings are new building designed to meet LEED Silver standards. http://www.yaledailynews.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=34107 http://www.yale.edu/opa/v34.n8/story1.html 5. UC Berkeley Joins the California Climate Action Registry The University of California, Berkeley, has joined the California Climate Action Registry, pledging to measure, report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Three other UC Campuses - San Diego, Santa Barbara and Davis - joined earlier this year. "Our decision to join the climate registry is an important early milestone in our longerterm effort to address the effects our campus has on climate change," said Edward Denton, UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor for Facilities Services. Reporting will begin in 2007. http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2006/11/03_registry.shtml Week of 11/2/06 1. University of Florida Commits to Climate Neutrality University of Florida President Bernie Machen recently announced his intent to be among the first signatories of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Signatories to the ACUPCC commit to developing a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality that includes a target date and interim goals. Signatories also commit to taking some short term actions to reduce emissions and to report publicly on their progress toward achieving climate neutrality. Machen announced the commitment at the inaugural Campus and Community Sustainability Conference which was held at UF. http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061026/LOCAL/210260356/1078/news 2. Green Mountain College Signs up for "Cow Power" Green Mountain College has just announced its enrollment in Central Vermont Public Service's Cow Power$-1õâ program, through which the utility delivers energy created from burning biogas created from cow manure on Vermont dairy farms. The College has committed to designate 50 percent of its main campus electric usage as Cow Power and 100 percent on all its other accounts, which include the president's house, the college farm, the college inn and alumni house, and an off-campus residence hall in Killington, VT. Total Cow Power enrollment will be approximately 1.2 million kilowatt-hours annually. http://www.greenmtn.edu/gmcjournal/pop_102306_cow_power.asp 3. Middlebury College Ski Facility and Ski Teams Go Carbon Neutral Beginning this season, the Middlebury College Snow Bowl will be a carbon neutral ski facility. The College is offsetting electric, gas, propane, diesel and biodiesel usage, as well as skier transportation to and from the ski area. To achieve carbon neutrality, the college has purchased carbon offsets for the ski area's 2006-2007 operations in the amount of $7,138 to compensate for a total of 679.9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The Middlebury alpine and Nordic ski teams have also become carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for the teams' CO2 emissions related to everything from travel to the electricity used to power the coaches' offices. http://www.middlebury.edu/about/pubaff/news_releases/2006/news632977987165870677.htm 4. Georgia Tech Opens Green Building The College of Computing at Georgia Tech recently announced the official opening of the Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building. The 412,000 square-foot facility is designed for LEED Silver certification. Sustainability features include preservation of over 50 percent of the building's site as green space, a storm water collection system for irrigation, and an energy efficient heating and cooling system that will save up to $200,000 annually. http://www.cc.gatech.edu/images/news_articles/2006/bizwire_klaus%20bldg_102606.pdf Week of 10/26/06 1. UC Davis Biogas Energy Project Begins Operation The Biogas Energy Project at UC Davis has begun operation. Each week, the research and technology demonstration facility will process eight tons of leftover food scraps into methane and hydrogen which can be used for energy. The Biogas Energy Project is the first large-scale demonstration in the United States of an "anaerobic phased solids digester," a new type of digester developed by Ruihong Zhang, a UC Davis professor of biological and agricultural engineering. Unlike other digesters, an anaerobic phased solids digester can process a wider variety of wastes at greater speed. http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=7915 2. Duke Announces Construction of 'The Home Depot smarthome' The Duke University and The Home Depot are partnering to create "The Home Depot smarthome," a residential laboratory where students will research and develop innovative solutions for the home in areas such as energy efficiency, waste minimization, environment and health. The facility will be a combination residence hall, undergraduate research laboratory and engineering outreach project that will house 10 upper-class engineering students each year. It will serve as a technology prototype assembly and testing center where students can test new residential technology ideas developed by students. Sustainability features will include cisterns that capture and reuse rainwater and solar panels that track the sun through the day. The dorm has been designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification. The 6,000-square-foot house will be located on the university's Central Campus. Construction has begun, and the house is expected to be completed by fall 2007. http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2006/10/smarthome.html http://www.smarthome.duke.edu/index.php 3. Spelman College Breaks Ground on Green Residence Hall Spelman College recently held a ground breaking for a new green residence hall expected to be completed in Spring 2008. The 201,455 square feet facility is designed to achieve LEED certification. As a result, Spelman is expected to be first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to receive LEED certification. Spelman's President, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum said, "I believe we have an obligation to increase our own environmental responsibility at Spelman and to educate students about it." http://www.theweekly.com/news/2006/October/19/Spelman_College.html Listing of green residence halls (AASHE members only): http://www.aashe.org/resources/residence_halls1.php 4. Solar Panels Installed at CSU Chico Solar panels installed on the roofs of two buildings at CSU Chico recently became operational. The 300 kW system was installed in partnership with SunEdison, a solar energy service provider. SunEdison is covering the $2.8 million cost to install and operate the solar arrays over the course of a 20-year contract with the University. CSU Chico buys the power back from SunEdison at approximately one cent less than its current rate. http://www.csuchico.edu/pa/news/Fall2006/10.23a.2006.shtml http://tinyurl.com/y4p4yt Listing of campus solar installations: http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php 5. University of Colorado at Boulder Provides Monetary Rewards for Energy Conservation University of Colorado at Boulder is rewarding staff members who implement energy-saving strategies in campus buildings. By following five specific program recommendations, winners of the Buff Energy Star Award for fiscal year 2005-2006 helped reduce energy use in three buildings by 5 percent compared to the prior 12 months, paring campus energy costs by more than $90,000. For their efforts, each will receive a one-time $1,000 bonus. To be considered for Buff Energy Star status, building proctors must show a 5 percent energy reduction over the prior year; complete an energy audit; take action based on the audit; post energy and water conservation posters and other educational materials throughout the building; and take an active role in communicating and encouraging resource conservation. http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2006/356.html 6. Yale Purchases Renewable Energy After Students Reduce Energy Consumption Last year, Yale University challenged undergraduates living on campus to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent over three years. In the first year, student were able to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent. As a result of the student efforts, the University was able purchase 10,000 MWh of renewable energy certificates, equivalent to two-thirds of the electricity used by the residential colleges last year. http://www.yaledailynews.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=33915 7. 3 South Carolina Universities Receive Green Building Awards Clemson University, Furman University, and the University of South Carolina each received a Leadership Award from the USGBC South Carolina Chapter. The Leadership Awards recognize outstanding organizations that have shown vision, leadership and commitment to the advancement of green building and construction in South Carolina. Clemson's Advanced Materials Research Laboratory was the first public/state-funded project in South Carolina to be LEED Certified and the first certified at the Silver level. Furman University's Hipp Hall was the first LEED Certified and is still the only Gold Rated building in South Carolina. University of South Carolina's LEED Silver West Quad Dormitory is one of the largest green residence halls in the US. http://chapters.usgbc.org/southcarolina/documents/postawardsrelease10-18-06.pdf http://www.furman.edu/press/pressarchive.cfm?ID=3909 http://clemsonews.clemson.edu/WWW_releases/2006/October/green_building.html Week of 10/19/06 1. Arizona State University Launches School of Sustainability Arizona State University has announced the creation of a new degree granting School of Sustainability. The new school is at the center of a university-wide, interdisciplinary initiative to find solutions to the most pressing sustainability issues the planet faces. The School, which begins enrolling students in January, will offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in sustainability. Within five years, the school expects to have 450 undergraduate students and 50 students each in its master's and doctoral degree programs. The curriculum builds upon an existing base at ASU that includes 300 courses, 80 degree programs and 170 research projects that involve sustainability. http://www.asu.edu/news/stories/200610/20061004_sustainability.htm http://www.aacu.org/aacu_news/AACUNews06/October06/feature.cfm 2. Los Angeles Community College District Announces Major Solar Initiative Los Angeles Community College District has announced plans to install 1 MW of solar generating capacity on each of its 9 campuses. The solar panels should provide enough electricity to completely power each campus. The district also plans to build a renewable energy Central Plant and add "sustainability curriculum" at each campus. The plans were announced at the Solar Power 2006 conference in San Jose. http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_290182549.html Listing of campus solar installations: http://www.aashe.org/resources/solar_campus.php 3. Plymouth State University Opens Energy Efficient Dorm Plymouth State University recently dedicated the Langdon Woods Residence Hall. This $29 million new building features a layout that follows the contour of the land on-site, preserving wetlands and other water elements while allowing maximum sunlight exposure for energy conservation. The brick, wood and glass building is outfitted with energy and water conserving fixtures and systems, including some waterless urinals. Heat is provided through a co-generation plant housed next door. These features will mean 58 percent less energy use and a 36 percent reduction in water use than an equivalent conventional building. PSU intends to pursue LEED Gold certification for the building. http://www.plymouth.edu/thirdtier/fullstory.phtml?number=5081 Listing of green residence halls (AASHE members only): http://www.aashe.org/resources/residence_halls1.php 4. 3 Pennsylvania Campuses Receive Energy Harvest Grants Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell recently announced $5.1 million to support 27 projects that will advance the deployment of clean energy technologies, lessen the nation's dependence on foreign fuels, and significantly reduce air and water pollution. Among these were three campus projects. West Chester University of Pennsylvania received a $248,458 for a ground-source (geothermal) heat pump heating and cooling system for a 50,000-square-foot building renovation. Dickinson College received $250,000 to construct a 60.28-kilowatt array of photovoltaic cells on the roof of the College's Facilities Management building. Susquehanna University received $ 150,000 to purchase and demonstrate an innovative steam/condensate pre-insulated piping system to save energy and reduce emissions. http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&;Q=457019 5. University of Washington to Create Endowed Professorship in Sustainability University of Washington has announced that it will create an endowed professorship in sustainability within the College of Architecture and Urban Planning. The professor will be expected to take a multidisciplinary approach, linking the sustainable design activities of the departments of architecture, construction management, landscape architecture, and urban design and planning with the environmental work of other schools and colleges at the university. Funding for the professorship comes from the Seattle architecture firm Mithun and the Russell Family Foundation. http://www.djc.com/news/en/11183004.html?cgi=yes 6. Seattle University Signs Seattle Climate Partnership Seattle University recently signed the Seattle Climate Partnership, a voluntary agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The University has already taken a number of steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including purchasing 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. In addition, energy conservation measures undertaken by the University have saved more than eight million kilowatt hours since first adopted in 1993. http://www.seattleu.edu/home/news_events/news/news_detail.asp?elID=1011200642907&;elYear=2006 7. Penn State Creates Biomass Energy Center In an effort to enhance coordination and collaboration among the many and varied green energy research projects under way and planned across the University, Penn State recently created the Biomass Energy Center. An interdisciplinary initiative that also includes the Eberly College of Science, the College of Engineering and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the center will be housed in the College of Agricultural Sciences' Environment and Natural Resources Institute. The focus of the Biomass Energy Center will be to coordinate and facilitate research and outreach across the university, building teams to address the complete value chain of biomass energy systems. http://live.psu.edu/story/20199 8. Milwaukee Area Technical College Planning On Campus Wind Turbine Installation Milwaukee Area Technical College has received approval from a local planning commission to install a 160-foot tall, 90 kW wind turbine on its Mequon Campus. The installation is a Renewable Energy Technology Education Center initiative designed to educate students and the public about renewable energy technologies. The wind tower, which is expected to provide about 8 percent of the campus' electricity, will cost about $150,000, with about $57,000 coming from a grant from the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. The college expects to recoup its investment within eight years or less at current energy prices. As a separate demonstration and educational piece, RETEC also will include two 1-kilowatt solar cell panels. Construction is expected to begin this fall. http://matc.edu/matc_now/retec.html SORRY, RAN OUT OF ROOM HERE ... Source We were unable to include the full list, but you can get it in pdf format here. |
