Massachusetts Inst of Technology Students Produce Biodiesel
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology student group has begun turning leftover kitchen oil into biodiesel for use in campus shuttles. Biodiesel@MIT, formed three years ago, believes that once production is in full swing, they will be able to produce 55 gallons of biodiesel per week.
Milwaukee Area Technical College to Install Solar Farm
Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI) has announced a $6.9 million solar education farm project. The College is partnering with Johnson Controls, an energy use optimization company, to build the 2,720 panel farm. The College estimates that the solar farm will save $70,300 in energy costs in its first year of operation.
NIIT U Builds Campus to Harvest Rainwater
NIIT University (India) has inaugurated its environmentally-conscious 100 acre, 54-building campus. The campus was built to harvest and recycle 95 percent of waste water and some buildings have been designed not to use air conditioning.
Princeton U Adds Environmentally Friendly Buses to Fleet
Princeton University (NJ) has added 10 new buses to its shuttle system fleet. The buses all run on B20 biodiesel fuel. The buses are larger than older ones in the fleet and hold 30 passengers instead of 14. The new additions will allow all of the TigerTransit buses to run on biodiesel on a regular basis.
Quinnipiac U Announces Sustainability Plan, Featured in NY Times
Quinnipiac University’s (CT) York Campus has established a new $4 million sustainability plan that includes both solar and wind installations. The plan includes a wind garden that will contain 25 vertical-axis wind turbines and 1,232 photovoltaic solar panels that will be on the roof of one of the residence halls. In related news, The New York Times has published an article on Quinnipiac's new wind garden that features wind turbines as art. The new park, called Windspires, is meant to provide serenity to visitors. Its 25 turbines are expected to produce a combined 32,000 kWh a year.
Richland CC Installs Wind Turbine
Richland Community College (IL) has installed a 125 foot tall wind turbine on its campus. The turbine will be used to power the College’s Center for Sustainability and Innovation. Officials hope that the turbine, in conjunction with the building's geothermal heating, will make the Center achieve net-zero energy usage. The turbine also serves as real life training for students studying wind energy technology.
San Francisco State U Opens Campus Bike Path
San Francisco State University (CA) has opened a new bike path on campus that provides cyclists and pedestrians with a direct, off-road route between the campus and a local shopping center. The University created the path to encourage bicycle and pedestrian commuting and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with commuting to campus by car.
Santa Barbara City College Installs Solar Panels
Santa Barbara City College (CA) has installed a 235 kW solar array on its new car port in one of the College’s parking lots. Not only will the solar panels produce 10-percent of the College’s electrical needs, they will also provide shaded parking, outlets for future electric vehicles, and reduce the amount of heat radiating off the parking lot.
Smith College to Install Solar Panels on Campus Center
Smith College (MA) has announced plans to mount solar panels on the roof of its Campus Center. The electricity produced by the 130 solar panels will be approximately equivalent to the power needed to run the Campus Center Café. The system will be financed through a Power Purchase Agreement with renewable energy marketer and developer, Community Energy. The company will own and operate the $240,000 system, which enables the college to take advantage of the renewable power source without funding the system’s purchase up front. Community Energy will sell Smith electricity produced by the system at a locked-in rate for 20 years.
Texas Christian U Dining Services Reduces Waste
Texas Christian University’s Dining Services has announced plans to begin offering its used coffee grounds to students, faculty, and staff for use as a fertilizer. The program to reuse coffee grounds was replicated from a Starbucks initiative that has been in place since 1995. The University’s Dining Services hopes to reduce waste through the new program.
U Colorado Boulder Switches to LED Lighting
University of Colorado, Boulder has worked with Albeo Technologies Inc. to replace 200 fluorescent bulbs with an LED conversion kit in Farrand Hall. The initiative is expected to reduce Farrand's energy consumption by 36 percent.
U Idaho Announces Internal Sustainability Grants
The University of Idaho has awarded $25,000 to projects within the institution that seek to advance sustainability efforts on campus and in surrounding communities. The funding has been distributed between nine projects that are led by students, faculty, and staff and involve work in broad areas such as transportation, food systems, waste minimization, energy and education.
U Minnesota Receives $2.2 Million Grant for Biofuel Research
The University of Minnesota and BioCee, a university start-up company, have received a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a bioreactor using bacteria embedded in a thin latex coating to produce hydrocarbon fuel. The funding is part of a larger $151 million pool of money being issued to institutions for renewable energy research.
U New Mexico Receives First LEED Gold Certification
University of New Mexico's Castetter Hall South Addition Phase I has received LEED Gold certification. The $4.3 million Castetter Hall adds 15,867-square-feet of space, research laboratories, and a greenhouse for the school’s biology department. The building is expected to consume 31.5 percent less energy overall than traditional buildings on campus and features low-flow laboratory fume hoods that automatically cut back the amount of exhaust air during inactive times and locally-sourced materials with recycled content wherever possible. In addition, UNM sorted and recycled waste during construction.
U Wisconsin Oshkosh Hires Interim Sustainability Director
The University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh has hired an interim sustainability director after the previous director unexpectedly resigned. Professor of Biology Michael Lizotte, director of the Aquatic Research Laboratory, will serve in the one-year position. Lizotte helped to formalize the sustainability movement on campus and served as a co-captain of the 26-person campus sustainability team officially created in the fall of 2007.
West Virginia U Opens Transportation Hub
West Virginia University has opened Mountaineer Station, a new 7,000-square-foot transportation hub. The $16 million facility, which features facilities for bike storage, bus routes, and walkways, offers commuters a multi-modal way of getting to and around campus.
Angelo State U Starts Recycling Program
The Angelo State University (TX) Campus Recycling Committee has launched a new recycling program on campus. The program will be managed by representatives from different departments.
Appalachian State U Installs Array for Solar Thermal Water Heating
Appalachian State University (NC) has installed 46 solar panels on the roof of its Student Union to provide solar thermal water heating for showers in the fitness center and hand-washing in building restaurants. The $140,000 project will save an estimated $14,000 per year.
Campuses Participate in Global Day of Climate Action
Several campuses in the U.S. and Canada participated in the International Day of Climate Action on October 24, 2009. The campaign, created by 350.org, is dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis.
Champlain College Structure Renovation Earns LEED Gold
Champlain College's (VT) Aiken Hall has received LEED Gold certification. Features that contributed to the award include energy efficient lighting, heating, and elevator installation; improved building envelope through insulation upgrades; salvaged hard-wood floors and re-use of many original building materials; and slat roof shingles and the selection of other regional building materials. Aiken was built in 1885 and renovated in 2008. The structure contains faculty offices, meeting rooms, and special event facilities.
City College of New York to Offer MS in Sustainability in the Urban Env't
The City College of New York (CCNY) has announced plans to begin offering an interdisciplinary Master of Science graduate program in Sustainability in the Urban Environment starting in the spring of 2010. The program will incorporate emerging approaches from the disciplines of architecture, engineering and science. Students in the 30-credit program will be prepared to adapt old and advance new generations of buildings, urban infrastructure, and open spaces using approaches that take into account rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, peak oil, and climate change. The program’s core curriculum lays a foundation in sustainability values, strategies, and metrics through coursework in urban and natural systems, environmental economics, and industrial ecology. It draws upon approaches such as ”˜whole systems thinking’ and life cycle analysis to understand and evaluate complex urban eco-systems
Denison U Opens Green Arts Building
Denison University has opened the Bryant Arts Center, a $14 million reconstruction of a 105-year-old building. The 45,000-square-foot building, which was designed to meet LEED Silver standards, is home to the department of art - both studio art and art history - and has studios for ceramics, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and digital media. There are also gallery spaces, electronic classrooms, outdoor performance areas and studio space for seniors and professors. Green features include recycled denim insulation, an HVAC system that is 21 percent more efficient than the standard, a CFC-free cooling system, occupancy sensors, and high-efficiency lighting. Green cleaning methods will be used in the newly-renovated structure.
Denison U Welcomes Sustainability Coordinator
Denison University (OH) has hired Jeremy King as its new sustainability coordinator. King's new role is to coordinate, stimulate, inform, and encourage the community as it takes on issues of sustainability. King received a Bachelor of Arts in biology and education from Denison and holds a master’s in natural resources from Ohio State University. He spent two years in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, where he was a natural resources conservation volunteer who worked with local governments and community organizations to implement sustainable projects.
Florida Gulf Coast U Receives $1 Million for Renewable Energy Chair
Florida Gulf Coast University has received a $1 million gift from John D. Backe, president of the Backe Foundation, to establish the Backe Chair in Renewable Energy Endowed Fund. The University hopes to attract a nationally renowned scholar in renewable energy to teach classes on renewable energy to graduate and undergraduate students, as well as to conduct research on the field of renewable energy. The University is also partnering with the Backe Group to develop a 1.2 million square-foot research and development area.
Frostburg State U to Establish Green Energy Research Facility
Frostburg State University (MD) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund the Renewable Energy Center’s self sufficient, off-the-grid building. The $856,350 grant will assist in purchasing research equipment and computers and employ researchers at the Sustainable Energy Research Facility. The Center will conduct research on the effectiveness of sustainable energy resources in Appalachia.
Harvard U to Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates
Harvard University (MA) has announced plans to purchase renewable energy credits to supply more than 10 percent of the electricity consumed on its Cambridge and Allston campuses. Harvard will purchase half of the power generated by the planned Stetson Wind II facility near Danforth, Maine, as well as the associated renewable energy certificates. Electricity from Stetson Wind II will be generated by 17 1.5 MW turbines.
Kaua’i CC Hosts Farmers’ Market
Kaua’i Community College (HI) has partnered with the Kaua’i Country Farm Bureau to host a weekly farmers’ market on its campus. The market will offer local produce, value-added products, cooking demonstrations from the College’s culinary arts program, and an assortment of local food offerings.
LaGrange College Library Receives LEED Silver
The new Frank and Laura Lewis Library at LaGrange College (GA) has been awarded LEED Silver certification. The new 45,000-square-foot facility features recycled and energy-efficient construction materials, dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals, designated parking spaces for carpool and fuel-efficient vehicles, and natural daylighting. In addition, during site demolition last fall, asphalt and concrete were hauled away for grinding and recycling, and workers minimized daily construction waste by using separate containers to process recyclables like wood, cardboard, plastic, and scrap metal.
Los Angeles Pierce College Opens Green Building
Los Angeles Pierce College (CA) has opened its new Student Services Building, a 48,296-square-foot, three-story green building. The structure features locally made and recycled materials, an abundance of natural light, high quality insulation, and energy efficient lighting. The College is seeking LEED Silver certification for the new structure.
Luther College Hires Energy Conservation Consultant
Luther College (IA) has hired consultants from Sebesta Blomberg, a worldwide engineering firm, to lend direction to a new initiative on energy conservation. The consultants will hold a series of five stakeholder meetings with students, staff, faculty, and administrators to engage the community in discussion on developing the college’s energy conservation program.
Meredith College Student Wins Ntl Green Poetry Competition
Katie Holden, a student at Meredith College (NC), has earned first place with her mother and grandmother in the Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder 2009 poetry contest. Their entry, “Place of Peace,” won the intergenerational competition. Entries were required to be from a team of two or more persons, including a young person and an older person. The creative work expressed the "Sense of Wonder" that each team feels for nature. The contest is in honor of environmental activist Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring .
NC Campuses Embrace New State Ban on Plastic Bottles in Landfills
The State of North Carolina has implemented a law, which went into effect October 1, 2009, that bans plastic bottles from landfills in the state. The Appalachian State University (NC) Office of Sustainability has partnered with ASU Recycles to raise awareness of the new law through an on-campus educational recycling event. The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has seen an increase in recycling since the new law was announced.
Northwestern Michigan College Offers New Renewable Energy Degrees
Northwestern Michigan College has announced plans to begin offering two new degrees on renewable energy this spring: Renewable Energy Technology – Electrical and Renewable Energy Technology – HVAC. The Electrical version will focus on harnessing wind and solar energy and the HVAC version will emphasize using solar and geo-thermal energy for heating and cooling. Both will look at residential and light commercial scale. The two degrees will be offered as Associates of Applied Science.
Ohio Governor Announces Nine New University Advanced Energy Ctrs
Governor Ted Strickland, together with Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut, has announced nine new Centers of Excellence in advanced energy, to be located at eight Ohio universities. The Centers will be committed to focusing their academic and research activities on advanced energy development to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 221, which mandates that 25 percent of all electricity sold in Ohio comes from advanced energy sources by 2025. The Centers will be located at Bowling Green State University, Case Western Reserve University, Central State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, and University of Toledo.
Rutgers U Opens Seven-Acre Solar Farm
Rutgers University (NJ) has opened a 1.4 MW solar energy facility on a 7-acre tract of land. The new facility is expected to save Rutgers $200,000 in its first year and reduce emissions by 1,300 tons of carbon dioxide per year. The project costs $10 million and $4.9 million of that was subsidized by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) through their Clean Energy Program. The University was also awarded the 2009 Energy Educator of the Year by BPU for their effort to improve the energy efficiency and use of renewable technologies in their facilities.
San Diego CCD Opens Green Skills Center
The San Diego Community College District has celebrated the grand opening of its new Skills Center, a 67,010-square-foot addition to the Education Cultural Complex, serving as the Campus of Excellence for Career and Technical Education. The new Skills Center consists of three single”story buildings and three covered repair areas which include new repair bays, drive”in spray paint booths, shops, labs, classrooms, demonstration theatres, and other learning spaces. The facility, which is registered for LEED Silver certification, features a 66.6 kW photovoltaic panel array, an orientation that was designed to maximize both daylight and views to the outside, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, and a sustainable education program that allows the building itself to be used as a teaching tool on the benefits of sustainable design.
Saviors of Our Cities Survey Announces 25 'Best Neighbor' Colleges
Westfield State University (MA) has completed "Saviors of Our Cities: A Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships," a report that lists the nation's 25 'best neighbor' colleges and universities. The top ten institutions are, in order: University of Pennsylvania and University of Southern California (tying for 1st), University of Dayton (OH) and University of Pittsburg (PA) (tying for second), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Creighton University (NE), Case Western Reserve University (OH), Tulane University (LA), Portland State University (OR), and Drexel University (PA). Criteria for assessment in the 2009 survey remained consistent with the first survey that was completed in 2006, providing benchmarks for the development and growth of the original institutions and serving as comparators for new additions to the rankings. The criteria include the following: length of involvement with the community; real dollars invested; catalyst effect on others; presence felt through payroll, research, and purchasing power; faculty and student involvement in community service; continued sustainability of neighborhood initiatives; effect on local student access and affordability to attend college through K–12 partnerships; qualitative esprit of the institution in its engagement; quantifiable increase in positive recognition of the institution; increase in student applications and resources raised through renewed alumni giving; and recognition of the impact of these institutions within their community.
Stanford U Announces $250 Million Energy Use Initiative
Stanford University (CA) has unveiled an Energy and Climate Plan that includes a $250 million initiative to reduce energy consumption. The Plan is expected to reduce university carbon emissions by as much as 20 percent below 1990 levels. A majority of the goal will be attained through energy conservation measures. A two-year engineering study identified many areas where significant savings could be made by changing and modifying the way energy is currently being used. The $250 million initiative is expected to save about $639 million between 2010 and 2050.
Stony Brook U Southampton Library Receives LEED Gold
Stony Brook University Southampton’s (NY) library has been awarded LEED Gold. The 30,000-square-foot building features furniture that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Greenguard, skylights to maximize natural lighting, and storm water collection for non-potable use. The building will also use renewable energy to meet 35 percent of its electrical needs.
Texas A&M U Opens Green Science Building
Texas A&M University has opened the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building (ILSB). The $100 million, 220,000-square-foot structure contains 30 lab facilities, a 285-seat auditorium, offices, and two atriums. THE ILSB was designed and constructed to qualify for LEED Silver certification and features outside shading to aid in reducing heat transfer into the colonnades and the building itself; windows embedded with the dot pattern to help reduce the amount of heat that enters the facility, a rain garden, and 30,000-gallon cistern to collect rainwater.
U Arizona Offers New Perks to Employee Bike Commuters
University of Arizona has announced the Employee Bike Program, a new initiative that provides free locker rooms, showers, and bicycle storage to employees who ride to work. The facilities already are free to all students who take at least four credit hours in a semester.
U California Davis Launches Alternative Transportation Program
The University of California, Davis Transportation and Parking Services has launched the "goClub" (with "go" standing for Green Opportunities). The new alternative transportation program, which is an expansion and renovation of the University's TAPS' alternative transportation program, offers rewards to faculty, staff, and students who walk and bike. Rewards for green commuting include complimentary parking permits, discounted bus and train passes, discounts on bicycle storage lockers, shower and locker facilities for walkers and bicyclists, and options to get you home in an emergency. In addition, goClub members are eligible for prize drawings every other month. A sampling of the prizes includes bus and train passes, bicycles and assorted bicycle gear, a train-and-bus trip for two to Yosemite, a one-month membership to the Activities and Recreation Center, two tickets to an athletic event of the winner's choice, lunch coupons, and UC Davis apparel. The program also includes partnerships with Zipcar, a car sharing service, and Zimride, an online service that connects people for ride sharing.
U Idaho Increases Recycling, Reduces Waste
The University of Idaho has undertaken a number of initiatives this fall to reduce waste on campus. The University’s PanHelennic and Interfraternity Councils have approved collecting recycling at tailgates as philanthropy and have begun been collecting recyclables at football games. The University handed out 1,500 reusable stainless steel water bottles to new students in an effort to reduce waste and increase environmental awareness. The University has also introduced multiple locations on campus where students can recycle their old cell phones and ink cartridges.
Unity College Sustainability Office Launches Blog
The Sustainability Office at Unity College (ME) has launched the Unity College Sustainability Monitor. The new site highlights sustainability activities on campus and tracks resource consumption at the rural liberal arts college. The new blog is a chance for students, faculty, and staff members to research and report out on a variety of campus initiatives.
U North Carolina Publishes 2009 Campus Sustainability Report
The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has published its "2009 Campus Sustainability Report." Highlights of the report include: UNC's award of federal stimulus funding to create an Energy Frontier Research Center focused on the next generation of photovoltaic cells and solar fuels; the university dedication of a new reclaimed water system, which helped it win a national award for water reuse; the new Education Center at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, which is expected to receive LEED Platinum certification; UNC's Climate Action Plan with a strategy for achieving climate neutrality by 2050; and UNC receiving an A- on the campus sustainability report card issued by the Sustainable Endowments Institute.
U Pennsylvania Creates Internal Grant Fund for Green Ideas
The University of Pennsylvania has established an internal grant program that will fund green projects. The Green Fund will award one-time grants up to $50,000 and is available to faculty, students, and staff who submit proposals focused on reducing the University’s carbon footprint and increasing its sustainability.
Wake Technical CC Northern Campus Cuts Ribbon on Green Building
Wake Technical Community College (NC) has opened a new green building on its Northern Campus. The building will house classrooms, labs, and a coffee shop for students, faculty, and staff. The College has registered Building D for LEED certification and hopes to obtain a Silver rating. Green features include daylight harvesting, water conservation technology, and efficient heating and cooling systems.
Western Carolina U Announces $5.25M Energy Performance Contract
Western Carolina University has signed a $5.25 million energy performance contract with ConEdison Solutions. The company has begun conducting a comprehensive campus energy audit and will begin implementing improvements in last spring or early summer. The company guarantees that WCU will save at least $5.25 million in energy expenses over the next 12 to 15 years. Improvements will enhance lighting efficiency, increase the use of solar energy, modify heating and air-conditioning systems and controls, expand water conservation, and boost shutdown technology for computers. In addition, a kiosk may be installed in the campus library with an energy dashboard that shows how much energy is being consumed on campus. The Carbon Paw Print logo will identify places on campus where an energy-saving measure was installed and share information about how it works.
Willamette U Students Build Wind Turbine on Campus
Two students at Willamette University (OR) constructed a homemade wind turbine on top of the E.S. Collins Science Center to demonstrate do-it-yourself power capability. The turbine was built in the course of one year and the students hope it will be used to power an irrigation pump at a campus garden that supplies produce to the school's dining services. The construction of the turbine was funded by the Center for Sustainable Communities.
W Michigan U Receives Funding for Green Manufacturing Project
Western Michigan University has received $1 million in federal funding to support its Green Manufacturing project, which will assist businesses throughout West Michigan in creating more energy efficient and sustainable processes and products. WMU's Green Manufacturing project draws upon existing research and development centers at the University. Faculty researchers and students will collaborate with area manufacturers, especially smaller businesses, to help them build greater energy efficiency into manufacturing processes and promote recycling of materials to further reduce costs.
