SUNY System Works Toward Clean Energy Economy
State University of New York (SUNY) is moving into the final phase of its Energy-Smart New York strategic plan, which aims to position the 64-campus system as a key developer of green technologies and train a New York-based workforce for the clean energy economy. The plan includes numerous green energy improvements on its campuses throughout the state. Albany’s NanoCollege has received a $57.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to create a photovoltaic manufacturing consortium. SUNY Ulster is scheduled to install two pole-mounted photovoltaic systems in the spring with help from students. Hudson Valley Community College recently opened the Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies.
Texas Wesleyan U Athletes, Actors Initiate Recycling Program
The gymnastics team and theatre troupe at Texas Wesleyan University have joined together to start a recycling program. There was no recycling available on campus before the two teams contacted the Facilities Services director about implementing their plan. Once approved, the students began the first phase by installing aluminum recycling bins in every building on campus. As the program raises money, they plan to install recycling bins for more products in years to come.
U Arizona Researchers Study Compressed Air Energy
University of Arizona researchers are investigating a Compressed Air Energy Storage program that has the potential to power green technology when the university's power source is unavailable. The program is working to cheaply store compressed air for energy in man-made structures or in natural underground reservoirs. The stored air, created by compressors powered by another energy source, would power turbines when released and provide energy to homes and buildings when other sources of energy, such as solar power, aren't available. Storing large volumes of compressed air could be a potential problem, for it would take roughly two swimming pools worth to power the average house in Tucson, Ariz., but the researchers are also investigating the feasibility of saturating porous volcanic rocks beneath the neighboring Tucson Mountains with compressed air.
U California Davis Pilots National Lab 'Freezer Challenge'
The University of California, Davis is one of several institutions piloting the "Freezer Challenge," a friendly national competition among higher education laboratories to save energy and promote best practices for cold storage and sample management. The competition, which also includes pilot institutions University of Pennsylvania; the University of California, Santa Barbara; the University of Colorado at Boulder; and Harvard University (MA), will allow competing campuses to gain points by undertaking various best practices including cleaning out freezers, retiring old freezers/refrigerators and saving energy. The challenge runs from April 1 to May 14, 2011.
U California Santa Barbara Students Start Campus Food Bank
Spurred by tight student budgets, Associated Students (AS) leaders at the University of California, Santa Barbara are launching a campus food bank. The governing student body's president says that the effort is closely tied to the budgetary circumstances with the University of California and the state. Amid increased student fees and budget cuts, hundreds of students responded in a recent AS survey that they skipped meals on a daily basis to afford school expenses. Starting this month, undergraduate and graduate students will be able to pick up nonperishable food and other items at the University Center. The pantry has garnered donations through the placement of collection bins at high-traffic areas around campus and the university will apply to be a member of the Santa Barbara Food Bank, which gathers food from various grocery outlets around Santa Barbara.
U Denver Experiments with Environmentally Friendly Landscaping
In place of a recently razed science building, the University of Denver (CO) is experimenting with native plants that are well-adapted to the regional climate. Working with Facilities Management, the university architect and arborist will plant a variety of grasses to see which species require the least water while still holding up under foot traffic.
U Nebraska Researches Wind, Solar to Power Traffic Lights
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are investigating the potential of wind and solar to power municipal traffic lights. Funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Energy Plus Roadways project seeks to find ways for renewable energy sources to meet the demand of city transportation infrastructures while potentially producing additional power to be sold back to the municipalities.
U Texas El Paso Awarded $1 Mil Solar Grant
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1 million grant for a solar canopy system for its Facilities Services parking lot. The grant is from the Distributed Renewable Energy Technology Program of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office in an effort to increase the amount of installed renewable energy in Texas.
Yale Health Donates Medical Equipment to Haiti
Yale University's (CT) Health Center diverted nearly 38 tons of medical equipment from the waste stream by donating it to a hospital in Haiti that is being rebuilt after it was severely damaged in the 2010 earthquake. The university partnered with International Medical Equipment Collaborative, a non-profit that provides medical equipment to rebuild hospitals and clinics in impoverished areas worldwide, for the effort. The eight-truckload donation will take care of 20 percent of the equipment needed by the hospital.
ACUPCC Report Reveals Significant Campus GHG Emissions Reductions
Colleges and universities in the U.S. reported significant reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, according to an annual report just released by the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The report provides an overview of ACUPCC signatory schools that are creating and implementing comprehensive plans to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from their campus operations. Also integral to these plans are activities that promote education, research and community engagement. For the first time a significant number of schools - more than 250 - have submitted updates to their original greenhouse gas inventories, revealing whether emissions have increased or declined since climate action efforts began in earnest. This group accounted for a net reduction of more than 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. As of December 31, 2010, the ACUPCC network had 676 active members representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Baker College of Owosso Produces Biofuel
Baker College of Owosso (MI) has begun processing its own biofuel using recently purchased processing equipment. The processor can produce 40 gallons of diesel fuel in one 12-hour batch. The college is using waste oil and grease produced by its cafeteria, and is teaching other college and high school instructors how to convert their own cafeterias into diesel producing kitchens.
Bennington College Conducts Carbon Sequestration Analysis
Bennington College (VT) has announced a plan to conduct a carbon sequestration analysis of the forests and woodlands on its 400-acre campus to better understand and more accurately measure its institutional carbon budget. The university hopes that its effort to take into account the role of natural and managed vegetation and associated soils in the carbon cycle in its institutional carbon budget will help to establish methods and standards that can be broadly applied by other institutions. Data analysis will begin this coming summer and continue through spring 2012.
Berkshire CC to Establish Sustainable Energy Training Center
Berkshire Community College (MA) has received a $201,067 grant from the Northeast Utilities Foundation to convert its Ralph Hoffmann Environmental Center into the Sustainable Energy Resource Training Center. This new center will provide certification programs for workers interested in joining the renewable energy workforce. Programs will provide training in the development and installation of solar heating, wind and photovoltaic systems, as well as for energy auditors and for technicians trained in weatherization.
College of Marin Begins Organic Farm Apprenticeship Program
The College of Marin's (CA) Indian Valley campus is collaborating with the Fresh Run Farm to offer an apprenticeship program for aspiring organic farmers. The program will provide classroom instruction as well as paid farming positions. There will be 1,800 hours of experiential training and 11 courses for students enrolled in the apprenticeship.
Concordia U Plans for Bottled Water Bans
Concordia University (QC) has announced a three-year plan to upgrade drinking fountains in most campus buildings to accommodate reusable drink containers and remove bottled water for sale in vending machines. The university will launch an education and communication campaign to promote the use of refill stations on campus.
Emory U Implements Campus-Wide Set Temperature Policy
Emory University (GA) has announced a new plan to manage temperature settings in its office spaces and public and common areas in most campus buildings starting in July. The joint effort, led by Campus Services and the Office of Sustainability Initiatives, will implement a set temperature policy that calls for 76 degrees during the cooling season and 68 degrees during the heating season.
Emory U Works to Consolidate Office Supply Orders
In an effort to shrink the campus carbon footprint generated by vendors who make deliveries by truck to campus, Emory University's (GA) Office of Sustainability, in collaboration with its procurement office, is working to consolidate office orders to a minimum of $50 per order. The university found in a 2010 analysis that it placed nearly 5,000 orders under $50. Had all orders under $50 been eliminated, the reduction could have saved about 15 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal Budget Deal Largely Spares Education, Pell Grant
President Barack Obama said in a speech Friday that the plan to finance the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year largely spares his top priorities including education, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. With only an hour to spare before a government shutdown, lawmakers reached an agreement late Friday. Details of the spending bill, which would cut $38.5 billion from the previous year's budget, are still being negotiated but according to the White House blog, the bill would maintain the Pell Grant maximum at $5,550, the same level as this year, and make "strong investments" in the National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Science Foundation and the Energy Department's Office of Science.
Francis Marion U Receives Grant for Green Roof
Francis Marion University (SC) has received a $40,400 grant that will be used to finance a green roof atop its McNair Science Building. An experiment conducted by a biology professor found that plants on the science building absorbed between 75 to 100 percent of rainfall.
George Mason U Hotel Earns LEED Gold
George Mason University's (VA) Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel has been awarded LEED Gold certification. Nearly 90 percent of the on-site construction waste was diverted from landfills to recycling agencies, and more than 30 percent of the total building materials were manufactured using recycled materials. The center features high-efficiency glazing on windows and doors and water-source heat pumps, and has implemented green housekeeping initiatives including sustainable cleaning materials and a comprehensive recycling program.
Harvard U Students Create Interactive Water Footprint Map
Students at Harvard University (MA) recently won a competition by data visualization community Visualizing.org that challenged the design community to visualize urban water data. The contest was held in honor of the United Nation's International World Water Day in March. The graduate students' "What is Your Water Footprint?" interactive online graphic shows visitors how much water they use based on what country they live in and allows users to see how much water is used to create common consumer beverages and products.
Humboldt State U Developing Portable Biomass Energy System
Researchers at Humboldt State University's (CA) Schatz Energy Research Center have partnered with Renewable Fuel Technologies to develop a self-sustaining, portable system that transforms biomass into renewable energy. Student research assistants will help torrefy woods of different types and moisture contents, a process where biomass is heated without oxygen to temperatures between 250 and 300 degrees Celsius. Their results will help inform design aspects for a final commercial product. Forest biomass, already used to generate 40 percent of Humboldt County’s electricity, will play an important role in a partnership between the Schatz Energy Research Center, the California Energy Commission and Redwood Coast Energy Authority to create a strategy to meet 75 percent of Humboldt County’s energy needs with renewable energy.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College Greens Printing Services
Los Angeles Trade Technical College (CA) is working with Xerox Corporation to reconfigure its printing services to be more environmentally sustainable. Expected to cut operational costs by $1.5 million, the five-year contract will consolidate all printers, copiers and fax machines, and introduce a new pop-up window that reminds users to save paper and ink by not printing unnecessary documents.
Michigan State U Raises Campus Energy Conservation Awareness
Michigan State University has kicked off its annual Dim Down program. With events that raise awareness about energy conservation, the program encourages faculty, students and staff to join in a voluntary effort to reduce energy consumption by unplugging and switching off appliances during their lunch hours.
Obama Addresses Clean Energy at Georgetown U
President Barack Obama recently spoke to students at Georgetown University (DC) about the necessity of creating a secure energy future for the nation. The president stressed the importance of cutting U.S. oil imports by one-third by 2025 and called for producing more electric cars, converting trucks to run on natural gas, building new refineries to brew billions of gallons of biofuels, and increasing fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles. Congress has been debating these measures for years, says The New York Times article.
Ohio U Moves Away from Coal
Ohio University told students and environmental groups in a recent letter that it will not consider coal as an energy source for a new heating plant. Though the university has made no legally binding commitment, this announcement puts the school on a path to moving beyond coal by 2016, when its current coal-powered heating plant will have to be replaced as the useful life of its boilers draws to a close. The university is embarking on a broad campus energy planning process that will map out clean, affordable and reliable energy sources for the campus moving forward.
Rochester Institute of Technology Names McCarthy Chair
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) has named Jennifer Schneider, a professor in its College of Applied Science and Technology, as the new Russell C. McCarthy Chair. In her new role that begins in September, Schneider will help to expand the college's research strategy in the area of infrastructure science focusing on the role it plays in communities. Her research in environmental health and safety management system design, risk management and critical infrastructure will expand in her role as chair, focusing on building resilient communities.
Rutgers U Approves 32-Acre Solar Canopy Energy Project
Rutgers University's (NJ) Board of Governors has approved plans for more than 40,000 solar panel canopy structures over two surface parking areas on its Livingston campus. The 32-acre system will generate eight megawatts of power, or about $1.2 million in electricity annually. The $40.8 million project is made possible by federal tax incentives and New Jersey’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits.
Student Activists Protest Facebook's Coal Power Plans
Students in North Carolina and Texas joined a Greenpeace campaign to protest a new Facebook data center that is scheduled to open in 2012. The $450 million facility will power its 300,000 square feet with coal from a nearby power plant.
Teagle Foundation Awards PA Institutions $300K for Diversity Ed
The Teagle Foundation has awarded a $300,000 grant to Pennsylvania institutions Lafayette College, Bucknell University and Dickinson College for a cooperative project that aims to advance diversity and diversity education. The funds will be used to incorporate diversity throughout the curriculum and to improve students' academic and co-curricular experiences on campus. The institutions will focus on their own topics but meet periodically as a group to share resources, expertise and outcomes.
U Albany Part of $58 Mil Federal Grant for Solar Energy Research
The University at Albany (NY) is involved in a $58 million investment by the federal government to increase the nation's share of the solar energy research market and help create thousands of jobs with the creation of a national center in solar energy research. Most of the grant will go to a public-private partnership between the SEMATECH company and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The grant aims to make the Albany, New York area a hub for research and clean energy in the photovoltaic manufacturing market.
U California Berkeley Promotes Travel-Free Meetings
The University of California, Berkeley's Office of Sustainability has launched a small grant program to promote the use of campus videoconferencing and web-based meeting tools as alternatives to in-person meetings that require travel by airplane. The Travel-Free Meeting grant program aims to provide incentives and help remove barriers to using video/web-based services as meeting alternatives. Grants of up to $100 will be given for hosting web meetings and videoconferences, or for purchasing a computer camera for Skype calls or desktop web-conferencing.
U Florida Recognized for Wealth of Online Sustainability Content
With 800 pages pertaining to sustainability, the University of Florida came out on top during an investigation by undergraduate students at Claremont McKenna College's (CA) Roberts Environmental Center as to which institutions devote the most online content to sustainability issues. The university’s diverse coverage of sustainability includes carbon emissions reduction, a focus on locally grown produce and renewable energy outreach and development.
U Nevada Reno to Host Geothermal Academy
The University of Nevada, Reno is scheduled to host the nation’s first National Geothermal Academy at its Redfield campus in June. The eight-week educational program is a consortium of national leaders in the geothermal field from colleges and universities throughout the nation. Professionals from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and other companies will teach the 40 students who have been selected through a competitive application process.
USA Today Features 'Eco Fashion' at Santa Clara U
USA Today recently spotlighted students in Santa Clara University's (CA) Green Club, who produced an Eco Fashion Show on campus. The featured creation was a "wearable dress" with a paper bag bodice and fanned newspaper tutu skirt.
U Utah Opens Bike Repair Stations
The University of Utah has installed two bicycle repair stations on campus to help facilitate bike commuting options. Installed by Commuter Services, each station features a tire pump, tire levers, screwdrivers and allen keys to help students make minor repairs to their bikes.
U Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hosts Dorm Energy Competition
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is challenging students living on campus to look at their energy habits during its "Reduce Your Use!" energy savings competition. From April 17 through April 23, energy use in campus residence halls will be tracked through the university's building energy dashboard website.
U Wisconsin-Whitewater Offers e-Waste Recycling
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus has started a campus-wide initiative to recycle e-waste. As part of the three phases of the TREE (Technology Repurposing and Electronics E-cycling) program, the university will upgrade its surplus computers program, establish ink recycling bins and offer surplus computer equipment for sale.
Wake Forest U Students Teach Sustainability to Bilingual Children
Three students at Wake Forest University (NC) are using a service learning project for their "Entrepreneurship in Latin American and Latin Cultures" course to teach bilingual 4th and 5th graders in the community. Their program, Semillas Sostenibles (Sustainable Seeds), is a four-week course that teaches children about the environment, sustainability and healthy lifestyles. The students created a blog to document their progress.
28 New Campuses Complete Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Twenty-eight signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on January 31, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by: Antioch University, Seattle (WA); Bellevue College (WA); Brandeis University (MA); Century College (MN); Community College of Denver (CO); Creighton University (NE); Denison University (OH); Georgian Court University (NJ); Massasoit Community College (MA); Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO); Missouri University of Science & Technology; Oberlin College (OH); Polytechnic University (NY); Salem State College (MA); Shenandoah University (VA); Smith College (MA); State University of New York College at Cortland; State University of New York Empire State College; The University of Montana - Helena College of Technology; The University of Montana – Western; University of Alaska Anchorage; University of Baltimore (MD); University of Massachusetts Boston; University of Richmond (VA); University of South Carolina Lancaster; University of South Carolina Sumter; University of South Carolina Union; and University of South Carolina Upstate. In related news, Bowdoin College (ME) has also completed its greenhouse gas inventory.
American U Building Earns LEED Gold
American University’s (DC) School of International Service has been awarded LEED Gold certification. The building features numerous green components including an LED-lit parking garage, a solar air and water heating system, skylights to provide natural lighting, sunshades to prevent heat loss, and energy-efficient appliances.
Appalachian State U Recognized for Green Energy Advocacy
A new report by the Appalachian Region Commission, which states that the green energy movement has the potential to create more than 70,000 jobs by 2030, applauds Appalachian State University's (NC) efforts toward green energy job growth. The report recognizes the university's community outreach efforts through educational programs and the research conducted at its Energy Center. By 2030, the commission hopes to cut energy use for the entire region by 24 percent, resulting in energy savings of $21 billion for the region.
Appalachian State U Weighs Local Food Buying Initiative
Appalachian State University's (NC) Food Services director recently met with 45 local food producers as part of a planned initiative to purchase food produced within a 250-mile radius for the campus. Some of the challenges to overcome before the plan is implemented, as outlined in a recent Office of Sustainability sustainable food report, include the possible higher cost of local food, the state bidding process that favors the lowest bid, the limited production capability of small farms, and the importance of meeting Food Services' timing specifications.
Campuses Show Support for Earth Hour 2011
University of Houston's Hilton College (TX) is one of the many colleges and universities that participated in Earth Hour this year by switching off its lights for one hour and using LED flashlights instead. Organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a record 134 countries switched off lights to symbolize a more sustainable future for our planet at 8:30 p.m. on March 26. WWF encourages campuses to go beyond the hour with operational practices including turning off lights after hours in offices or installing motion-sensor lighting; installing energy saving light bulbs and devices; turning off printers, computers, monitors, microwaves, coffee machines and other appliances at the end of the day; installing rainwater harvesting tanks for watering gardens and lawns; providing and encouraging staff and students to use recycling facilities; and electing Earth Hour Monitors to ensure lights are out and appliances are off standby at the end of each day.
Central Lakes College to Offer Free Renewable Energy Training
Central Lakes College (MN) is partnering with the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. to offer free renewable energy training that is open to the public. The training is intended for dislocated workers to improve their skill-sets and make them more competitive in the renewable energy sector job market. The training program is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Governor's Workforce Development Council.
College of Saint Benedict Bans Sale of Bottled Water
As part of its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, the College of Saint Benedict (MN) has banned "the sale of plain, plastic bottled water on campus, and the purchase of plain, plastic bottled water with institutional funds," states a recently announced new policy. The policy, which was endorsed by the college's Cabinet, Sustainability Council and the Student Senate, will go into effect in August 2011 at the start of the new academic year.
Cornell U to Compete in Green Grand Prix
Cornell University (NY) will compete in the 7th Annual Green Grand Prix this month, which will take place at Watkins Glen International racing facility in New York. The university has submitted its diesel hybrid dubbed "Redshift." Entries can include diesel and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid models, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars and vehicles running on biodiesel, flex-fuel and pure electric.
Daemen College Debuts New Global and Local Sustainability Degree
Daemen College (NY) will offer a new interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in global and local sustainability starting in fall 2011. Students can choose from areas of concentration including liberal arts, business, health care studies and education. Internship opportunities will help students further their skills in economic and social development and cultural and historical preservation, and prepare for environmental careers in government, nonprofits and private businesses.
Duke U Hires U.S. Energy Official to Lead New Energy Initiative
William Pizer, a U.S. Treasury Department official whose departure from the Obama Administration was recently announced, will join the faculty of Duke University's (NC) Sanford School of Public Policy to help design and lead an initiative in energy and the environment. He will begin teaching in the fall. Pizer, who led a new office responsible for the Treasury Department’s role in the U.S. domestic and international environment and energy agenda, was also appointed a faculty fellow in the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, a nonpartisan institute at Duke that focuses on finding solutions to national environmental challenges.
Harvard U Expands Composting Program
After a recent waste audit that revealed that 25 percent of campus waste at Harvard University (MA) is organic material, the university's Green Team and the Green Living program made compost bins available at every dormitory, academic and administrative building on the Harvard Law School campus. The audit also found up to 40 percent compostable waste being thrown away in dorm garbage cans.
