This is my third update for spring /summer 2008 concerning utility consumption and cost. The prvious two are also posted here.

First the good news. I want to thank everyone on campus who has helped to reduce our energy consumption.

We have the utility data for the past academic year and we are using less energy:

1. Electricity consumption is down from last year by 273,956 KWH and down from our forecast by 389,373 KWH, or 2.25% and 3.2% respectively. A KWH costs us about $.16 each so we beat our forecast by $62,300. Physical Plant has done a number of projects that can account for some of this reduction, but I believe that many on campus have taken measures in their daily life that have reduced the amount of electricity we consume. I encourage everyone to join this effort so we can further reduce consumption in FY09 by an additional 3 to 5%.
   
2. Heating consumption also has some good news. This past year (FY 08) we used 7.3 million fewer pounds of steam than the year before. The decrease, based on last year’s cost of oil, saved approximately $91,000. Physical Plant projects such as the steam tunnel replacement account for the majority of these savings.

Now the bad news. As you are all aware the price of oil is skyrocketing and the markets we purchase our oil from are fluctuating at incredible rates. Oil prepurchase, which the institution has done for a long time, has become more and more difficult, and a much greater gamble. In early June, we prepurchased our heating fuel through October at $2.60 per gallon. At the time, I thought this was outrageous but I took the risk in order to hedge the market a little. I wish I had purchased the entire year; today that same gallon would cost us $3.21. Using this current market rate our forecast for this year puts our utility costs over budget by $900,000. It is obvious from this that steps need to be taken to minimize the impact on the current year and for future years.

The following are some strategies we have put in place or are looking at to reduce this shortfall:

• We received a grant from the US Forest Service to conduct a feasibility study to convert our heating plant from oil to biomass (woodchips). The study results are expected this week and it will take time to analyze and create a plan to make this move if the economics work. The payback of such a change should be short at current market prices for wood chips.
• As I indicated in my last report, we have increased our set points for air-conditioned facilities to 76 degrees. We have had a few calls expressing concern and Ellen has asked that anyone with concerns contact her office so that we can have our maintenance staff look at the equipment to make sure everything is operating appropriately.
• This coming winter I have asked that our heating temperature be set at 68 degrees which is a reduction of 2 degrees from prior years. There will be more information about this change as we get closer to heating season.
• We have a number of summer projects underway that are focused on energy savings or conservation:

1. We are replacing the roof on Rounds Hall. New roofs are always more efficient and also are generally the area where there is the greatest energy loss. We are currently planning on replacing the roof on Memorial Hall in the summer of 2009.
2. Physical Plant is installing motion sensors in a number buildings and rooms across campus where electric lights are regularly on when the space is unoccupied. This will be an ongoing project.
3. We continue to retrofit our exterior lights to the more energy efficient systems.
4. Memorial – replace T 12 lamps and ballast with T 8 and electronic ballasts
5. PE Center - replace 3,000 gal. DHW Tank with semi – instantaneous
6. Campus  -  retrofit 54 exit lights to LED resulting in complete project for the campus
7. At Silver Center and the Centre Lodge, we are installing electrical meters connected to our energy management system.
8. We are upgrading track lighting in the D&M paint studio to be more energy efficient.
9. We are upgrading HUB lighting with energy efficient lamps, including motion sensors and day lighting sensors throughout.
10. We recently completed an energy audit for Prospect/HUB and are developing a plan to address energy saving projects.
11. We are analyzing the use of the Sloan Eco Flushometer valves toilets and plan a replacement schedule.
12. Implement new and improved recycling containers in all Residents Halls
13. We have installed waterless urinals in Lamson Library and the Centre Lodge.
14. We have purchased an additional Prius/Toyota for fleet rental.
15. Research alternative fuel vehicle for Physical Plant shop staff.

We will have additional communications about these issues over the summer and into the fall term and will have similar communications ready for students when they return in the fall. This is truly a group effort and we need all of you pitch in. I invite your notes, comments and suggestions.

Regards,
Bill Crangle
Vice President for Financial Affairs
Plymouth State University

Related items

• ‘PSU Need2Know’ Campus Energy Update
• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU

Several weeks ago I sent an e-mail to the campus concerning the increased cost of fuel oil with a request for all of us to conserve energy. I appreciate the many responses that I have received since and I have shared them with the folks in the Physical Plant and the President’s Commission for Environmental Sustainability.

There is more work that needs to be done.

The University’s is absorbing skyrocketing utility costs and next year’s budget is facing a $450,000 deficit in the utility budget. PSU will spend approximately $2.1 million on electricity this year. With all of the other budget pressures immediate action must be taken to reduce this projected deficit.

In an attempt to reduce the forecast of electrical cost increases, a goal has been set to reduce the campus’ KWH (kilowatt hour) consumption by 2 to 4 percent for the upcoming academic year.

In order to accomplish this goal the following actions will be taken:

• All buildings with central air-conditioning will have a temperature set point of no less than 76 degrees. If you are in a building with central air-conditioning please keep your windows closed at all times. If you are too cold please call Don Perrin at ext 2356 and he will try and resolve the problem.

• Window air-conditioners will not be installed prior to June 1. They should never be set to a temperature less than 76 degrees and must be shut off at night and on weekends.
• All unnecessary lighting should be shut off. This excludes shutting off emergency or safety lighting.
• All computers should be controlled by a power strip and the computer and power strip must be shut down every night unless there is some need for the processor to be active. In cases where the processor is needed 24/7 please shut off the monitor when it is not needed. In addition, the computer power manager should be set to go to standby or hibernation if the machine is not used for 30 minutes.
• All printers must be shut off at night.
• All copy machines on campus have a power saver button and these devises must be shut completely off on nights and weekends.
• Campus Stores has compact fluorescent light bulbs for table and floor lamps. Please put in a work order through Physical Plant and they will deliver new or replacement bulbs to your office.
• A new campus policy requires all new equipment be Energy Star compliant. If you have any questions about Energy Star please contact Purchasing at ext 2246.
• For the past several years Physical Plant has hired a person to walk the campus after hours and shut off lights, close windows, turn off air-conditioners, etc. Beginning this summer a nightly log will be kept and the Physical Plant will inform individuals and departments when these simple guidelines are not being followed.
• Physical Plant has a number of projects planned for this summer that will help save electrical energy. Major projects focused on saving electrical energy are as follows:

1. An energy consultant has been hired to review Prospect Hall and the snack bar in the HUB. This review will give help determine strategic changes in the dining facilities’ operations to maximize energy savings.
2. By the end of this summer all facilities on campus will be retrofitted with new LED exit lighting. These devices use 80 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs.
3. Memorial Hall - replace all overhead lighting with energy efficient electronic ballast and T5 lamps.
4. D&M - upgrade track lighting system in painting studio.
5. Silver Center - campus/exterior lighting replacements.
6. HUB - upgrade lighting and add motion sensors in public spaces.
7. Electrical Metering systems in Silver, Rounds, Speare, Russell, and Ellen Reed.
8. Grafton Hall bathroom occupancy sensors.

While budget issues are the immediate concern for these actions, PSU is also committed to creating a more environmentally sustainable campus. By working together I am confident that the University will achieve both its short- and long-term goals and make Green more than our school color.

Let me know if you have questions or comments.

Regards,
Bill Crangle
Vice President for Financial Affairs
Plymouth State University

Related items

• ‘PSU Need2Know’ Utilities update for summer 2008
• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU

Notable University Programs:

President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability, formed in June 2007, is one of three PSU commissions and stands as a mission-critical undertaking that will significantly impact the future of the University. This commission has been a catalyst for many new climate-related activities on campus that are noted in the list below.
The Center for the Environment is a collaborative effort between Plymouth State University’s academic departments, government agencies and regional nonprofit organizations. Established in 2004, the goal of the Center for the Environment is to address the science, policies, culture and economics of the natural environment in northern New England through research, education and collaboration. The Center has a special commitment to the North Country and Lakes Region of New Hampshire and PSU is geographically well situated to serve this role. The Center focuses on applied environmental problems and engages local communities and organizations in environmental demonstration projects that integrate the natural and human environments. The work of the Center enhances the North Country economy and fosters regional environmental understanding and literacy.
The Environmental Science and Policy Department, launched less than three years ago with a masters program, has grown and developed steadily. The undergraduate environmental science and policy curriculum, an innovative interdisciplinary program, was recently approved by the System Academic Planning Council (SAPC) and will begin in the fall of 2008. As part of this effort, faculty and staff have worked on a program to integrate environmental sustainability issues across our entire curriculum.

The Center for Rural Partnerships was established in 2005 to support non-profit, governmental, and community organizations in their efforts to preserve rural character and to promote a sustaining quality of life with a special focus on New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and North Country. The Center raises awareness of rural concerns and opportunities, provides a research base and technical assistance for policy issues, convenes local leaders to address rural challenges, and supports PSU’s commitment to community service and outreach.

The BS in Environmental Biology degree program within the department of Biological Sciences has been a long-standing program at PSU that focuses upon the interface between biological systems and the environment. With emphasis upon organismal and taxonomic expertise-building, and systems-level studies, and a capstone course on Current Environmental Issues, this program has consistently graduated people with environmental literacy that have gone on to fill environmental agency positions as well as graduate programs. The recent MS in Biology program has become a complement and increased the research productivity of the biology faculty in several areas including ecology.

These programs, in conjunction with many other enlightened programs and a wide range of student activities, help to establish PSU as a leader in environmental sustainability. Much of the work of these notable programs has direct relevance to climate change, as noted below.

Climate Change Activities Around Campus:

President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability (PCES):

• Campus Climate Commitment: PSU is taking a leadership role among the nation’s most environmentally friendly institutions of higher learning with the signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. We join a broad effort by more than 350 of our nation’s higher education institutions to address global warming by neutralizing their greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating research and educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

• The President created the new half-time position of Special Assistant to the President for Environmental Sustainability to manage our current commitments, develop forward-looking strategies, and achieve goals. PSU has a history of supporting sustainability through administrative commitments and academic programs, and will continue our commitment to sustainable design in new and renovated University facilities. We are also creating an undergraduate program specifically tailored to address this critical area.

• Faculty members of the President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability are exploring ways to integrate sustainability issues in courses in every department across campus.

• PCES established a policy that requires all major campus construction to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification or equivalent

• PSU added to their bid process that we prefer using suppliers that follow sustainable practices. There will also be additional pressure placed on departments to reduce paper usage and to buy recycled paper and compact fluorescents.

• PSU adopted an Energy Star purchasing policy for all appliances for which such standards exist, with similar goals for other purchases.

• The PCES has partnered with Clean Air- Cool Planet to adopt the use of their carbon calculator tool to assess the University’s carbon footprint and to measure our progress toward carbon neutrality. The calculator data collection process is underway, with large amounts of data collected and entered. Plans are in place to complete the process this year.

• A Green Up blog to publicly show the cumulative account of achievements is established and available at: http://greenup.blogs.plymouth.edu/

• The design team is trying to follow the draft of the university environmental policy for the ice rink project.

• The PCES has a draft form of a university environmental policy intended to guide the institution to carbon neutrality.

• A new residential demonstration house featuring environmentally appropriate technologies has received minor funding period. A class has been developed and plans are underway to expand this project in the fall to serve as a campus and public resource for information on residential level actions to address climate issues.

• The PCES is pursuing discussions with the NH Electric Cooperative to purchase at least 15% of its electricity from climate neutral sources. The NH Electric Coop has expressed that such a market may be what they need to bring such opportunities to their customers system wide.

• All large events are now supplied with both trash bins and recycling bins in hopes that patrons will recycle if the opportunity is provided.

• PCES supported campus speakers and events to raise environmental awareness in the community

• A full report from the PCES is currently underway and will be available on our Web site soon:http://greenup.blogs.plymouth.edu/.

Campus-Wide Environmental Curriculum:

• Brian Eisenhauer and Kate Donahue, both from the Social Science Department, have team taught a First Year Seminar course entitled What is Wilderness. This year they will teach Sustainability in Residences.

• Eisenhauer also offers an upper level course entitled Society and the Environment.

• Len Reitsma, from the Biology Department, offers a CEI and Conservation course.

• Brad Allen, from the Business Department, teaches a course entitled Business and the Environment.

• Steve Whitman offers sustainability courses through the Environmental Planning Major.

• This is a small sample of the climate-relevant courses on campus.

Center for the Environment (CFE):

• An Environmental Faculty Fellow has been appointed for a few years, and students have been involved in their work to publicize and contribute to PSU’s climate change efforts.

• A MS Program in Environmental Science and Policy (ES&P) was created that offers applied research and policy-relevant opportunities for graduate students to serve New Hampshire and the region. The program enhances regional capacities to address climate change issues through its projects and by providing a many educational and professional development opportunities.

• Several thesis projects among the graduate students in the MS in ES&P work on local environmental issues such as environmental planning, water run-off, leaching of abandoned mine minerals, and other projects.

• The colloquium speaker series brings in active professionals and academics to present information on a diversity of environmental issues, including topics related to climate change. The colloquia are open to the public.

• The CFE collaborates with several partners, including the Appalachian Mountain Club, to develop sustainability plans and other efforts to lessen environmental impacts.

• The CFE established the NH Climate Change Action Plan Transportation and Land Use Working Group.

• The CFE established the Legislature’s Energy Planning Advisory Board.

• The CFE helped establish the Plymouth Energy Committee.

• Working with the Center for Rural Partnerships, we have been an active collaborator with the SRE on Northern Forest issues.

• We have long term environmental data collection on lakes in the Northeast. This is funded by the EPA, and the data records go back 26 years

Center for Rural Partnerships (CRP):

• The CRP has collaborated with several organizations around the state to promote sustainable forestry and prudent use of biomass fuels and other resources. The Center’s director is actively involved with the NH Community & Institutional Scale Wood Biomass Energy Committee, The NH Center for a Food Secure Future, the Northern Forest Biomass Energy Initiative Action Plan committee, the Groveton District Heating Committee, and more.

• The CRP, the PCES, Campus Services, and others are studying the feasibility of converting our co-generation plant from fossil fuels to sustainable biomass.

• The CRP has hosted several lectures, workshops, and a conference related to sustainable forestry, agroforestry, biomass energy, “peak oil,” and the new forest products.

• The CRP supports many other organizations, agencies, and community groups around the state in their efforts to become more environmentally and economically sustainable.

• The CRP, the CFE, and the Northern Forest Center are working to establish the Northern Forest Consortium of Colleges and Universities to share information across the region and help connect the resources of higher education to the region and communities they aim to serve.

Hartman Union Building (HUB):

• The HUB is developing a set of guidelines and incentives for students to adopt sustainable practices for their organizations and events. Sodexo Dining Services is collaborating on this by helping to develop sustainable menu and dining options for catered events. The HUB is also working with Physical Plant to upgrade their lighting to be more energy efficient, with some areas motion-sensored.

• The HUB now shuts down all electrical items on a daily basis, including recreation cardio equipment and computers in the computer cluster.

• The HUB, in conjunction with Physical Plant, is doing an assessment of permanent lighting (fixtures that remain on at all times) in order to reduce energy use at night.

• The HUB will be posting information regarding recycling throughout the building for increased awareness.

• All First Year Orientation processes are now available on-line in order to reduce paper used in mass-mailings.

• Plans are underway to develop an environmental literacy survey of new students.

• Recreation Programs is developing a bike loan library, with seed money provided by PSU’s student senate.

• The HUB, also in conjunction with Physical Plant, has added several sets of recycling bins throughout the facility for increased opportunities for students/patrons to recycle.

Information Technology Services (ITS):

• ITS has been developing green computing polices with the PCES and plans for new initiatives for the fall are in development.

Physical Plant:

• Physical Plant is now using a new ice-removing substance, ICE Ban, which is both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Ice Ban is actually a by-product of the brewing process that makes snow and ice easier to remove while also cutting the amount of salt and sand used on campus by about half.

• An anti-idling initiative was launched on campus in the fall of 2007. Signs provided by the NH Department of Environmental Services have been posted in all areas that receive truck traffic for deliveries. Physical Plant has also instructed their staff to turn off their vehicles while working around campus rather than allowing them to idle as they have in the past.

• Physical Plant purchased three hybrid vehicles for the campus’ fleet.

• As part of our effort to reduce and conserve energy, we replaced roofs, upgraded heating and hot water systems, and rebuilt our underground steam infrastructure, thus reducing our total metric tons of carbon dioxide, an overall reduction in emissions of 18 percent from 2001 to 2007.

Residential Life:

• For the first time in PSU history, the University participated in the national RecycleMania contest. Glass, plastic and cans were collected and weighed from every on campus residential area. During the first week alone, 450 lbs of targeted materials (bottles and cans) were collected, and by the end of the competition more than 12,500 lbs. of materials will have been collected.

• Residential Life introduced the Go Green Proposal to members of the President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability which included suggestions for different ways PSU community members/departments could implement sustainable practices.

• In November 2007, Residential Life facilitated an energy competition between all of the campus residence halls. A committee of student staff generated some ideas and plans for how to run and promote the competition, and chose the name “Do It in the Dark: Get Turned on to Turning it Off” as the title. Incentives for the competition were “Do it in the Dark” t-shirts and half-price laundry for the residence hall which most decreased their energy usage most during the competition.

• Residential Life continues to facilitate a textbook recycling drive at each semester closing and plans to have this program running year-round beginning fall 2008.

• In conjunction with the “Do it in the Dark” competition and RecycleMania, members of Residential Life and of the PSU student organization, Common Ground, have promoted environmental awareness by tabling in the HUB and in each residence hall to have students sign the “Go Green” Pledge. So far, nearly 300 students and staff have signed the pledge with 15-35 students per residential building pledging.

• Langdon Woods, a LEED certified structure, was featured on the cover and in an article in the July/August 2007 issue of School Construction News. The article concerned Langdon Woods’ LEEDS gold award and our efforts on sustainability. To view the article, visit www.schoolconstructionnews.com.

• Mary Lyon Hall had its grand re-opening as a student residence hall in October. In its remodel, attention was paid to historic detail as well to environmental sustainability, making the nearly 100-year old building 40 to 50 percent more energy efficient. In addition to providing living spaces, Mary Lyon is the new home of the College of University Studies, Undergraduate Advising, and Residential Life.

Sodexho:

• Sodexo, PSU’s dining services, has established many sustainable practices including sourcing food from local/regional farmers, reducing waste, educating students about food choices, and more.

• Sodexo has introduced a “trayless cafeteria” to reduce water usage, food waste and electricity. The concept has taken hold on campuses nationwide and will also encourage good decisions in food choices. A review of this program will occur this spring and plans will be made for next year. The University’s food service vendor Sodexo should have a good assessment process in place to track the success of the idea.

Related items

• PSU Students Do It in the Dark, Save Big On Energy
• PSU Students Do It in the Dark
• Bill Crangle to Lead PSU’s Environmental Sustainability Initiative
• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU
• 2/22/08 PCES Meeting Minutes

Present: Ellen Shippee, Trevor Chandler, Bill Crangle, Steve Whitman, Linda Dauer, Danielle Dustin, Brian Eisenhauer, Brad Allen, Bill Bayard, Bruce Lyndes, Len Reitsma

The February 22nd meeting minutes were accepted as written.

Dwight Fischer, Ted Wisniewski, and Jo-Ann Guilmett from ITS (Info Tech Svcs) attended to discuss green strategies:
• Ted overviewed the effort to keep clusters updated for sleep mode functions, and a new “virtual server” strategy that allows us to run fewer servers.
• Jo-Ann reviewed use of paper and other supplies in the student clusters (handout). 12% of the paper users account for over 30% of the ¾ million pages used last semester (one of those 12% was a faculty member).
• ITS recommended sticking with the current 350-page student printing quota (covered by tech fee), and have students pay for pages beyond that. The commission agreed. Education is needed across campus to reduce overall paper demand. Toner is a separate issue, and cluster printers are not yet on an automatic replacement cycle.
• Brad asked if students could see a quota pop-up after each print job. In past when that was done, students requested more once their quota was ¾ full. Many print jobs are also non-class related.
• Jo-Ann recommended that jobs done on the color printer in Lamson, that each page be counted as two pages to the student’s quota. Trevor was concerned about charging everyone to catch a few offenders. He pointed out that many faculty require photocopying (at 10 cents each) and/or printing of many pages of text.
• Brian said it sounds like some courses could be hiding course fees by having the students print so much work – that these materials should perhaps come from the department. Being enrolled in certain classes that force huge print jobs is not fair to the student.
• Bill C proposed that Reggie Muzzey attend the next meeting to discuss academic and administrative copying/printing costs. He also wants to move to recycled paper along with reducing the volume. Bill B pointed out that many printers can’t handle recycled paper, although new printers are coming out that can. (NHEC is pushing duplex copying in their offices). Bill C said UNH and KSC do fine with recycled paper. Dwight said this is not a tech issue, that the PCES and the student senate should endorse these ideas by this summer to be ready for fall. Bill C wasn’t sure if we need more time to investigate, and asked Dwight to take the issue to TAG. Bill C added that the trustee committees are now sending everything electronically.

Brian asked for a vote on becoming the “ECO police” to stand behind ITS efforts to curb high-offending printers, which was affirmative. Any official statement or policy will come from the CPES.

Chris Mongeon from Dining attended to discuss the trayless cafeteria savings. His handout summarized savings of water, propane, electric, chemicals, and food waste of almost $118,000 per year. Food waste is responsible for $113,000 of the total. A drop in grocery deliveries shows that people are paying more attention to what they eat.
Brad commented that behavioral changes like this are not easy, but doable, and the same commitment must be applied to all sustainability efforts. Chris reported that local growers can’t meet the dining service’s needs so they use regional vendors (ME, VT, NH). Len asked if there’s a way to inform local farms who could meet the need but don’t know there’s a market here. Heather in Purchasing is working on that.

Len asked if people could bring their own mugs to catered meetings instead of using paper cups. Len offered to take this idea (and responsibility for it) to the Council of Chairs. Chris replied that cafeteria mugs could be reused as well. All of this is related to the paper use, and a behavior must be changed. Len will email Alice O’Connor re his Council of Chairs cup idea. Bill C pointed out that catering is often now delivering tap instead of bottled water. Brad suggested if we could find a few hundred dollars we should send the kid who had the idea of the trayless system to a sustainability conference that he wants to attend but can’t afford. Bill C asked Brad to have the student write up something on what he wants to attend for Bill’s review.

Brad’s report of the sustainability workshop he attended and curriculum integration were tabled until the next meeting. Bill C has copies to loan of the book from Brad’s conference and some of the environmental audit; he will bring those to the next meeting.

Danielle D: Recyclemania – PSU placed #13 of 59; a good ranking for our first year. They didn’t collect during spring break, and April 5 is the last collection date. So far about 10,000 lbs has been collected. Brad asked if there’s a parallel competition for high schools? Not known. Bill C asked Ellen to get tons-recycled numbers from Chris in Bldg Services. Len asked about expanding Recyclemania beyond the res halls. Half the waste is beer cans/bottles - how might the faculty fare compared to the student effort? Textbook Recycling containers will appear in each residence hall during finals week.

Environmental curriculum: Brian – The program is approved and in the catalog for fall.

Commission report – The report subgroup decided on a format and Danielle Ross has begun working on it.

ECO house – Brian is teaching a related course in fall that he thinks will be very popular. Brad is also working towards the house. Bill C will move into an office there this summer. Brian visited an eco house in CA and was very impressed by their student-driven model. Len commented that he is excited to be part of it; we need to give faculty across departments incentives to infuse these topics into their courses. Len suggested having a meeting with the cabinet regarding the urgency of getting these topics into the curriculum.
Bill C said grant funding can be requested again (as in ECO house) in less than a year. This would be a good follow-up to ECO house. Next year’s academic theme will be sustainability.

Bill Bayard reported the NHEC is working with CA-CP to change the way their employees do business. Next step is to create a team to investigate how to save money and reduce their footprint. A recent press release accompanies these minutes. Bill C is waiting to hear from NHEC’s Steve Kaminsky re purchasing green power.

Anti-idling campaign: Steve W – more signs will go up around campus (daycare center is a major offender, along with dining hall). Someone at the day care should talk with the parents. The public school administration plans to add more signs on their grounds.

Steve W said there is a town energy committee green building session on May 19 that PSU is welcome to attend. The session is designed for town commissions, boards, and committees on how to construct or renovate structures and develop policy for Plymouth and neighboring communities. A recent water quality session given by Steve K was well attended.

Bill C reported the biomass feasibility study is underway – will have a report by May. The high school and hospital are excited about joining that effort.

Trevor reported that his Face Book group is running.

The April 24th meeting agenda will include:
• discussion on the policy/pledge
• Brad’s sustainability workshop
• summer schedule
• what Bill can do over summer to prepare for fall (communications/agenda)

Related items

• 2/22/08 PCES Meeting Minutes
• PCES Meeting Minutes, 10/26/2007
• PCES Meeting Minutes 9/14/07
• PCES Meeting Minutes 8/29/07

With the oil prices rising, we need to conserve energy on campus. The University burns #2 oil to produce electrical power for the campus. The price of #2 oil has risen from $2.05/gallon in September 2007 to $3.32/gallon in March 2008 which is a 62% increase in costs. A truck load of oil in September cost $19,000 and our last load in March was $31,000.

We need your help in reducing electrical power consumption on campus:

Please turn lights off when leaving a room
Computer Power management - Shutting down your computer, monitor, and personal printer or placing them in a standby mode when you leave the office for more than two hours.
Minimizing or eliminating the use
Electric fans Microwaves
Electric heaters Refrigerators
Lamps Toasters/Toaster Ovens
Computers Electric can openers
Hair dyers Curling Irons
Coffee makers Cordless Phones
Televisions

Physical Plant thanks you for your cooperation in saving energy.

Donald Perrin
Manager of Information & Technology
Physical Plant

Related items

• PSU Students Start New Recycling Competition
• PSU Students Do It in the Dark, Save Big On Energy
• PSU to Study Feasibility of Co-Generation Plant, Switching from Fossil Fuel to Wood Could Save Money, Reduce Pollution
• Mary Lyon Hall - Back to the Future, Saving Money and Energy
• ‘PSU Need2Know’ Utilities update for summer 2008

Present: Don Perrin, Ellen Shippee, Danielle Dustin, Trevor Chandler, Bill Crangle, Linda Dauer, Nancy Pettengill, Peter Laufenberg, Brad Allen, Bill Bayard, Thad Guldbrandsen, Danielle Ross.

Updates:
• Danielle D reported that Recycle-mania is going well. Ends on April 4 after 10 weeks. The first week 450 lbs of targeted materials (bottles & cans) were collected (49th place in our category), this week 5000 lbs was collected (22nd place). Common Ground is visiting the res halls to get signed pledges and talk about the movement. Res Life and Physical Plant split the cost of plastic recycling buckets given to students at move-in. Ellen would like to keep it going after the contest is over, to become part of the culture, and will talk to Chris Johnson about that. Interior collection (via plastic buckets to a central spot) is more popular than going outdoors with it. Need to develop ways to measure all five categories; cans bottles, plastic, paper, and cardboard. Brad requested recycling paper containers for Hyde 113.
• Brad said the AMA wants to raise money by collecting pop tops off drink cans. She suggested students could collect their own tops if a receptacle was provided for them.
• Brad mentioned an article in The Clock with two positives and five negatives about the new trayless policy in Prospect. Chris Mongeon will be invited to next the next meeting regarding the savings of that policy. Bill C appreciates the support for that of Frank Cocchiarella and the student government.
• Bill C said the Environmental Science & Policy curriculum is passed, approved, and ready to go for next fall. Brian deserves lots of credit for that.
• Bill C announced plans for an ECO House. The chancellor asked each institution to submit ideas for an innovative project they would like to do but can’t afford. Sarah Jayne submitted two proposals, one of which was an ECO House. A building would be needed (residential or not) to install as much environmentally friend features as possible and become a demonstration project. Steve W, Julie, and Bill will talk with NHEC to get something going. Trevor suggested using a student residential building, Bill thought about Holmes House…
• Ray was unable to attend, but Bill B offered that NHEC is now working with CA-CP. More on this topic next month.
• Task List – the report team met and identified 10 completed projects:
the university fleet is getting there.
Air travel has turned out to be very difficult to collect. Focus will be to collect future trips, past is difficult to gather data for.
Brian is working on a survey for commuter travel
Brad’s working on curricular integration – and become a “lightning rod” in his dept for positive and negative feedback (he’s a socialist, a polar bear saver, …)
Bill B commented that even if one doesn’t agree with global warming, these saving techniques are a good idea and smart business.
Approved the Energy Star policy at last meeting, which has been passed on to the purchasing manager.
Danielle plans to look into waste minimalization for next year. Very complicated.
Thad working on landscaping.
Some think the Green Up blog site is hard to find. Bruce is looking into that.
Thad thought the commission could use a Facebook page. Trevor offered to create one (on agenda for next meeting). Don pointed out the possible liability. Thad said an appropriately maintained page would be worth it, and that this commission could have benefited from a Facebook presence during the recent flap over going trayless at Prospect.

Anti Idling Campaign – Steve will update next month.

Students attended the recent BOT Investment Committee meeting to ask that the USNH discontinue investments in Sudan. USNH has asked its investment managers to use good judgment in choosing investments for the System.

SRE Institute for Sustainability - Federal funding through the Dept of Education could be available. If more funding is obtained long term, the Center for Rural Partnerships plans to hire an environmental economist to help evaluate the economic impact of its services in connecting people on campus to businesses or organizations off campus under the realm of sustainable development. The Tillotson Foundation funding outreach initiative should provide support for student fellowships. We will know by April if we have this funding. Congressman Hodes’ office is trying to connect all colleges/universities in the 2nd district to tackle climate change/energy. Maybe we should invite them to connect with this commission.

Cogen-biomass feasibility study was approved – should have a report in 90 days.

Trevor reported that the UEC (University Environmental Committee) got funding of around $7000. PSU hosted the NH student leadership summit for eight colleges and universities at which one topic was campus environmental sustainability. UNH had a solar-fest that used a bus mounted with solar panels to power the festivities. Trevor is interested in that for PSU. Thad replied that it’s a contracted service and Danielle D thought Common Ground may have obtained it for an April 20th event. Other plans at UNH include capturing methane gas from the Rochester Dump to power heat and electricity. A tour of Langdon Woods was given to several of the summit group who were very interested.

Green computing – Dwight will be invited to the next meeting to discuss issues for which ITS can be charged.

Environmental Pledge – 15 to 35 students per building have signed the pledge (mentioned earlier) with several more buildings to go. Bill C wondered how to catch the signatures of new students next fall, either during orientation or move-in. Has Terri Potter thought about adding a message to the new student communications? Thad again suggested Facebook.

Draft of university environmental policy – Design team is trying to follow it for the ice rink project.

The next PCES meeting is Friday, March 28 at 7:30am in Mary Lyon 026.

Related items

• PSU Students Do It in the Dark, Save Big On Energy
• PSU Summary: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
• PSU Moves to Reduce Paper and Ink Waste
• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU
• PSU Students Start New Recycling Competition

“RecycleMania is a nation-wide friendly competition among college and university recycling programs in the United States that provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. Over a 10-week period, campuses compete in different contests to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate.” (www.recyclemaniacs.org)

This is the first time PSU has participated in this increasingly popular event. The intent this year is to start out small and successful. Next year, the hope is to have the entire campus involved in the increased recycling effort and waste minimization.

Related items

• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU
• PSU Students Do It in the Dark, Save Big On Energy
• PSU Summary: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
• 2/22/08 PCES Meeting Minutes
• PSU to Study Feasibility of Co-Generation Plant, Switching from Fossil Fuel to Wood Could Save Money, Reduce Pollution

Danielle Dustin, Samuel Read Hall residence director who organized the ‘Do It in the Dark’ contest, reports students saved 11,764 kilowatt hours of energy during the one-month competition that ran during the month of November. Dustin reports the combined energy savings from all residence halls are the equivalent of 196,067 60-watt light bulbs burning for 16 hours each.

When the contest first started, Dustin noted that each on-campus student spends an average of $731 each semester on energy costs. In an effort to head off future cost increases or to possibly even lower the current costs, students had been asked to turn off and unplug computers, appliances and other such items when they were not being used, and to turn off the lights when they left their rooms or the various common areas. To help motivate the students, the winning residence hall was promised half priced laundry for a month and a t-shirt for each resident.

Here is a breakdown of how much energy each residence hall saved:

Blair - 3,899 kilowatt hours

Belknap - 3,371 kilowatt hours

Smith - 3,281 kilowatt hours

Grafton - 1,857 kilowatt hours

Mary Lyon - 1,236 kilowatt hours

Pemi - 423 kilowatt hours

Hall - 45 kilowatt hours

Langdon Woods - 2348 kilowatt hours

The Do It in the Dark competition proves PSU students are serious about saving energy and can achieve an impressive goal. In the long-term, all of these students have learned to be more cognizant of their energy use and the need to conserve.

Related items

• PSU Summary: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU
• 2/22/08 PCES Meeting Minutes
• PSU Students Start New Recycling Competition
• PSU Students Do It in the Dark

“This advances the mission of the regional comprehensive university in numerous ways,” said Guldbrandsen. “By efficiently using sustainably-harvested wood, we would contribute to the well being of the NH forests and forest-based economy.”

The feasibility study is scheduled to be completed by next August. The PSU study is being conducted as part of a statewide, institution-scale biomass initiative, which will move toward establishing a biomass plant at Bear Brook State Park, PSU and three other institutions, such as public schools. The study also includes the N.H. State Forester, Phil Bryce of the Department of Economic Development, the UNH Cooperative Extension and the North Country RC & D. The statewide project aims to develop five biomass feasibility studies and create educational material for schools and other public institutions to help them evaluate the feasibility of biomass energy.

“PSU would become a model for other institutions region-wide and provide numerous learning opportunities for students and visitors,” noted Guldbrandsen. “Converting PSU’s co-gen plant could go a long way in achieving carbon neutrality on campus, because heat and electricity is our major source of carbon emissions.”

The CRP is currently working with the President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability (PCES) to implement the feasibility study.

Related items

• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU
• Mary Lyon Hall - Back to the Future, Saving Money and Energy
• PSU Summary: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
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• PSU Students Do It in the Dark, Save Big On Energy

President’s Commission on Environmental Sustaiability Meeting Minutes

26 October 2007

Present: Brian E., Linda D., Rodney E., Bill C., Danielle V., Brad A., Len R., Chris C.

News and updates:

• Brad’s Business & The Environment class is doing reports on several areas, which they would eventually like to present to this group. Several students are also interested in individual project ideas.
• Brian thanked Rodney, Peter, Trevor, and Don for their presentation to the trustees on 10/18. Bill added that his feedback from the BOT was also good. This is a springboard of opportunity - we should consider a spring open session with trustees and campus.
• Rodney reported from Gary M - Common Ground turnout was “tremendous”
• Club formerly known as SAGE has become a yet-to-be-named outdoor environmental group interested in doing service with local wildlife areas. Bill noted he’d never been invited to visit any club; Len agreed. Need to hear what students are doing – how do we get them to organize themselves for sharing? Brad asked who should begin a process (student budget) – Ezra Dalton (treasurer) and student activities website has info. Bill mentioned new clubs can get seed money. Brian added the groundwork has already been laid with the Student Senate. Bill suggested several student group leaders could come to this meeting, and Brian said a more ‘open” invitation (to reach beyond student leaders) might be better. Share what we do, then let them run with it. Should invite club reps to next meeting (Nov 30) for their feedback on idea of larger forum that would be student-led (by Peter, Trevor).
• Brian said Len deserves recognition for doing the necessary paperwork to put before the curriculum committee.
• Danielle reported the Res Life energy competition to be Nov 1 – Dec 1. Ads are posted in the buildings about the events, and something will be in the Clock.
• Rodney said Angel is doing an environmental literacy survey of new students. Brad will talk to Rodney, also to his students, who are interested in a first-year course on environmental issues.

Environmental Policy - Brian/Bill – Bill emailed members a draft policy based on a similar policy from Duke. Brian asked if there should be a minimum level (silver?) of LEED cert specified, and Bill agreed. Bill asked if the policy should be taken to campus groups, and a deadline set by which to return comments to this group. Bill will begin with the president. Purchasing should add the policy to their guidelines as well. Brad noted there must be some pressure (i.e., Kyoto) put on departments by purchasing policy to do things like buy recycled paper and compact fluorescents even though they cost more. Bill added we also must reduce usage (mostly in paper). Chris added that incentives should also exist at the department level for energy savings, not just mandates. The behavior must be rewarded.

Climate change agreement report – It is almost time to file the first report with the group that initiated the president’s agreement. Brian briefly outlined the report, which Bill already submitted. We are exceeding the mandated actions. A vote was taken on accepting the LEED spec document, which was approved.

Calculator - Linda presented a ppt on the data needed for the calculator. The target for data completion is Nov 20;

• Scope 1, GHG emission sources - need propane and fleet gas/diesel gallon data.
• Scope 2, emissions from NHEC electricity – data collection completed
• Scope 3, activity/travel data – need staff/student travel FY01-07, and commuter input. Past data is very hard to gather, but could have an impact on our carbon footprint. Len wondered if a campus questionnaire might help with finding data. Brian reminded that several members are assigned that task, and it will get done. Decision needed: do we want to include Scope 3 at this time?

Environmental Faculty Fellow – Brian - Will split this year between Danielle’s efforts this fall, and Mary Ann picking it up for the spring. Danielle will contact Bill about an operating budget for these efforts. Application for EFF for next year will be on November agenda.

Green Up blog - Bruce - Bill wants meeting minutes on the blog and a cumulative account of achievements to show the public what is accomplished. Please comment/post to the blog at www.greenup.blogs.plymouth.edu Marketing hasn’t yet happened, working on how to get students/faculty/staff to participate. Rodney suggested putting an individual calculator on the blog. Brad suggested incentives such as giving away a ski pass per week for the best blog; make the blog more visible and offer incentives that will increase personal environmental efforts.

Venture Center program/adventure ed outreach) is looking for space on the main campus (through the space allocation committee). Angel went to President Steen about space; this program should be more accessible to students and to faculty/staff. Would this committee endorse a fast-track space allocation for this program?

Action Items:

• Rodney will contact Peter and Trevor about getting leaders from outing group, common ground, etc to report on what they are up to, and to organize something for February.
• Len & Bill will set a deadline for investment work, will meet once this semester and report back in February.
• Rodney will ask Angel to send us the Venture Center plan via email so all commission members have a chance to review it, and it can be discussed at the November meeting.

November meeting moved to November 30^th due to holiday.

December meeting will be on December 21 due to holiday.

Related items

• PSU Moves to Reduce Paper and Ink Waste
• 2/22/08 PCES Meeting Minutes
• PCES Meeting Minutes 9/14/07
• PCES Meeting Minutes 8/29/07