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.
U Southern California to Obtain Solar Electricity for 25% of Consumption
The new 20-year agreement will provide a quarter of the university's electricity with power from a solar farm in Mojave. In addition to lowering its carbon footprint, the university will contribute approximately $180,000 per year to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Clean Energy Adder program that supports disadvantaged communities in and around USC’s campuses.
U Arkansas Signs PPA on 5.1 MW Photovoltaic Array
The newly signed power purchase agreement (PPA) is for a 5.1-megawatt photovoltaic system that is expected to cover approximately 6.3 percent of the campus electrical energy needs. The solar project will be installed on 25 acres off campus and is expected to be completed by Q1 2024.
Raritan Valley CC Purchases Power From 314 KW Solar System
The community college signed a new agreement to purchase for 15 years the power generated from a 313.6 kilowatt, ground-mounted photovoltaic system. The power from the system will meet all of the electricity demand from the college's Workforce Training Center.
