Pennsylvania State U Awarded $129 Mil for Energy Innovation Hub
Pennsylvania State University has been awarded up to $129 million in federal funding to develop an energy innovation hub at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The grant, to be paid over the next five years, will fund energy-efficient building design research with a focus on how to improve energy efficiency and cut pollution in the construction, maintenance and management of buildings. A particular emphasis will be placed on training workers to retrofit old buildings. The project is expected to create and retain 100,000 jobs over the next five to 10 years.
Pierce College Plans for 3 Solar Arrays
Pierce College (CA) will install three new photovoltaic arrays on campus. The $8.7 million project is part of a six-year lease of the new equipment, after which the Los Angeles Community College District will assume ownership of the lease.
Redstone College Creates Wind Energy Curriculum
Redstone College (CO) has created a new wind energy technology program. The 15-month curriculum includes hands-on learning with test equipment and troubleshooting for wind turbine installation, testing and repair. The college will use a wind turbine that has been converted to a ground-floor wind lab.
Richard Stockton College Creates Green Parking Lot
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is foregoing the traditional asphalt used for parking lots in favor of a porous surface of plastic grids. The 1.86-acre parking lot will feature recycled polyethylene grid sections that lock together to form a surface that supports cars and light trucks. A mixture of top soil and EcoSoil—a composted blend of yard waste collected by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority—will fill the open spaces in the grids, allowing for grass to germinate. Rainfall will soak through the parking lot without the need for storm drains.
Southern Texas U Begins Solar Installation
Southern Texas University has begun installing a new solar demonstration. Partnering with the university, Evolution Solar will install eight thin-film photovoltaic panels on the campus that are intended to serve as a cornerstone of the new Green Technology Center. Students will be included in the installation process.
SUNY College Enviro Science and Forestry Turns Butter into Fuel
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) will turn an 800-pound sculpture made entirely of butter into biodiesel. The sculpture, which debuted at the New York State Fair, presents the future of dairy farming as an environmentally friendly endeavor and will end up as fuel for the ESF vehicle fleet. This is the third year that the college will turn butter into fuel as an extension of ESF's ongoing initiative that turns frying oil from campus dining services into biodiesel.
U Arizona Recreation Center Receives LEED Platinum
The University of Arizona's Recreation Center has been awarded LEED Platinum certification. The $27.6 million, 55,000-square-foot building's location and established programs support and encourage mass transit, walking and bicycling. Sustainable features include solar panels, preferred parking for low-emission vehicles and a water runoff site where rain is funneled to planting areas or directed to a rock pile beneath the ground.
U Michigan Offers Single-Stream Recycling
The University of Michigan has announced plans to offer single-stream recycling. The new system will allow paper and container recyclables to be collected in the same bin. New materials that can be recycled in the program include all plastics except for No. 3, plastic grocery bags, plastic films and plastic foam.
U North Texas Dallas Opens Green Building
The University of North Texas at Dallas has opened its newest green building. The 103,000-square-foot building was designed to meet LEED Gold standards. Sustainable features include a 60,000-gallon rainwater cistern to irrigate the campus, passive solar design, a roof garden and 448 solar panels expected to produce 100.4 kilowatts of power.
U Victoria Achieves LEED Gold
The University of Victoria's Social Sciences and Mathematics building has been awarded LEED Gold certification from the Canada Green Building Council. The building features two green roofs and patio gardens to help insulate and capture rain and moisture. Other sustainable features include energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation, and showers and lockers for bicyclists.
U Wyoming Debuts Green Building and Gardens
The University of Wyoming has opened the Bim Kendall House, a 1950s office building that was renovated to house the university's environment and natural resources program. Sustainable features include a passive ventilation system, photovoltaic system, cork and rubber flooring, recycled and re-used construction materials and energy-efficient windows. Twenty-five percent of the construction waste was recycled. The building is intended as a model for residential and small-scale institutional green design with native plant gardens that feature rain chains mounted to the gutter to move water from the roof to the landscaping below.
Washington U St. Louis Opens Green Dining Services
Washington University, St. Louis (MO) has opened a new dining facility. Sustainable initiatives include sensor lighting, reusable food boxes and a compost system. Excess food will be donated to a local food bank and the waste oil will be converted to biofuel for dining services vehicles. The university will also place a priority on the use of local food.
Appalachian State U Provides Energy Tours to School Groups
Appalachian State University (NC) has begun offering tours of its various energy projects to local school groups. Conducted by the university’s Wind Applications Center, tour stops include the university’s wind turbine, biodiesel processing facility, energy-efficient dwelling and photovoltaic solar array. Interactive features of the tour include the chance for students to make their own electricity to light a light bulb by pedaling a bike that is connected to a generator. Students also learn how alternative and renewable energy is good for the environment and its increasing role in consumer energy use.
Bluffton U Dining Services Goes Green
Bluffton University's (OH) Dining Services has announced plans to become more sustainable. In an effort to reduce food waste and water usage, the department will no longer use trays, and will switch to fair trade coffee and tea. The university will also use paper products and stir sticks made from recycled materials.
Central Carolina CC Opens Sustainable Technology Center
Central Carolina Community College (NC) will open the doors of its new Sustainable Technologies Building in September. The college will share the building, which will house several college programs including sustainable technology, sustainable agriculture and biofuels production, with the Chatham County Public Library. The biofuels area will include both a production facility and research lab for students. The building uses a wastewater reuse system and features a green roof to reduce energy costs.
Clemson U Starts Healthy Campus Initiative
From a campus bike share program to recyclable cafeteria to-go containers, Clemson University (SC) will kick off the school year with the Healthy Campus project. Targeting environmentally conscious students and those who struggle to remain active and healthy, the initiative takes a personal approach to sustainability. In an effort to keep fitness levels up, the university is working with engineers to make the campus more pedestrian friendly to encourage walking. Clemson Housing is also working with Students for Environmental Action to start a new on-campus live-in, learn-in community. The university's EcoPlex will serve as the pilot building for the learn-in community, featuring energy-efficient heating and cooling, reduced water use and on-site recycling.
College of William and Mary Enhances Campus Recycling
The College of William and Mary (VA) is expanding its campus-wide recycling efforts. The college has added 1,000 new recycling containers across campus to collect paper, glass, plastic bottles and aluminum or tin cans. The college will also coordinate all indoor and outdoor collection through facilities management and residential life.
Faulkner State CC Opens Green Science Building
Faulkner State Community College (AL) has announced the opening of its Allied Health and Natural Science Building. The $7.3 million, 45,000-square-foot building will seek LEED Silver certification and is expected to reduce energy costs by 38 percent. The new building will house the college’s nursing program and other classrooms.
Haywood CC to Offer Green Building Curriculum
Offered through the JobsNOW program and a grant from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, Haywood Community College (NC) will offer an eight-week course on the Fundamentals of Green Building this fall. The course is designed to help construction workers and contractors land work in the emerging green construction industry. The course will cover theories, practices and materials used in green building. Students will work on a model green home being built on the campus.
Humboldt State U Expands Recycling Efforts
Humboldt State University's (CA) student-initiated Campus Recycling Program has changed its name to the Waste Reduction and Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) to reflect its growing efforts. The program now includes a reusable office supply exchange, composting, tap water promotion efforts and advocates for zero waste campus events.
Kansas City Kansas CC Reduces Mowing
Kansas City Kansas Community College has reduced mowing campus grounds from once every 10 days to twice a year. Environmentally, the uncut fields reduce carbon emissions and create a habitat for wildlife. Financially, the reduced mowing saves the college manpower, fuel and maintenance costs.
Meredith College Debuts Environmental Sustainability Major
Meredith College (NC) will offer an interdisciplinary major focused on environmental sustainability this fall. The undergraduate program will focus on three foundations: natural and mathematical sciences, social sciences, and economics and communication. Students will have the opportunity to tailor a program that fits their professional interests. A wide variety of liberal art courses will be offered including environmental ethics, economics and politics, along with research or internship experience.
Montgomery County CC Receives Kresge Fellowship
Montgomery County Community College (PA) has received a 2010 Kresge Foundation Fellowship Award. The fellowship program provides college and university executives with the information and networks necessary to become successful green building leaders for their institutions. The foundation focuses on assessing some of the critical challenges faced by under-resourced colleges and universities to implement green building on their campuses.
New York U Pilots Student-Initiated Bike Share Program
New York University has kicked off the pilot phase of its bike share program. With support from the university's Sustainability Office, a group of students designed the program with the long-term goal of lowering barriers like cost and experience for campus bicyclists. At the start of the university's academic year, bikes will be available in several residence halls for rental by students, staff and faculty. The program will expand based on demand.
Owens CC Receives Renewable Energy Grant
Owens Community College has been awarded a $96,000 Renewable Energy Grant from the Ohio Department of Development to advance the college's alternative and renewable energy initiatives. The grant will be used to offset the installation costs of the college's recently installed 120-foot wind turbine.
Princeton Review Names Green Rating Honor Roll Institutions
The Princeton Review has named 18 institutions to its 2011 Green Rating Honor Roll for receiving the highest possible score in its Green Rating tallies this year. Green Ratings are a measure of how environmentally friendly an institution is on a scale of 66 to 99. Ratings for 703 institutions were tallied based on surveys concerning green practices, policies and academic offerings. The top 18 schools are Arizona State University; College of the Atlantic (ME); Evergreen State College (WA); Georgia Institute of Technology; Harvard University (MA); Northeastern University (MA); Northland College (WI); State University of New York, Binghamton University; Unity College (ME); University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Santa Barbara; University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Georgia; University of Maine; University of Maryland, College Park; Warren Wilson College (NC); West Virginia University; and Yale University (CT).
Richland College Installs Grease and Oil Recycling Station
Dallas County Community College District and Dallas Water Utilities have announced the installation of a cooking grease and oil recycling station at Richland College (TX). The cooking oil and grease recycling program is part of an effort to reduce the number of sewer pipe blockages in a sustainable way. Collected cooking oil will be used to make biodiesel for Dallas County school buses.
San Francisco State U Creates Green Move-In Day
San Francisco State University (CA) students and their families were asked to reduce waste on campus to achieve a sustainable move-in. Parents were encouraged to take cardboard boxes home to be re-used, or to drop them in recycling bins behind each residence building. Coat hangers saved from last year’s residents were available for free at residence building community desks.
Spring Hill College Student Center Achieves LEED Certification
Spring Hill College (AL) has opened its first LEED-certified building. Environmentally friendly features of the college's student center reduce the building's energy needs by 14 percent, including recycled building materials, low-VOC paint, passive solar design, and water-efficient plumbing fixtures and landscaping. The center houses a variety of offices, lounges and dining services.
U Minnesota Receives $8 Million for Wind Turbine Installation
As part of an overall $24 million grant for institutional wind research from the U.S. Department of Energy and wind trade groups, the University of Minnesota has been awarded $8 million to install a 2.5-megawatt wind turbine in December. The turbine will provide university officials with an opportunity to study energy capture and operational capabilities. The university also hopes to create undergraduate courses focusing on wind energy and renewable energy technologies.
U New Hampshire Installs Low-Flow Plumbing in Residence Halls
The University of New Hampshire has installed low-flow toilet valves, showerheads and sink faucets in three residence halls. In 2009, the three dorms used an estimated 21 million gallons. With the new plumbing, the university expects to save more than five million gallons of water a year.
U Washington Offers New Online Sustainability Certificate
The University of Washington will offer certificates in Organizational Strategies for Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment this fall. The first program will assist in the development of sustainability goals in an organization by designing and implementing strategies, policies, plans and processes. The Life Cycle program will teach students how to track a product, service or policy throughout its life cycle, and measure its impact on environmental and economic structures. Both certificate programs will be offered online.
Wake Forest U Offers 10 Green Move-In Tips
Wake Forest University (NC) has offered 10 steps to a greener college move-in. To reduce the amount of cardboard boxes, Styrofoam packing materials and heaps of unanticipated duplicates that end up in the trash, the university offers examples including the recycling and reuse of school supplies, and the use of pillowcases and sheets to pack clothing in.
Wake Forest U Opens Green Residence Hall
Wake Forest University (NC) has opened its newest residence hall, designed and built to meet LEED Silver certification standards. The building includes solar panels on the roof to heat water and touch screens in the hallways for monitoring energy usage. Other sustainable features include passive solar design, double-paned aluminum windows, dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and rain gardens. Fifty percent of all construction materials were recycled.
West Virginia U Installs Energy Saving Virtual Desktop Devices
West Virginia University has installed virtual desktop devices called thin clients on 45 computer monitors in its law library and computer lab. Thin clients are small metal boxes that connect to a remote server and contain a processor and memory and video card like a desktop computer, but have no operating system, drivers, software or moving parts. This technology is expected to save the university energy, maintenance, licensing and software costs.
Willamette U Student Farm Supplies Dining Services with Produce
Willamette University’s (OR) student farm has begun supplying the campus’ food-service provider, Bon Appétit, with sustainably-grown produce. A group of students interested in farming and sustainable agriculture created the garden a year ago, which now produces lettuce, garlic, arugula, beans, potatoes and peas. Organizers hope the farm will become a community resource by providing a place to conduct sustainable agriculture research and host food-related classes for students and residents.
Antioch U New England Adopts Responsible Purchasing Policy
With an emphasis on social justice criteria relative to accessibility, inclusion, ethical production and local purchasing, Antioch University New England (NH) has adopted a responsible purchasing policy. The policy sets standards that aim to reduce campus waste and greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the local economy by buying regional products and services. The university’s Sustainability and Social Justice Committee will continually revisit the policy for updates based on in-house research and outreach.
Antioch U New England Offers Social Justice Concentration
Antioch U New England’s (NH) environmental studies graduate program has announced a new concentration in advocacy for social justice and sustainability. The program is tailored to recent graduates and professionals who have a strong interest in working as public interest advocates and grassroots organizers. Students are immersed in an interactive, collaborative learning environment that centers on political analysis and strategy, nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship.
Arizona State U Expands Recycling Program
Arizona State University’s Waste Management has expanded its recycling program to help reach its goal of zero solid waste. The university is now equipped to handle pizza boxes, glass, soft plastic bags, liquid-free paper cups, vinyl banners, corrugated plastic signs, metal odds and ends and non aerosol cans. Waste Management is working to keep 90 percent of the items collected out of the landfill.
Berry College Residence Halls Earn LEED Gold
Two Berry College (GA) residence halls have achieved LEED Gold certification. Housing around 350 students, Audrey B. Morgan and Deerfield halls are the first LEED certified buildings on the campus. Environmentally friendly features of the buildings include low-flow showerheads, faucets and washers; motion sensor lights and thermostats; and LED lighting fixtures.
Central Michigan U Student Creates Community Garden, Ed Program
A Central Michigan University senior has created the Campus Grow project, which focuses on an organic community garden and composting. The project offers the community sustainable alternatives to the industrial food system through access to healthy local food and educational gardening opportunities. The Campus Grow team focuses on growing and harvesting food in two organic gardens on campus. Food scraps are collected from residential restaurants to create compost for the gardens. The gardens are used to grow a variety of vegetables and plots are rented out by students, faculty and community members.
Creighton U Installs Solar Panels
Creighton University (NE) has installed solar panels as part of a $2.6 million project funded mostly by the federal government. The panels will produce approximately 110 kilowatts of power, enough to power about 30 average houses. The solar panels, along with four new wind turbines, will supply four percent of campus electricity. The alternative energy technology is expected to save the university $60,000 in annual utility costs.
Harvard U Grad School of Education Hall Receives LEED Platinum
Harvard University's (MA) Larsen Hall has received LEED for Commercial Interiors Platinum certification. The renovation of the Graduate School of Education's 7,006-square-foot classroom building includes occupancy sensors to vary temperature within the space, a heat recovery unit to increase energy efficiency and low-flow plumbing fixtures. Ecological friendly materials were used during construction.
Kern CC District to Expand Renewable Technologies Training
Kern Community College District (CA) has received funding that will allow the district to expand renewable technologies training at Bakersfield College, Porterville College and Cerro Coso College. San-Diego based wind energy producer, enXco, has pledged $160,000 in scholarship and internship money. In addition, the college district has received a $707,000 state grant and $2.4 million in federal money.
Linn State Technical College Uses Clean-Burning Lawn Equipment
Linn State Technical College (MO) has received environmentally friendly propane-fueled lawn equipment for its Commercial Turf and Grounds Management program. Propane-fueled mowers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48 percent over gasoline-powered mowers. The equipment was donated by the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council.
Pellissippi State CC Debuts Green Campus
Pellissippi State Community College (TN) has opened a new environmentally friendly campus. Green features include bicycle racks, showers for bicycle riders, reserved parking and charging stations for electric vehicles, passive solar design, light sensors, added insulation and recycled materials. The facility was recently awarded the Nashville Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for successful environmental projects and conservation measures.
Philander Smith College Receives Grant for Social Justice Center
Philander Smith College (AR) has received a $1.2 million grant from the Kresge Foundation to help establish the Center for Social Justice. The grant will help fund the staff needed to oversee the college’s social justice initiative. An executive director and program staff will train faculty to infuse social justice into their curricula.
Salem State U Opens Green Residence Hall
Salem State University (MA) has announced the opening of a new 158,000-square-foot residence hall designed to achieve LEED Silver or Gold certification. The $57.5 million Marsh Hall project will house 525 students. The building has green features including the use of sustainable building materials, a green roof and the use of renewable energy. The hall was built near a former landfill and will help restore a marsh.
Sierra Magazine Names 'Coolest Schools'
Sierra, the official magazine of the Sierra Club, has released its fourth annual ranking of America's greenest campuses. Eleven-page questionnaires were sent to 900 colleges and universities, asking them to detail their sustainability efforts. After consulting the club's conservation experts, the magazine gave more weight to each school's energy supply. As a result, this year's top 20 includes nine newcomers. The top 20 schools, in order, are: Green Mountain College (VT); Dickinson College (PA); Evergreen State College (WA); University of Washington; Stanford University (CA); University of California, Irvine; Northland College (WI); Harvard University (MA); College of the Atlantic (ME); Hampshire College (MA); University of California, Santa Cruz; Middlebury College (VT); University of Colorado, Boulder; Warren Wilson College (NC); University of California, San Diego; University of California, Davis; University of Vermont; University of Pennsylvania; New York University; and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Stanford U Treats Wastewater With Rocket Science
Engineers at Stanford University (CA) have designed a self-powering wastewater treatment plant that uses rocket science to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. The university received a grant from the Woods Institute Environmental Venture Projects to research sewage treatment with the goal of making the process both energy-neutral and emissions-free. The sewage treatment process produces two greenhouse gases that power the treatment plant and a small rocket thruster. The new design has the potential to create wastewater management plants that are entirely self-sufficient.
