U California Riverside Students Vote for Green Tax
Students at the University of California, Riverside have passed a green fee referendum. After campaigning in favor of the green tax, students will now pay $2.50 per quarter for four years. Part of the proceeds will go toward the installation of solar panels to boost renewable energy on campus. The university plans to install solar panels atop the student union structure in the next few years.
U Mass Medical Implements Cooking Oil to Biodiesel Program
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has announced a 35 percent reduction in cooking oil use with the implementation of a new oil filtration process that extends the life of the oil. The filter is able to screen out food particles 100 times smaller than the previous system, extending the oil's usable life. When the oil can no longer be used for cooking, it is collected by Baker Commodities, a firm that processes the oil for use as biodiesel.
U Mass Medical Opens Green Ambulatory Care Center
The University of Massachusetts Medical School will seek LEED Silver certification for its new Ambulatory Care Center. Green features of the center include a white roof, insulated windows, low-flow/low-flush plumbing fixtures, lighting occupancy sensors, passive solar design and recycled construction materials.
U Mississippi Uses Biodiesel for Lawnmowers
The University of Mississippi has started using 20 percent biodiesel fuel to operate all campus mowers. The biodiesel fuel is made by research technicians at the University of Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute, who say that the new practice should cut campus lawnmower pollution by as much as 50 percent. Seven industrial lawnmowers use biodiesel and the landscaping crew is also experimenting with biodiesel in small engine machinery.
U Ottawa Unveils Community Garden
The University of Ottawa (ON) has started a 32-square-foot community garden project. A student volunteer organization will look after and manage the garden, which has 42 plots open to the community. Four communal plots are also on hand for campus projects. Students and faculty can apply for the reserved plots for research purposes.
Vanderbilt U Residence Halls Awarded LEED Gold
Three Vanderbilt University (TN) residence halls have earned LEED Gold certification. Combined, the Stambaugh, Hank Ingram and Murray House buildings are expected to reduce energy use by 15 percent. The university used 26 percent recycled materials during the $40 million construction and diverted more than 74 percent of demolition and construction waste from landfills.
Virginia Polytechnic Wins Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 Competition
Lumenhaus, a solar-powered home designed and built by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University students and faculty, has won the top award at the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 Competition in Madrid, Spain. Universities from Europe, the Americas and Asia entered model homes in the 10-category competition. Lumenhaus generates electricity using a 9-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array and includes a geothermal heat-pump system and radiant floor heating.
Washington State U Students Build Green Roof
Washington State University landscape architecture students have built a green roof as part of a multi-phased display garden. The students had the opportunity to design a space, do a cost estimate on the materials and build the roof. Located atop a shade and storage pavilion, the roof was constructed almost entirely from 100-year-old recycled wood. The roof supports small drought-tolerant plants and will reduce water runoff.
Washington State U Students Initiate Bike Rental System
Students at Washington State University have funded the BIXI bicycle system, to debut this fall. The bike program will allow students to take a rental bike from any given location and drop it off at another during a free, 24-hour rental period. The campus will receive 30 BIXI bikes with four docking stations.
Bowling Green State U Receives $911,658 Energy Grant
Bowling Green State University (OH) has received $911,658 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. The university plans to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in computer science and information technology building, Hayes Hall. Energy-efficient lighting and a computer-based building management system to control lights and temperature will also be installed.
College of Saint Rose 'Sustainability House' Reduces Energy Use
The College of Saint Rose (NY) has announced a significant decrease in energy use since the inception of its sustainability-themed campus housing. Last year, members of the college's Environmental Club proposed that a campus house be converted into a place where residents could live a more sustainable lifestyle by cutting back on water, electricity and waste. The house features water restrictors on the showers, compact fluorescent light bulbs and three composters for food waste. The Sustainability House residents' goal for the next school year is to bridge the sustainability gap between the campus and community with mandatory community service projects for those who live there.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U Creates Clean Energy Systems Degree
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) has announced the addition of a clean energy systems degree to its engineering department. The curriculum will cover turbines, systems that make energy from the heat of the sun, earth and ocean, and systems for storing energy. Students will have the opportunity to take courses and complete projects related to hybrid vehicles, solar lighting, green engineering and eco-friendly aviation. The program is slated for a fall 2010 start.
Emory U Debuts Online Sustainability Map
Emory University (GA) is kicking off its Walk N' Roll campaign with the launch of an online sustainability map. Funded by an $18,000 Urban Land Institute grant with matching funds from the university, the campaign aims to reduce the university's carbon footprint by creating a pedestrian campus core to include walking, wheeling and biking. Users of the online map can find bike share locations, walking tours and trails, or embark on a scavenger hunt for Emory's LEED-certified buildings. The map also identifies educational campus gardens, a compact fluorescent light bulb recycling center and the campus farmers' market.
Gonzaga U Science Center Earns LEED Gold
Gonzaga University's (WA) PACCAR Center for Applied Science has earned LEED Gold certification. Environmentally friendly achievements include the reduction of potable water use by 34.4 percent, energy cost savings of 30.5 percent and 210 tons of on-site construction waste diverted from the landfill. More than 34 percent of the building materials were harvested and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. The location provides access to day lighting, promotes open public green space and provides opportunities to connect and extend the campus pedestrian system.
Ithaca College Reduces Dining Carbon Footprint by 26%
Dining Services at Ithaca College (NY) has reduced its energy bills by 30 percent and carbon footprint by 26 percent through several recent upgrades. Hoods that automatically control fan levels based on kitchen temperature were installed in campus dining halls and the food court, along with walk-in cooler and freezer air curtains and low-flow spray nozzles. Ithaca Dining Services plans to purchase an updated bakery oven that will save $19,500 annually, making the return on investment in 1.8 years.
Owens CC Installs Solar Panels with Students
Students at Owens Community College (OH) received hands-on training with the installation of the college's new solar array. The 1.7-kilowatt array features eight panels and will be used to convert sunlight into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Community Education and Wellness Center. The college's photovoltaic installation program will teach students about photovoltaic systems and theory. Course content includes system sizing and construction, codes and standards, interconnection safety, troubleshooting and maintenance.
Rochester Inst of Tech Awarded $1 Mil for Sustainability Center
The Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has received a $1 million disbursement from Eastman Kodak Company's Rochester economic development fund in support of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. The funding supports a lab for collaborative research, as well as scholarship, equipment and operations at the sustainability institute.
Stanford U Initiates Freezer Retirement Program
Stanford University's (CA) Department of Sustainability and Energy Management is urging researchers to get rid of their old ultra-low temperature freezers. The freezer retirement initiative is offering cash incentives for researchers to upgrade to more energy-efficient models through August. Stanford has more than 2,000 freezers at an operational cost of $5.6 million each year. The freezers consume an estimated 40 million BTUs of energy and generate 3,600 tons of carbon dioxide.
Students at U Hawaii-Maui CC Install Solar Panel Grid
University of Hawaii-Maui Community College has debuted a new solar panel grid that was installed by students. The panels were installed over the course of the spring semester by a team of 20 students as part of the college's solar energy technology training program. Another team of electronics and computer engineering students spent two semesters designing the grid. The solar energy system is made up of 84 photovoltaic panels that feed the campus grid. The college estimates electric bill savings of up to $10,000 per year.
Swarthmore College Good Food Project Starts Campus Window Farm
Swarthmore College's (PA) student-led Good Food Project has built a campus hydroponic window farm. The farm is made from stacks of plastic bottles which each contain a dirt filter and a small plant. Water trickles down each stack until it reaches the bottom, where a hydroponic pump recycles it to the top of the stack. Window farms have low ecological impact while supporting edible produce and can operate year-round indoors with enough sunlight. The farm currently houses small lettuce plants. Organizers hope to grow small tomatoes and peas later in the summer.
Tennessee Technology Center Opens Green Sustainable Energy Campus
Tennessee Technology Center has opened a Green Sustainable Energy Campus that will serve as a training facility for students. The building is powered by solar energy and harvested from an array of solar panels around the building. Students will learn how to install solar panels and how the solar equipment works. After completion of the program, students will have entry-level knowledge of photovoltaic installation.
U California San Diego Partners with SANYO for Energy Research
The University of California, San Diego has announced a research collaboration with electronic corporation SANYO. The multi-year, multi-disciplinary collaboration will focus on renewable energy and energy storage research, development and education. The partnership will explore ways to combine technology through joint research, and create an Energy Development Open Platform to propose application services able to optimize energy use.
U Chicago Recycling Event Collects 22,680 Pounds of E-Waste
The University of Chicago (IL) has announced that 22,680 pounds of recyclable materials were collected during the university's first electronic waste recycling event. Among the unwanted items dropped off by community members and university staff, faculty and students were TVs, radios, cell phones, DVD players, vacuum cleaners and almost 700 pounds of plastic foam. By properly recycling electronic waste, materials were diverted from the landfill and the contaminants often found in these products were prevented from leaching into the water supply.
U Colorado Boulder Residence Hall Earns LEED Gold Certification
The University of Colorado, Boulder has received LEED Gold certification for Andrews Hall. Green renovations to the residence hall are expected to reduce energy use by 25 percent and water usage by 20 percent. New features include double-pane windows, sensors that suspend heating and cooling systems when windows are open, dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads, aerators on faucets, energy-efficient lighting with automatic controls, and carpet and other finishes made from recycled materials.
U Mass Dartmouth Awarded $1 Million Energy Conservation Grant
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will open a sustainability resource and training center with a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The first project will teach more than 100 unemployed and underemployed Boston-based citizens how to weatherize homes for maximum energy conservation. The university plans to renovate the fourth floor of a 110-year-old mill for the center, which will include multi-disciplinary learning and laboratory spaces to facilitate sustainability research and education.
U Minnesota Morris Plans to Install More Wind Turbines
The University of Minnesota, Morris has unveiled plans to install two 1.65-megawatt wind turbines near its existing turbine of the same size. The $7.4 million-project is expected to cut the university’s carbon footprint by more than 80 percent. The new turbines combined with the existing renewable energy facilities on campus are expected to generate 5 megawatts of power, enough to power the entire campus.
U Notre Dame Purchases New Recycling Compactors
The University of Notre Dame has purchased new single-stream recycling compactors. Eighteen trash-to-recycling compactors have been distributed across campus, with more compactors scheduled for installation in heavily-used buildings. The single-stream compactors have been converted to handle the increasing volume of recyclable materials, making it easier for people on campus to recycle.
U Pennsylvania Powers Down
The University of Pennsylvania experienced a 21 percent reduction in its typical campus electrical load during a recent hour-long Power Down Challenge. Led by staff and faculty Eco-Reps, many departments participated in the challenge by turning off lights and powering down electrical devices. The challenge showcased opportunities for the university community to conserve energy and enact behavior changes on a regular basis. A portion of the financial savings from the energy test will be invested into the university’s Green Fund.
U Richmond Implements Employee Benefit to Purchase Local Food
The University of Richmond (VA) has created a new employee benefit that allows them to purchase shares of local produce through a payroll deduction. Employees may elect to purchase full or half shares of produce to be delivered to campus for 14 weeks by Rural Virginia Market CSA, a cooperative of a half-dozen farms in central Virginia. The new benefit compliments the university’s community garden, established last year with 25 plots where students and employees can access locally grown and organic produce.
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Posted Jul 5, 2010
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Other News
U San Diego Kicks Off AMSOLAR Campus Installation Plan
The University of San Diego (CA) will install a 1.23-megawatt solar energy system as the debut project of Solano Beach, Calif.-based AMSOLAR's plan to build 20 megawatts of solar installations on school campuses. The $100 million project will be financed by GCL Solar Energy, a San Francisco-based subsidiary of silicon chip producer GCL-Poly Energy Holdings.
U Washington Approves Increase of Sustainability Fund
The University of Washington has approved a student-pushed sustainability fund increase. After 5,511 student signatures of support, the university’s Board of Regents approved to raise the quarterly fee from $113 to $117 per student. The university will now secure $339, 805 for the Campus Sustainability Fund.
Vermont Law School Receives Energy Grant for Green Renovations
Vermont Law School has received a $250,000 energy efficiency grant as part of the Clean Energy Development Fund to help convert a historic building into a center for legal advocacy. The building will be historically preserved and upgraded to high standards of energy efficiency using green building practices.
Vermont Law School Receives Grant for Smart Grid Research
Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment has received a $450,000 federal grant to conduct smart grid research and analysis. The project will assess the U.S. power grid’s legal and regulatory structures on the national, regional and state levels to improve load management and system efficiency. The project will also provide the legal and policy foundation needed to protect customer information and increase the efficiency of the transmission system, which will reduce financial costs and environmental emissions.
West Virginia U Dining Services Goes Green
West Virginia University's Dining Services will experiment with various waste reduction techniques this summer before students arrive in the fall. Among the solutions are eliminated trays from most dine-in campus locations and the installation of new light and cooling systems to reduce energy use.
25 Higher Ed Institutions Receive Green Building Fellowships
Second Nature has awarded 25 under-resourced institutions the 2010 Kresge Fellowship based on their level of need and institutional awareness of sustainable practices. Through the fellowship awards, institutions are provided with educational and networking opportunities to develop their green building and institutional sustainability competence.
Appalachian State U Residence Hall Earns LEED Gold
Appalachian State University's (NC) Frank Hall has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The residence hall is the university's first LEED certified building, featuring low-flow shower and sink fixtures, recycled and reused lobby furniture, and water-source heat pumps in each room. The project incorporated pervious concrete under exterior brick layers to help control water runoff and each floor of the building has a recycling center. More than two tons of recyclable material was collected from Frank Hall during the 2009 - 2010 academic year.
California State U Bakersfield to Install 1MW Solar Energy System
California State University, Bakersfield has begun the installation of a $9.5 million solar energy project funded by SunEdison. The 1-megawatt solar photovoltaic collection system is expected to provide 25 to 30 percent of total university energy and provide shade for 500 parking spaces. The solar power energy will be sold back to the university at a cost of five percent less than it currently pays. The project is slated for a late summer 2010 completion.
Dickinson College Announces Sustainable Investments Initiative
Dickinson College (PA) has announced that it will invest one percent of its pooled endowment in the Sustainable Investments Initiative and will seek additional gifts to match its pledge. This co-mingled fiscal vehicle seeks investments that generate long-term social, environmental and economic power. Structured to make investments in both public and private equity around the world, the initiative's focus on socially responsible investments prepares for the scenario of sustainability becoming a primary global economic driver.
Duke U Announces Free Bus Service
Duke University (NC) has announced that a free, environmentally sensitive bus service will help connect downtown Durham with the university. The project will feature six new hybrid/diesel buses. Under the agreement between Duke and the City of Durham, Duke provided $375,000 in matching funds. In addition, Duke will contribute toward the annual operating costs of the service.
Georgia Tech Students Evaluate Energy Saving Opportunities
After conducting energy assessments at five Beaulieu of America facilities, Georgia Institute of Technology students found that the carpet manufacturer could reduce its utility usage by almost 15 percent with an estimated annual savings of $2 million. Funded by the Georgia Environmental Partnership, the student site visits addressed energy issues important to the specific plants including energy management, boilers, steam systems and compressed air systems.
Luther College Develops Campus Wetland Area
Luther College (IA) is collaborating with Winneshiek County to develop a wetland area on college property, to be completed this summer. The enhancement of the area with native wetland plant species will be an ongoing project of the college. The wetland project is intended to mitigate the adverse effects of two county bridge projects on other existing wetlands in Winneshiek County.
Messiah College Approves Sustainability Studies Program
Messiah College (PA) has approved an undergraduate sustainability studies program. Students can select from three areas of focus: community and urban development, public policy and sustainable agriculture. Messiah has also partnered with Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, a fieldwork program, to provide students with opportunities to travel with Messiah faculty for fieldwork.
Oberlin College Awarded $925,000 Energy Efficiency Grant
Oberlin College (OH) has received a $925,000 grant to increase the energy efficiency of six of its residential halls. The award is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant: Local Governments and State Energy Program. The college will retrofit the dormitories with new windows, thermostatic radiator controls and more efficient steam traps. In related news, Oberlin's Williams Field House has achieved LEED Gold certification. Formerly an unused outdoor hockey rink, the renovated field house is now an enclosed winter practice space for sports teams.
Temple U Launches Corporate Social Responsibility Minor
Temple University's (PA) Fox School of Business has announced a new minor in corporate social responsibility beginning in fall 2010. The six-course undergraduate program will integrate sustainability into the business curriculum and expand research and community engagement. The minor will require students to complete 120 hours with partners within the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.
U Alberta Augustana Unveils Solar Power Project
The University of Alberta, Augustana (BC) has completed the installation of 10 solar thermal panels on the roof of the Convocation Center. The panels will heat water for use in the cafeteria and gymnasium, relieving 20 to 30 percent of the heating requirements that formerly relied on non-renewable sources.
U California San Diego Implements Fair Trade Policy
The University of California, San Diego has announced the implementation of a Fair Trade University Policy. The policy promotes both sustainable business and humane farming practices that food and beverage suppliers will be asked to support whenever possible. In cooperation with fair trade authority TransFair, the university will work toward a Fair Trade University designation.
U California San Diego Wins EPA 2010 Award
University of California, San Diego has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2010 Energy Star CHP Award for its high efficiency, low-emission combined heat and power plant. The co-generation plant provides 85 percent of the campus’ annual electricity needs. The plant generates electricity to run lights and equipment and captures the waste heat to produce steam for heating, ventilation and air conditioning for most of the campus buildings. The university saves $670,000 per month in energy costs and uses 26 percent less fuel than a system composed of typical onsite thermal generation and purchased electricity.
U Houston Partners with Urban Harvest for Community Garden
The University of Houston (TX) has partnered with nonprofit urban food educator Urban Harvest to intensify its sustainability initiatives with a new community garden and campus gardening classes that are open to the public. The garden is slated for a fall 2010 debut.
U La Verne Building Receives LEED Silver
The University of La Verne (CA) has attained its first LEED Silver certification. Green highlights of the 40,000-square-foot Campus Center include a rooftop garden with recycled seatbelt seating, recycled carpet, low-flow urinals and toilets, and passive solar design. Seventy-five percent of construction waste was recycled.
U Louisville Plans to Phase Out Coal
The University of Louisville (KY) has announced plans to phase out coal burning on its Belknap Campus. The university is working with the Louisville Air Pollution Control District on a pollution reduction plan that will replace a coal furnace with a new natural gas boiler. The gas boiler will increase heating capacity by 64 percent. The university is scheduled to sign an agreement to phase out coal by the end of 2015.
