USU Committed To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Utah State University has committed to reduce, and ultimately neutralize, greenhouse gas emissions on its campus.

President Stan Albrecht has joined presidents and chancellors throughout the United States in a stand to address global warming by becoming a charter signatory to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, the first university president in Utah to do so.

 

As a result of this commitment, USU will complete a comprehensive inventory of all its greenhouse gas emissions and initiate two or more tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases. This involves several options, including encouraging use of and providing access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors.

 

“Global warming is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century,” Albrecht said. “Our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an extension of our 119-year commitment to sustainability and protecting the fragile environment of the earth.”

 

The initiative seeks the commitment of at least 200 presidents and chancellors by June and more than 1,000 by December 2009. This effort is modeled after the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the Presidents Climate Commitment provides a framework and support for America’s colleges and universities to go climate neutral.

 

"Recycling is one way each of us can reduce global warming,” said Lori Selby, USU’s executive director of administration and sustainability coordinator. “It prevents materials from going to the landfill where they would be converted into methane gas."

 

Utah State University is not new to sustainability endeavors. In 2002, it converted its heat plant from coal-powered to natural gas. This $14 million project helped to reduce pollution in Cache Valley by more than 240 tons of emissions annually.

 

In 1979, USU started a campus shuttle system. By 1999, it began converting from diesel to natural gas buses. Nine buses, out of a fleet of 10, now exclusively burn cleaner natural gas. This year USU purchased five 2008 natural gas models. They are larger capacity CNG, compressed natural gas, buses.

 

These buses emit lower emissions, are more fuel efficient and are safer than past equipment. The university’s shuttle system now averages 6,500 riders per day and serves more than 950,000 riders per year along five routes, Selby said.

 

Paramount to USU’s commitment to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions is its ongoing commitment to public transportation.

 

An increase in shuttle riders means a decrease in auto emissions. This benefits the campus as well as the community through cleaner air and less traffic congestion, Selby said.  

 

The university’s commitment to preserve resources through its recycling program began in 1990. Since then, the recycling program has grown to include a 10,000 square- foot recycling center.

 

 In the fiscal year of 2003-04, USU recycled approximately 26 percent of its total solid waste for a total of 662 tons. The recycling center has four full-time employees and nine student employees, Selby said.

 

Surplus Sales is another critical part of the resource recovery system at USU and is responsible for the collection and sale of used goods from campus, Selby said.

 

Contact: Lori Selby [lori.selby@usu.edu], 435-797-1146