Second Nature Announces Catalyst Grant Recipients
Eleven colleges and universities have been selected to receive up to $10,000 each for projects that accelerate decarbonization, climate resilience and climate justice. The 11 institutions are Central Oregon Community College, Earlham College, Morehouse College, Northeastern University, Paradise Valley Community College, SUNY New Paltz, Tecnológico de Monterrey, University at Buffalo, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Warren Wilson College and Western Colorado University.
Six HEIs to Receive $5M for Climate Resilience Centers
Michigan Technological University; Morgan State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Northern Arizona University; San Jose State University; and University of California, Merced will receive $5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for six projects that will increase the use and utility of research to improve climate resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities.
U California Implements Equity Weighted Social Cost of Carbon
UC implemented recently an equity-weighted social cost of carbon in its carbon neutrality planning. The SCC incorporates the societal costs of climate change into university investment decisions to reduce campus energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
U California Signs 85 MW Wind Energy Contract
The newly signed wind energy contract supports a 3,500 megawatt utility-scale wind farm in New Mexico. The university is procuring 85 megawatts, which is equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption for US Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside and UC Merced combined. Construction is expected to start this year and commercial operation is anticipated in 2026.
Catawba College Becomes Carbon Neutral
The college recently announced that it has achieved carbon neutrality seven years ahead of its goal of 2030. To meet this goal, a mix of renewable energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy credits and carbon offsets were used.
Loyola U Chicago to Purchase 100% Renewable Energy
On Earth Day, the university announced a 12-year agreement in which it will purchase photovoltaic power to meet 100 percent of electricity needs for its Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses.
U North Carolina Greensboro Launches Carbon Offset Program
The university's new Spartan DRIVE Fund (Drivers Reducing Individual Vehicle Emissions) invites campus stakeholders to contribute $15 annually to offset their commuter emissions. Ninety percent of the funds raised will be invested in energy efficiency projects on campus. Ten percent of all funds raised will support a local non-profit that provides critical home repairs, including weatherization improvements to those who are at or under 80 percent of the poverty line.
Montclair State U to Purchase RECs Covering 100% of Electricity
The university recently announced a contract extending through 2025 in which it will purchase Green-e certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from wind, solar and hydro projects across the U.S. to match 100 percent of its forecasted electricity consumption.
U Pittsburgh Signs PPA for 20 MW Solar Farm
The new power purchase agreement secures for the university 100 percent of the electricity and renewable energy credits produced by a local 20 megawatt solar farm. The solar farm is expected to be operational in mid-2023.
Colorado Mountain College Installs Solar Array & Battery Storage Facility
The new 4.5-megawatt solar array is grid-tied and includes five megawatts of battery storage. The power company that operates the grid will retire renewable energy credits on the college’s behalf, in a quantity sufficient to offset 100 percent of the electricity use of three CMC campuses at Aspen, Spring Valley and Vail Valley.
