The Daily OrangeSU submits energy conservation plan
By Julia Terruso
Posted: 9/16/09, 3:59 AM EST Section: News
Syracuse University submitted a five-part plan for reducing carbon emissions to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment on Tuesday. SU became one of 400 universities to send in a plan for carbon neutrality.
Now, the ACUPCC steering committee at SU must take the 54-page blueprint it has created, and put it into action. The $20-$80 billion plan spans the next 30 years and details how SU will reach carbon neutrality by 2040.
"We have a plan that we think is responsible and that will lead to climate neutrality long after we're no longer here, but it'll be before the middle of the century," said Mitch Wallerstein, chair of the ACUPCC steering committee and Dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Last September the steering committee submitted a greenhouse gas inventory to ACUPCC, which analyzed the total number of greenhouse gasses emitted by SU through surveys and estimates. The data was used to create this plan.
The plan is broken down into five parts: energy conservation through existing technologies, energy conservation through developing technologies, creation of energy from renewable sources, behavioral changes and the possible use of energy offsets.
Energy Conservation based on existing technology
Part of the university's conservation plan includes sustainable building. SU's two newest buildings, Ernie Davis Hall and the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, are both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Each future university building will meet LEED requirements, said Tim Sweet, SU director of energy and computing management.
Many existing initiatives deal with SU's infrastructure, such as window replacement and leak repairs, enhancement of steam and chilled water lines, boiler replacement and domestic hot water upgrade. Other campus-wide conservation projects being looked at include: green computing across campus and improved water conservation.
Energy Efficiency based on emerging technologies
Now, the ACUPCC steering committee at SU must take the 54-page blueprint it has created, and put it into action. The $20-$80 billion plan spans the next 30 years and details how SU will reach carbon neutrality by 2040.
"We have a plan that we think is responsible and that will lead to climate neutrality long after we're no longer here, but it'll be before the middle of the century," said Mitch Wallerstein, chair of the ACUPCC steering committee and Dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Last September the steering committee submitted a greenhouse gas inventory to ACUPCC, which analyzed the total number of greenhouse gasses emitted by SU through surveys and estimates. The data was used to create this plan.
The plan is broken down into five parts: energy conservation through existing technologies, energy conservation through developing technologies, creation of energy from renewable sources, behavioral changes and the possible use of energy offsets.
Energy Conservation based on existing technology
Part of the university's conservation plan includes sustainable building. SU's two newest buildings, Ernie Davis Hall and the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, are both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Each future university building will meet LEED requirements, said Tim Sweet, SU director of energy and computing management.
Many existing initiatives deal with SU's infrastructure, such as window replacement and leak repairs, enhancement of steam and chilled water lines, boiler replacement and domestic hot water upgrade. Other campus-wide conservation projects being looked at include: green computing across campus and improved water conservation.
Energy Efficiency based on emerging technologies
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