meeting summary april 29, 2016 - university of maryland · 2017-02-13 · meeting summary . april...

Meeting Summary April 29, 2016

Council Members Present:

Carlo Colella, Vice President for Administration and Finance (Chair) Linda Clement, Vice President for Student Affairs Cindy Hale, Associate Vice President, Office of the Provost Maureen Kotlas, Executive Director, Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk Scott Lupin, Assoc. Dir., Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk, and Director, Office of Sustainability Mary-Ann Ibeziako, Director, Department of Engineering and Energy David Cooper, Assistant Director of Systems Architecture, Division of IT Steve Cohan, Professor of Practice, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Samantha Bingaman, Undergraduate Student, Environmental Science and Policy Todd McGarvey, Graduate Student, School of Public Policy

Meeting start time: 9:00am

Meeting Highlights

Welcome and Review of March 31, 2016 Meeting Minutes

Carlo Colella welcomed the Council members and called the meeting to order. Meeting summary from March 31st was approved.

Carbon Offset Document

Following the Carbon Offset Work Group Report, the Council created and reviewed a Carbon Offset Document to summarize its recommendations on creating an offset program for the campus. The Council decided during this meeting that the document should include a statement about creating an education and communication plan to help the campus community understand the offset program. See appendix A for the latest version of that document.

Sustainability Fund By-Laws – Proposed Revisions

The updates to the Sustainability Fund By-Laws were accepted by the Council. See appendix B for finalized document.

University Sustainability Fund Projects

Samantha Bingaman, undergraduate representative, presented two University Sustainability Fund projects to the Council for review.

The Council reviewed and approved the following projects: Employing Wind Power Harnessing Technologies This project proposes to study the potential for installing micro wind turbines at Maryland Stadium. The project will conclude with determining the locations with the best wind energy density, the optimal turbine designs, and the most economically-efficient ways to harness this power. Inter-Collegiate Athletics has approved the study. The Council voted to approve the request of $14,200 with three conditions: First, anyone involved with installing instruments must ensure they strictly adhere to rules for fall protection and other life safety considerations. Project leader can consult with Occupational Safety unit within the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk to develop a safety plan for this project. Second, project leader must remove all equipment at the conclusion of the project and the Council would like to see the equipment reused for future studies of wind power potential on campus. Third, if possible, the Council would like the project leader to compare the potential for wind power technologies with the potential for photovoltaics on the assessed structures. Although these technologies are not mutually exclusive, structural considerations may prevent the addition of both wind power and solar power devices. As such, the Council would like to know which technology is most favorable given limited real estate. Plug Load Management Pilot Study This project aims to study and refurbish plug load management controls during the HJ Patterson (HJP) Wing 1 renovations. The project includes four components, including (1) purchasing and installing plug load management controls for 50% of electrical receptacles on fourth floor of HJP; (2) purchasing and installing electrical sub meters at each receptacle electrical panel on the third and fourth floors; (3) conducting a plug load pilot study to determine which types of plug load controls provide the most energy reduction and work best for different users/devices; and (4) performing a cost/benefit analysis to determine if existing buildings should be targeted for plug load management. The Council voted to approve the request of $19,000. Water Use and Watershed Work Group Report In 2012, a Water Use and Watershed Work Group was established with subcommittees formed to implement initiatives, however, not much has been accomplished in the intervening years. A position description was finalized for a campus Stormwater Manager and should be posted in summer 2016. The Chair asked for more progress to be made by the next report to the Council due in spring 2017. Climate Action Plan Revision 2.0 Mark Stewart and Sally DeLeon from the Office of Sustainability presented the Council with a snapshot of strategies being developed for a revision to the university Climate Action Plan. See appendix C for full presentation. An update will be provided to the Council in the fall. Adjourn: 11:00am

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL – ESTABLISHMENT OF A CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM

The University of Maryland signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (Carbon Commitment) in May 2007 and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The 2009 Climate Action Plan, developed as part of the Carbon Commitment, established greenhouse gas emission reduction milestones including a 25% reduction by 2015 and a 50% reduction (170,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent or MT-CO2e) by 2020 compared to a 2005 baseline of 340,001 MT-CO2e. The university has taken many measures to meet these goals and has been on track with all milestones to date.

The university conducts an annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emission analysis to quantify emissions from a variety of sources including power generation, purchased power, commuting, air travel and miscellaneous sources. To guide the University Sustainability Council and focus campus emission reduction strategies, projections are made to gauge future emissions. The most recent projections reveal that by 2020, almost all of the university’s greenhouse gas emissions will come from three sources:

o On-site Power Generation (Combined Heat and Power Plant -CHP) – The CHP produces power, steam and chilled water to the campus. Options are being explored to reduce long-term emissions, but none are likely to be implemented in time to meet the CAP 2020 target.

o Commuter Vehicles – Faculty, staff and student emissions from commuting are gradually decreasing. These emissions account for significantly less of the university’s carbon footprint than air travel emissions and their elimination would not allow the university to meet the CAP 2020 target.

o Air Travel – Air travel is essential to the university’s mission of teaching, research and outreach. The university has no control over aircraft emissions.

University GHG emission data shows that air travel has been the fastest growing source of emissions since the Climate Action Plan was launched and has increased from 32,458 MTCO2e to 49,332 MTCO2e between 2005 and 2014, a growth rate of 52%. These emissions are considered “unavoidable” in the carbon accounting industry given they are necessary to the institutional mission and tied to current aircraft technology. The university will have to offset air travel emissions in order to achieve carbon neutrality and meet its 2020 emission reduction goal of 50%.

As a result of these factors, the University Sustainability Council established a multi-stakeholder workgroup to determine the most cost-effective strategies to address air travel emissions so the campus may meet its 2020 goal. Background information considered by the workgroup includes:

• A carbon offset is a credit for greenhouse gas reductions achieved by one party that — once verified by a qualified third party — can be used to compensate for (offset) the emissions of another party. Carbon offsets meet strict criteria in order to be verified and traded.

• Several other universities including the University of California Berkeley, Duke University, University of Florida, and Yale University have created carbon offset programs to help meet their climate action goals.

• The university has an opportunity to help develop new environmental projects in Maryland and around the world and can benefit from those projects by receiving associated carbon offset credits and creating learning opportunities for faculty and students.

• An independent and recognized third party verification process exists to ensure that carbon offsets are real and additional.

As a result of the workgroup’s report, the University Sustainability Council supports and recommends the following strategies be put in place by the university:

• Continue to prioritize carbon emission reductions through on campus improvements. Maintain the university’s highest priority on reducing carbon emissions through energy efficiency improvements in current buildings and infrastructure.

• Negate all carbon emissions associated with air travel starting in FY18. All carbon emissions associated with air travel for university business, education, and athletics will be negated using verified carbon offsets or investments in on-campus emission reduction activities starting in fiscal year 2018. All offsets will be independently verified through the Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). Offsets from VCS verified land management projects outside the United States will also be independently verified to meet the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCBS).

• Establish a mandatory carbon emission offset surcharge for air travel. The university will establish an annual carbon emission offset surcharge to be collected on all university related air travel.

• Establish a voluntary carbon emission offset program for commuter parking permits. The university will establish an annual carbon emission offset surcharge that may be voluntarily paid by faculty, staff and students toward the purchase of carbon offsets to negate emissions from driving their vehicles to and from campus.

• Establish a carbon offset fund committee. The University Sustainability Council will establish a Carbon Offset Fund Committee represented by key stakeholders that will recommend an annual carbon emission offset surcharge, establish criteria for selecting projects to be funded with the annual revenue from the carbon emission offset surcharge, and select on-campus and offset projects that meet those criteria. The committee will give consideration to offset projects located in the State of Maryland, elsewhere in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, in other regions of the United States, and in developing nations most impacted by climate change. Once surcharges and projects

are approved by the Sustainability Council and other appropriate administrative councils, the university will use carbon emission offset surcharge monies to execute approved purchases.

• Develop a carbon reduction outreach and communication plan. With input from the University Sustainability Council, the Office of Sustainability will work with University Marketing and Communications to create a plan detailing appropriate communication strategies and an associated timeline that will support implementation of the carbon emission offset surcharge and the President’s Energy Conservation Initiative.

Estimated 2018 Costs The cost of purchasing carbon offsets varies from year to year and by the type and location of the projects being supported. Using recent information about global versus local carbon offset pricing, a 5% inflation factor, and a modest growth in air travel miles, it is anticipated that the cost of purchasing carbon offsets in 2018 will be between $4.62 and $8.68 per ton. This results in the following estimates for actual costs:

• The most probable first year cost will be $300,000 to $350,000. Local offsets have the highest cost and very few local, verified carbon offset projects exist. As a result, it is anticipated that the university will support a variety of carbon offsets having a blended rate closer to $5.00 to $6.00 per ton.

• The estimated carbon offset cost for domestic roundtrip flights is $5.00 to $10.00 where average flight cost without offsets is about $540 and for international roundtrip flights the estimated carbon offset cost is $30.00 to $50.00 where average flight cost without offsets is about $1,850. An equitable and appropriate surcharge structure to cover these costs will be determined by the Carbon Offset Fund Committee.

• Starting in 2018, offsetting air travel is expected to reduce the university’s total carbon footprint by approximately 50,000 MT-CO2e. This strategy with other planned energy conservation strategies should allow the campus to meet its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction milestone of 170,000 MT-CO2e .

It should be noted that per flight cost estimates are provided for informational purposes only. Actual costs to purchase carbon offsets will vary based on the marketplace. As noted, the method of assigning those costs through an appropriate surcharge structure will be determined with input from key stakeholders.

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University of Maryland University Sustainability Fund By-Laws

Approved by the University Sustainability Council on March 4, 2010

Amended by the University Sustainability Council on March 16, 2012 and April 29, 2016 Mission Statement The University Sustainability Fund (the Fund) provides funding for projects that promote environmental sustainability, and positively impact and enhance the student experience at UMD. The Fund will allocate funds to projects that increase the use of renewable energy on campus and/or in the local community, increase the energy efficiency of our facilities, reduce the amount of waste created and material resources used on campus, encourage sustainable behaviors, and integrate sustainability into teaching, research, and service at UMD. The Fund is supported by student fees and administered through a student-majority committee of the University Sustainability Council (Sustainability Council).

Article 1: Student Advisory Subcommittee Section 1.1: Powers and Voting The Sustainability Fund Review Committee (the committee) of the University Sustainability Council is responsible for selecting and recommending projects to be funded by the University Sustainability Fund. A simple majority of the committee’s full membership is required to finalize a recommendation. The Sustainability Fund Review Committee reports to the Sustainability Council.

Section 1.2: Duties of the Subcommittee Committee members shall review project applications and recommend allocation of funds to the Sustainability Council. Section 1.3: Member Representation The committee shall consist of at least 3 students and 2 non-students. Additional members may be added by the Sustainability Council.

Voting Members and Terms:

1. The undergraduate member of the Sustainability Council. 2. A minimum of two undergraduate students appointed by the Chair of the Sustainability Council

from nominations provided by the Senate, the Student Government Association, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in consultation with the current chair of the committee. These individuals cannot serve for more than 2 consecutive years as members of the Subcommittee.

3. A non-student member of the University’s Sustainability Council (other than the Director of the Office of Sustainability) or that person’s designee. This individual is appointed by the Chair of the Sustainability Council.

4. The Director of the Office of Sustainability or designee. 5. Designee of the Director of the Office of Sustainability who is responsible for overseeing the

final fund allocations as explained in Section 2 and serving as a non-voting member of the committee.

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In the event that the Graduate students pay a Student Sustainability Fee in the future, the committee will include 2 additional individuals:

1. The graduate student member of the University Sustainability Council. 2. A graduate student appointed by the Chair of the Sustainability Council from nominations

provided by the Dean of the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Government. This individual cannot serve for more than 2 consecutive years as a member of the committee.

The committee shall invite experts/guests to provide information and draw on campus expertise as needed.

Section 1.4: Officers of the Subcommittee The committee shall have two officers: a Chair and a Vice Chair The Chair shall be the undergraduate student representative of the University Sustainability Council and will preside at all meetings of the committee, acting as a facilitator. The Chair shall also coordinate and approve meeting agendas.

At the beginning of each term of office (September 1), the committee will take nominations and volunteers for Vice Chair. The committee shall select the Vice Chair by majority vote. The Vice Chair will assist the Chair with his or her duties. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall assume all duties of the Chair. The Vice Chair must be a student member of the committee.

Section 1.5: Terms of Office Each member of the committee will be appointed for one year beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31 of the following year. The Director of the Office of Sustainability and designee may serve successive terms. The Sustainability Council Chair must solicit nominations and appoint new committee members by May 15 each year.

The Chair and Vice Chair shall hold office for one year.

Section 1.6: Member Qualifications All student members of the committee must be registered (full or part-time) UMD students during their term/s of office. Staff and/or faculty members of the Subcommittee must be currently employed by UMD.

Section 1.7: Member Replacement In the event of repeated absences, conflict of interest, or other appropriate reason, the committee may recommend to the Sustainability Council Chair that a member be removed. In the event a committee member is removed or resigns, the original appointing body will select a replacement. The new committee member will serve the remainder of the original member’s term. Section 1.8: Conflict of Interest

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The committee shall conduct itself in such a way that its decisions avoid conflicts of interest as well as any appearance of a conflict of interest.

Article 2: University Sustainability Fund Coordinator Section 2.1: Duties of the Coordinator The Director of the Office of Sustainability will identify a member of the Office staff or other qualified UMD employee to support the work of the committee as a Fund Coordinator.

The function of the Fund Coordinator is to:

• Assist the committee in publicizing and administering the University Sustainability Fund. • Prepare an annual report of the previous year’s budget and funded projects. • Maintain the archives of the committee. • Monitor the progress of projects that have received funding, via progress and annual reports

submitted by fund recipients. • Orient new committee members as necessary.

Article 3: Allocation of Funds and Project Selection

Section 3.1: Allocation of Funds The committee shall decide which projects to recommend to the University Sustainability Council for funding by a simple majority vote of the full committee membership. The committee may elect to recommend funding for a portion of a proposal. The committee may submit recommendations to the Sustainability Council at any time.

Section 3.2: Criteria for Proposed Projects Proposals for Sustainability Fund grants must be submitted to the Fund Coordinator by a priority deadline of October 15 or a final deadline of January 15. The committee shall give preference and priority to project proposals that meet the following criteria:

REQUIRED

1. Campus Affiliation - Only UMD students, staff members, and/or faculty members can propose projects. Individual students or student organizations proposing a project must include the name and contact information for a faculty or staff sponsor/advisor who is committed to advising throughout the project implementation. All proposers must include the name and contact information for a business officer who will oversee the use of funds for the project.

2. Minimum Request - The proposer requests no less than $2,000 and no more than the total amount available in the Sustainability Fund. Proposers seeking less than $2,000 can request a Sustainability Mini Grant from the Student Government Association’s Sustainability Committee.

3. Innovation - The project is innovative and does not include routine maintenance/equipment replacement or code-compliant activities. The Fund may provide money to cover the cost difference between conventional equipment and/or operations and sustainable alternatives.

4. Itemized Budget and Schedule - The proposer must submit an itemized budget that details the full cost of implementing the project and specifies the budget items for which the proposer is

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seeking Sustainability Fund support. The proposer must also provide an appropriate schedule for completing the project.

5. Metrics and Reporting - The proposal includes a plan for tracking, recording, and reporting the project outcomes back to the Fund Coordinator within 12 months of receiving funding.

PREFERRED

6. Project Outcomes - Sustainability Fund projects typically meet at least one of the following criteria and ideally meet multiple criteria in this section, however, projects that do not meet these criteria may be considered. Please contact the Fund Coordinator prior to applying if your project does not match with one of the following:

a. The project improves the environmental performance of campus operations by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing energy and/or water use, enhancing stormwater management, increasing biodiversity, minimizing waste, etc.

b. The project substantially improves or creates opportunities for UMD students to learn about and develop skills for sustainability or otherwise enhances the UMD student experience.

c. The project involves research that would create substantial opportunities for student involvement and the outcomes of the research have practical implications for improving the environmental performance of campus operations.

7. Appropriate Expenses - The proposer requests Sustainability Fund money to cover the costs for materials and/or skilled labor to implement the project and not salaries or stipends. Furthermore, Fund money would cover only one-time costs and not ongoing costs.

8. Feasibility and Institutional Support - The project is feasible and has the support/approval of appropriate campus individuals and units.

9. Cost/Benefit Analysis - The project proposal outlines the payback period (if applicable) and clearly-defined, measureable outcomes, backed by metrics. The benefits will be considered relative to costs and the availability of monies within the Fund.

10. Matching Funds - The sponsoring department or other entities beyond the Sustainability Fund offer matching financial or in-kind support for the project.

The committee may determine additional requirements and preferences for each year’s funding cycle provided that these criteria are consistent with the overall mission of the University Sustainability Fund and consistent with the criteria and preferences outlined above.

Section 3.3: Review of Proposals The Chair of the Sustainability Council and/or the Office of Sustainability will issue a call for proposals to the campus community by September 15th of each year. Proposals submitted in response to this call should be received by the committee within two weeks following the proposal submission deadline.

Members of the committee may submit proposals for consideration but any member who submits a proposal must recuse him/herself from voting on that proposal.

Article 4: Other Rules Governing University Sustainability Fund A. The committee may not recommend more than 100% of the funds to the Sustainability

Council. Any funds not allocated in a given year shall remain in the Fund account for future use.

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B. Funds allocated to a project that are not spent within the approved project time frame or 1 year, whichever is longer, shall be returned to the Fund for reallocation. Project leaders may request an extension if they will have funds remaining at the end of the approved time frame if the project is ongoing. Requests for extension must be sent to the Fund Coordinator within 30 days of the end of the approved time frame and must include a detailed plan explaining how the project leaders will use the remaining funds to complete the parts of the project that were specifically approved for funding by the Council. The request for extension will be reviewed by the Fund Coordinator. Project leaders cannot use funds past the stated end of approved time frame without written approval from the Fund Coordinator.

C. Fund monies are not to be used or reallocated for purposes other than those described in this document and in the approval issued by the University Sustainability Council.

D. A portion of the Fund monies may be used to promote projects supported by the Fund or the Fund itself. Requests to use these Fund monies must be approved by the University Sustainability Council.

E. The Fund shall continue to operate even after student fees are no longer collected into the Fund, as long as sufficient money remains in the Fund account.

Article 5: Accountability, Records, and Reports

Section 5.1: University Sustainability Fund Accountability to Stakeholders The committee shall make its Fund records available to the public and keep a yearly report of its approved proposals and respective funding decisions. These records and report for a given year shall be presented to the University Sustainability Council on the first meeting of the subsequent academic year, and shall also be made available on the campus sustainability website (www.sustainability.umd.edu).

Section 5.2: Accountability of Projects All projects funded by the Fund shall submit a report to the Fund Coordinator at the conclusion of their project or annually from the date of the project approval, if the project is funded for multiple years. The report must include a budget detailing the spending of all funds and how goals and milestones were achieved.

Upon review of progress or final project reports, the Fund Coordinator shall judge whether the funds were spent within the scope of the project. If the Fund Coordinator decides that the funds were spent outside of the project scope, they may recommend the return of any remaining funds to the Fund. The committee will evaluate the project status based on all available information and make recommendations to the Sustainability Council regarding the return of unused project funds.

Section 5.3: Records and Reporting The committee must keep on record:

• Adequate and correct records of the Fund accounts • Records of projects selected each year and the funds allocated to each. • Reports made to the Fund Coordinator on completed projects and all annual reports received

from projects with on-going benefits.

http://www.sustainability.umd.edu/

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Article 6: Amendment of By-Laws Modifications to these By-laws may be recommended to the University Sustainability Council by a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the voting members of the committee. Recommended modifications must be consistent with the mission of the University Sustainability Fund.

CAP 2.0 – Update on Draft StrategiesMark Stewart and Sally DeLeon, Office of Sustainability

From CAP 2009 to CAP 2.0

CAP 2009• Static document/PDF

• 71 pages

• 52 strategies

• Doesn’t identify implementation leaders

• Doesn’t specify funding sources

• Hard to track and report progress on individual strategies

• Some strategies are now dated or problematic

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From CAP 2009 to CAP 2.0

CAP 2.0• 37 strategies (as of April 2016)

• Website, not a document

– More people will actually look at it

– Simplify the content – show what’s most important

– Dynamic

• Easy to make minor updates to strategies (2.1, 2.2, etc.)

• Easy to show real-time progress on strategies

• Identify implementation leaders

• Identify funding sources per strategy

• Prioritize strategies based on cost and impact

• Show clear roadmap for meeting upcoming targets (2020 and 2025) 3

CAP Targets

2005 (Baseline)

340,198 MT-CO2e

2015

25% Reduction255,148 MT-CO2e

2020


2025


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2014 UMD GHG Emissions

22% Reduction from 2005 Baseline264,956 MT-CO2e 5

Power65% of remainder

75,242 MT-CO2e lower than 2005

emissions!

Commuting12% of remainder

Air Travel19% of remainder

Fleet3% of remainder

Other1% of remainder

Primary CAP 2.0 Objective

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2014 Emissions264,956 MT-CO2e

GHG Reduction Strategies

2020 Target170,099 MT-CO2e

Power Strategies

President's Carbon Neutral New Development Initiative

Target: Negate all emissions associated with the electrical and thermal load of new facilities

Actions: Negate new greenhouse gas emissions from new construction (starting with the Iribe Center) by designing buildings to strict energy-efficiency standards and using energy from renewable sources.

GHG Reduction from 2014 levels:

Emissions will increase 3,182 MT-CO2e due to new facilities (ESJ-LTC and Clark Hall) that are not covered by the Carbon Neutral New Development Initiative. Starting with the Iribe Center, no increase in emissions from campus growth.

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Power Strategies

Additional Capital Investment for High Performing Energy Efficient Buildings

Target: Advocate for greater State funding and utilize other funding sources to achieve high performance new buildings

Actions:

1). State should provide additional capital to construct high performing, energy efficient buildings based on engineering estimates/guarantees of operations and maintenance savings over the life of the building. Currently there is a 2% premium provided for green building construction and design but this is too small an amount to make the radical leap forward that is needed and possible.

2). Facilities Management will seek additional funds for high performance new construction in the form of performance contacts, Energy Reserve Fund loans, or other internal or external loans and grants. 8

Power Strategies

President's Energy Conservation Initiative: Facilities Enhancements

Target: 17% decrease in electricity consumption from existing facilities, through facilities enhancements, between 2014 and 2020

Actions: Infrastructure improvements to achieve 17% decrease in electricity use. These include Energy Performance Contracts for 9 energy intensive facilities, FM and Auxiliary-led projects, Proactive O&M, and IT projects including cloud computing and server virtualization & consolidation.


31,286 MT-CO2e annually by 2020


Power Strategies

President's Energy Conservation Initiative: Behavior Change

Target: 3% decrease in electricity consumption from existing facilities, through behavior change, between 2014 and 2020

Actions: Behavior change to achieve 3% decrease in electricity use. This includes plug load management, Green Offices, Green Housing, and other behavior change programs.




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Power Strategies

President's Purchased Power Initiative

Target: 100% of purchased electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2020

Actions: Increase the percentage of the university’s purchased electricity that is produced by renewable energy sources by purchasing and retiring bundled and/or unbundled Green-e Certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).




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Power Strategies

On-Campus Renewable Energy

Target: 2.7 megawatts of photovoltaic power on UMD facilities by 2017

Actions: 1.9 MW will be installed on three parking garages in 2016 and another 200 kW at IBBR. Combined with the existing 600 kW system at Severn, the campus will have approximately 2.7 MW of PV by 2017.


N/A - Covered by Purchased Power Initiative

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Power Strategies

Carbon Capture Technology

Target: Capture 5% of GHG emissions from the CHP in 2020; twice as much by 2025

Actions: Install algae bioreactor carbon capture technology to absorb carbon dioxide from the Combined Heat and Power Plant's smokestack emissions.




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Power Strategies

Heat and Power Plant Improvements

Target: TBD

Actions: TBD

GHG Reduction/Addition: TBD

Preliminary analysis of a proposal from RMF Engineering shows their recommended changes to CHP would increase Power emissions between 11% and 38%

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Power Strategies

Continuous Improvement of Power Plant Efficiency 2020-2025

Target: Increase central plant efficiency by at least 1% per year for 2020-2025

Actions: Develop partnership with CHP Third Party Operator to improve supply side efficiency by 1% per year.

GHG Reduction: TBD

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Transportation Strategies

Improved Fuel Efficiency of Commuter Vehicles

Target: 25% of vehicles at 35 mpg by 2020; 50% by 2030, and 100% by 2040

Actions: No direct action required from UMD. The fuel efficiency of commuter vehicles should improve as federal fuel efficiency standards (CAFE Standards) for new vehicles become more stringent.




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Additional Student Housing On and Near Campus

Target: Add 2,445 student beds between 2015 and 2020; add 3,784 student beds 2015 and 2025

Actions: The Department of Resident Life and non-affiliated developers intend to construct several new student housing facilities on and near campus between 2015 and 2025. More on and near campus housing means less commuting and commuting-related emissions.




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Support Projects that Improve Bicycle Connectivity between UMD and Local Neighborhoods

Target: By 2020, support at least one new bicycle infrastructure project that connects campus to neighboring communities

Actions: The BikeUMD Coordinator will work with local governments/agencies to plan and implement projects that improve bicycling connectivity between the campus local neighborhoods


No significant emission reduction expected from this strategy

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Increase Use of Vanpools for Commuting

Target: 400 vanpoolers by 2020; 800 by 2025

Actions: Via a contractor, develop employee‐financed vanpools. DOTS will provide preferential parking to vanpool vehicles and promote the vanpool program.


650 MT-CO2e annually by 2020


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Increase Use of Carpooling for Commuting

Target: 50 additional carpoolers by 2020; 100 by 2025

Actions: Promote less formalized, more casual carpooling program. Develop and implement way to quantify actual carpooling numbers (possibly through proximity apps).




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Install More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Target: 43 EV parking spaces with Level 2 chargers by 2020; 64 by 2025

Actions: DOTS will continue to install EV parking spaces with Level 2 chargers on campus.




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Offer Voluntary Carbon Offsets for Commuters

Target: At least 5% of commuters offset their own commuting emissions by 2020; 10% by 2025

Actions: DOTS will offer a calculator that lets people determine their actual carbon footprint and corresponding offset quantity when signing up for a parking permit. The cost of offsets will be added to the permit price.




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Addition of Purple Line Light-Rail Service

Target: 800 commuters will switch from personal vehicles to Purple Line by 2025

Actions: DOTS and the Office of Sustainability will promote Purple Line ridership opportunities to students, faculty, and staff starting the year before trains begin carrying passengers.



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Develop a Plan for Effective Transportation Demand Management Programming

Target: Complete a study of TDM opportunities by mid-2017; develop a plan for implementing new programs by mid-2018

Actions: By mid-2017, complete a study to determine the types of TDM programs (mass transit, vanpools, carpools, etc.) that would be most effective in getting a significant number of UMD commuters to choose alternatives to single-occupancy-vehicle commuting. By mid-2018, develop a plan to implement new programs that would start in 2019.


N/A24

Transportation Strategies(Fleet)

Include GHG Reduction Goals in Fleet Management Contract

Rough Draft Only – Waiting to learn if the fleet will be outsourced.

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Transportation Strategies(Air Travel)

Carbon Neutral Air Travel

Target: Starting in 2018, offset 100% of business, study abroad, and athletic air travel emissions

Actions: The Sustainability Council will establish a Carbon Offset Fund Committee to recommend an annual carbon fee and select offset projects. The standing committee will ensure that the university’s offsets are appropriate each year, given the changing offset price and continuous development of new offset projects.




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Land Use & Maintenance

Quantify the Carbon Sequestration of Forests on University Land and Increase the Tree Canopy on Campus

Target: Quantify carbon sequestration from forests on university land by 2018 and plant at least 100 new trees on campus annually

Actions: UMD Extension will conduct a field study to quantify the acreage and species composition of forests on university land and determine total carbon sequestration by 2018. FM Building and Landscape Services will oversee efforts to increase the net acreage of tree canopy on campus and will plant at least 100 new trees per year toward that goal.


TBD27

Land Use & Maintenance

Carbon Neutral Grounds and Landscaping

Target: Reduce grounds and landscaping emissions incrementally and achieve carbon neutrality for landscape maintenance by 2050

Actions: Facilities Management, RecWell, Extension and other groups that manage grounds and landscape equipment will replace old equipment with lower-emissions models when possible and seek opportunities to implement landscape practices that are less carbon intensive than current practices.


No significant near-term reductions expected

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Solid Waste Strategies

Recycle Appropriate Solid Waste & Compost Appropriate Organic Solid Waste

Target: Individual combined compost and recycling rates of 60% by 2020 and 65% by 2025

Actions: Increase in campus-wide recycling participation to increase the percentage of personal solid waste that individuals on campus divert from landfills. Expand compost collection, increase individual participation in compost collection efforts, and assess feasibility of creating an on-site or nearby compost facility. Conduct periodic waste audits to monitor and minimize contamination.





Reduce Solid Waste Generation

Target: Reduce total solid waste (recycling, compost, and non-C&D landfill) by 1% per person per year

Actions: Foster a university-wide culture of reuse. Increase efforts to reduce usage of disposable materials and packaging on campus.




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Divert Solid Waste from Landfill

Target: Institutional diversion rate of 75% or above every year

Actions: Maintain high levels of landfill diversion for all construction and demolition projects. Individual recycling and compost actions will also contribute to this goal.


N/A - No additional reduction; already achieved target

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Education and Outreach to Promote Waste Reduction

Target: Reach 4000 students through education and outreach initiatives by 2020

Actions: Online video tutorial about compost and recycling, with different versions targeting different campus audiences; Peer education team for zero waste events; Support from the LEAF Outreach Team.


N/A - Contributes to achieving other strategies

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Purchasing Strategies

Expand Sustainable Food Purchasing

Target: Continue 20% sustainable food purchasing or increase by 1% -4% each year

Actions: Diversify purchases to include more humane, ecologically sound, and fair food (as defined by Dining Services’ Sustainable Food Commitment).


Purchasing is not included in the UMD GHG inventory

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Purchasing Strategies

Achieve Compliance with Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy (EPP)

Rough Draft Only – Working with the Department of Procurement and Strategic Supply to develop strategy

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Education & Research Strategies

Educate First Year Undergraduate Students about Sustainability

Target: Reach 100% of students enrolled in UNIV100 and in Honors, Scholars, and Gemstone seminar classes

Actions: Utilize Student Sustainability Advisors (trained undergraduate instructors) to teach a lesson on sustainability in all UNIV100, HONR100, GEMS100, and other freshmen seminar classes.

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Integrate Sustainability across the Curriculum

Target: Run the Chesapeake Project faculty development workshop for at least 15 UMD faculty members annually

Actions: The Chesapeake Project is a multiday workshop to help faculty integrate sustainability across various disciplines. Those who complete the workshop become Chesapeake Project Faculty Fellows and receive ongoing support from the Office of Sustainability and Chesapeake Project Faculty Fellows community.

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Offer more Sustainability Courses in General Education

Target: Increase the percentage of Gen Ed courses that have a focus on sustainability

Actions: This strategy has three components as approved by the Sustainability Council:

A) the Office of the Provost should provide incentives to faculty who develop new sustainability-focused Gen Ed courses;

B) the Office of the Provost should encourage faculty who teach courses in the Sustainability Minor to classify those courses as Gen Ed;

C) OS should encourage the development of sustainability-focused Gen Ed courses through the Chesapeake Project.

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Foster Active Learning Programs on Sustainability and Climate Change

Target: All undergraduates have access to active learning, service learning, or travel‐related sustainability programs

Actions: Provide financial support to University programs that offer students real world experience in solving environmental problems and developing new sustainable technologies. Funds could be used to create institutionalized structures that support special projects, such as the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability and the U.S. Department of Energy’s international Solar Decathlon competition.

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Determine Potential for New Sustainability Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs

Target: By 2017, establish a committee to investigate the potential for new graduate programs in sustainability

Actions: Establish an interdisciplinary committee including faculty, sustainability practitioners, employers, and current/prospective students to determine if new graduate programs could meet needs not currently met by sustainability-related graduate degree programs at UMD or other universities in the Metro DC area. The committee should start its work by the beginning of 2017 and submit its recommendations to the Office of the Provost and Sustainability Council by the end of 2017.

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Assess Students' Sustainability Literacy

Target: Assess the sustainability literacy of undergraduate and graduate students every three years

Actions: The Office of Sustainability will work with appropriate partners to conduct a Sustainability Literacy Assessment of undergraduate and graduate students once every three years.

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Foster Research on Climate Change and Sustainability

Target: Strive for excellence and make annual progress on each of the following actions

Actions: The Council on the Environment (ConE) will coordinate and oversee strategic efforts to place the

University of Maryland at the forefront of environmental and earth system science. ConE will make annual progress on each of the following goals: A. Be globally engaged with regional relevance. B. Lead strategic efforts to place the University of Maryland at the forefront of environmental and earth system science. C. Provide incentives and support the development of cross campus proposals for transdisciplinary environmental research. D. Raise the level of discourse on environmental issues across campus. E. Identify gaps and potential overlap in various college curricula and, as needed, recommend how our students can become more informed about regional and global environmental issues. F. Support the production of a stream of superbly qualified graduates, at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels, who will help to build the future of Maryland and redound to the reputation of the university. G. Raise the profile and visibility of the high quality environmental work done at the University. H. Contribute to the expansion of the economy of the region, state, and nation through effective interactions with the private sector specific to the environment. I. Enhance the work of our federal laboratory partners in the region through co-operative programs. J. Establish an appropriate communications strategy that is commensurate with the University’s world-class scientific capabilities and reputation. K. Foster relationships with alumni, partners and friends to garner financial and strategic support. 41


Support Research on Campus Sustainability through the Sustainability Fund

Target: Provide Sustainability Fund support to at least one research project each year that focuses on improving sustainability at the University of Maryland

Actions: The Sustainability Fund Review Committee of the University Sustainability Council will seek opportunities to fund research projects that:

A) create substantial opportunities for student involvement;

B) have practical implications for improving the environmental performance of campus operations.

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Deploy Research Technologies Developed on Campus

Target: As they become available, deploy cost-effective technologies developed by the UMD research community to reduce environmental impacts

Actions: Faculty and students whose research could influence campus operations should contact the Office of Sustainability to explore the potential for implementing their research technologies. The university may prioritize and offer greater financial support to home-grown technologies versus current commercially available alternatives.

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Roadmap to CAP 2020 Target

51% Reduction from 2005 Baseline166,640 MT-CO2e

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(Growth from ESJ and Clark)

En. Con.: Facilities Enhancements

En. Con.: Behavior Change

Carbon Capture at CHP

Commuter Fuel Efficiency

Carbon Neutral Air Travel

Renewable Purchased Power

Housing and Commuter Programs

Carbon Neutral New Development

Mark [email protected]

Sally [email protected]

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QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

meeting summary april 29, 2016 - university of maryland · 2017-02-13 · meeting summary . april...

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