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Approved by the Ithaca College Board of Trustees October 2009. Climate Action Plan. Former President Peggy Williams signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment on May 29, 2007.
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Approvedby theIthaca College Board of Trustees October 2009 Climate Action Plan
Former President Peggy Williams signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment on May 29, 2007.
We commit our institutions to taking the following steps in pursuit of climate neutrality: • Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible. • Within two months of signing this document, create institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan.(Presidents Climate Commitment task team formed) • b. Within one year of signing this document, complete a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel) and update the inventory every other year thereafter.(GHGE inventory already completed for calendar years 2000 – 2007)
32,629 net Over four successive Spring independent student projects, students conducted the College’s comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions inventories for the calendar years 2000-2008. 32,691 net 2007 GHG Emissionsin metric tonnes CO2e
Where did we start? Base Portfolio
32,629metric tons of CO2 equivalents (2007 GHGE)
32,629metric tons of CO2 equivalents (2007 GHGE) 32,629MTCDE
Scope 1 Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources that the institution owns or controls:- natural gas (space- and domestic-water heating) - fuel for College fleet vehicles - chemicals(refrigerants, fertilizers) 24%
Scope 2 Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by equipment or operations owned or controlled by the institution 50%
Scope 3 Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from all other sources that occur as a consequence of the institution’s activities that are not owned or operated by the institution: - student and staff commuting - business travel - solid waste generation 26%
Scope 1 Direct GHG emissions from sources the institution owns or controls. - natural gas (space- and domestic-water heating) - fuel for fleet vehicles - chemicals (refrigerants, fertilizers) Scope 2 Indirect GHG emissions from the generation ofpurchased electricity consumed by equipment or operations owned or controlled by the institution. Scope 3 Indirect GHG emissions from all other sources that occur as a consequence of the institution’s activities but are not owned or operated by the institution. - commuting by faculty and staff and non-resident students - air travel for school business) - solid waste 74% 26%
Metric Tonnes CO2e 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Ithaca College Greenhouse Gas Emissions History
c. Within two years of signing this document, develop an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral, which will include: i. A target date for achieving climate neutrality as soon as possible. ii. Interim targets for goals and actions that will lead to climate neutrality. iii. Actions to make climate neutrality and sustainabilitya part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students. iv. Actions to expand research or other efforts necessary to achieve climate neutrality. v. Mechanisms for tracking progress on goals and actions. Climate Action Plan Due: September 15, 2009
Climate Target and Timeline: 100% by 2050 minimum 2.5% per year reduction
Initiate two or more of the following tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan is being developed. • Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or equivalent. (approved) • b. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. (approved) • c. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution. (still pending) • d. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution. (College supports 100% of bus fare cost for employees; 30% for students)
e. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution’s electricity consumption from renewable sources. (we are purchasing 50% RECs for LEED Platinum buildings (Park Center and PRWC) and 70% for the A&E Center, but this does not meet 15% of institution’s demand). f. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested. (will not be considered) g. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste. (we participate annually in RecycleMania) 3. Make the action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports publicly available by providing them to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for posting and dissemination.(1st and 2nd year reports and all GHGE inventories posted)
What if we did nothing? Base Case “Business as Usual”
“Virtually all of our directly-financed activities resulting in GHG emissions will likely be covered either directly or indirectly under the legislation. Accordingly, Ithaca College will bear the cost of compliance either directly or in the form of higher costs from its energy and transportation supply chains.”
Ithaca College would still be subject to the financial risk of increased energy costs in the future, whether driven by market forces or regulatory requirements. Even if we take no action and continue to operate in a “Business As Usual” mode, the best estimate is that Ithaca College may be subject to future regulatory costs with a present value of $25,000,000.
What if we purchased “offsets” ? Reference Case
What are“offsets”? Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce the CO2 emissions for which they are responsible by offsetting, reducing or displacing CO2 emissions in another place.
Offsets • carbon offsets can come from all different kinds of projects – including renewable energy generation • offsets are measured in metric tons of C02 equivalents • primarily concerned with preventing emissions • offsets are oriented in the present – dealing with preventing greenhouse gasses right now • carbon offsets are exact and verified – a buyer has a degree of certainty that the exact amount of carbon s/he has paid for is actually prevented or captured
Offsets • Examples of carbon offset projects: • reforestation projects • energy efficiency projects • renewable energy projects • methane digestion projects • Offset market is highly variable – costs for carbon offsets range between $5.00 - $35.00 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent (MTCOE), depending on the project and the provider • Finger Lakes Climate Fund - ~$20 per MTCOE for local energy efficiency projects in low income homes in this region
Renewable energy credits • Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are measured in kilowatt hours, the standard electricity measurement • RECs are primarily concerned with promoting the generation of clean energy • RECs only come from renewable energy projects (solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels, etc.) • RECs are forward looking – focused on incenting the creation of renewable energy projects • RECs are less exact, but are recommended to offset electricity use, because you can offset the exact number of kwh of electricity you use or project that you will use
Renewable energy credits Ithaca College already purchases some RECs: 50% of the projected energy use of the Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise 50% of the projected energy use of the Peggy R. Williams Center 70% of the projected energy use of the Athletics and Events Center To purchase 100% RECs for just these three buildings would cost about $10,000 per year. Note that the market price of RECs is highly variable.
Reference Case Climate Neutrality = “having no net GHG emissions, to be achieved by minimizing GHG emissions as much as possible and using carbon offsets or other measures to mitigate the remaining emissions.” Reference Cost = using financial instruments only (no direct actions to reduce emissions) to achieve our 2050 neutrality goal. Present value of Reference cost is estimated to be $15,600,000.
Lighting Upgrades … includes lamp, luminaire and control improvements to existing artificial lighting systems. Based on field findings during retro-commissioning work, specific retrofits will be packaged to yield a blended payback of 7 years. There will likely be additional modest CO2e reductions due to reduced cooling loads. Costs: initial investments to reduce lighting EUI to 1.0 watt/sf from 2.0 watt/sf will yield a 5-year payback. Secondary investments to get lighting EUI to 0.5 watt/sf will yield a 10-year payback. Thus, average payback will be 7 years. Benefits: (1) lighting accounts for 20% of electrical consumption campus-wide (chose low end of 20-30% range); (2) "actual" energy-use intensity (EUI) for lighting is 2.0 watt/sf; (3) after 40 years, target EUI for lighting is 0.5 watts per square foot of building space.
employee commuting natural gas travel electricity
behavior– 3%; 1% space mgmt– 1%; 0% energy mgmt/RCx– 2%; 0% controls upgrade– 20%; 4% employee commuting employee commuting natural gas natural gas travel travel behavior– 5%; 0% behavior – 4%; 2% reuse/recycle– 30%; 1% space management – 1%; 0.25% energy management/RCx– 12%; 6% electricity electricity Years 1-5 controls upgrade – 20%; 10% appliance efficiency standards – 3%; 2%
First Five Years (2010-2015) • complete the metering of all campus buildings & major energy-using systems • upgrade controls for lighting and HVAC systems • expand the data inventory of our energy-using systems • retain an energy manager • retro-commission all existing facilities • develop performance-driven facility design guidelines • feasibility of central plant option • develop energy- and space-use intensity guidelines for construction/renovations • develop building envelope renovation guidelines • standardize energy-using systems and equipment • develop program and policy changes that support emissions-reducing behaviors • demonstration installation of solar domestic water heating • investigate third-party financing of renewable energy technologies (PV/wind) • hire a transportation coordinator to establish commuter reduction goals
What have we accomplished so far? • Retained an Energy Manager – Michelle Jones hired summer 2010 Renegotiated energy contracts, saving thousands of dollars Initiated 10% Energy Campaign to reduce building energy consumption campus-wide an average of 10% • Continue upgrading HVAC and lighting with energy-efficient technologies Re-lamping projects, many with LED technology Comprehensive dining energy and water conservation project Variable-speed drives on HVAC system motors Install controls on energy systems and implement set-backs • Contracted with Clough-Harbor Associates (CHA) to conduct energy audit and retro-commissioning study of all campus buildings CHA will upgrade and complete energy sub-meter installations CHA will also study the feasibility of a central utility plant or regional plants that might eventually be fueled with biofuels
What have we accomplished so far? • Updated the Comprehensive Environmental Policy: Departments shall specify and purchase Energy Star –certified energy-efficient products, where applicable All new facilities and major renovations shall incorporate sustainable practices to the degree feasible and shall strive, at a minimum, to meet the equivalent of a LEED Silver rating in their design. Project management teams are encouraged to meet higher LEED rating levels whenever possible • Expanded College support for alternative transportation for commuting Extended free TCAT usage to part-time staff, Sodexo employees, and to Challenge consumers working on our campus Provide free bus passes to commuters served by Tioga Transit and Chemung Transit systems Underwrite Ithaca Carshare ridership costs for students and staff Underwrite participation in VPSI van pool program Collaborated in the development of Zimride Tompkins,community-wide rideshare system (currently NYSERDA funded)
What have we accomplished so far? • Instituted energy- and water-conserving practices campus-wide All ITS computers/printers on the technology renewal program meet EPEAT and Energy Star standards Facilities grounds has adopted alternative landscape practices in some areas, reducing need for mowing and irrigation Conducted awareness-raising campaigns to solicit adoption of resource-conserving behavior changes • Implementing plans to make the campus fleet more fuel-efficient “Right-sizing” campus vehicle fleet smaller, more fuel-efficient replacement vehicles purchased reducing the need for fleet vehicles through consolidation of services and deliveries specifying “best in class” fuel-efficient vehicles for replacements specifying hybrid technology vehicles where appropriate
What difference can members of the campus community make? Saving one kWh of electricity = 0.86 pounds of CO2 Not combusting one therm of natural gas = 13.45 pounds of CO2 Conserving one gallon of gasoline = 19.6 pounds of CO2 Conserving one gallon of diesel fuel = 22.4 pounds of CO2 Composting one ton of food waste = 2 TONS of CO2 Recycling one ton of paper = 1 TON of CO2 Traveling one fewer commercial air passenger mile = 0.82 pounds of CO2 Using one less gallon of hot water = 0.18 pounds of CO2 Making resource conserving choices can have a profound impact!
First Five Years (2010-2015) • complete the metering of all campus buildings & major energy-using systems IN PROGRESS • upgrade controls for lighting and HVAC systems IN PROGRESS • expand the data inventory of our energy-using systems IN PROGRESS • retain an energy managerDONE • retro-commission all existing facilities IN PROGRESS • develop performance-driven facility design guidelinesPENDING ACTION • feasibility of central plant option STUDY IN PROGRESS • develop energy- and space-use intensity guidelines for construction/renovations PENDING • develop building envelope renovation guidelines PENDING ACTION • standardize energy-using systems and equipment PENDING ACTION • develop program and policy changes to support emissions-reducing behaviors IN PROGRESS • demonstration installation of solar domestic water heating PENDING ACTION • investigate third-party financing of renewable energy technologies (PV/wind)PENDING • hire a transportation coordinator to establish commuter reduction goals PENDING ACTION
Some “success stories” Dining energy conservation project Campus Center Kitchen 1/1/2011 – 12/31/2011: 9,258 therms of natural gas 1/1/2010 – 12/31/2010: 11,760 therms of natural gas Difference in natural gas use from 2010 to 2011: 21.28%reduction Facilities maintenance equipment upgrades and replacements Phillips Hall Motors (variable speed drives installed on motors) 2/1/2011 – 12/31/2011: 1,716,779 kWh 2/1/2010 – 12/31/2010: 1,865,037 kWh Difference in electricity use from 2010 to 2011: 7.95%reduction Gannett Center (re-lamping project) 8/31/2007 – 7/31/2008:1,066,589 kWh 8/31/2005 – 7/31/2006: 1,843,319 kWh Difference in electricity use from 2006 to 2008: 72.82%reduction Science Building (re-lamping, VSDs and laboratory hood system) 1/1/2011 – 12/31/2011: 2,493,385 kWh 1/1/2006 – 12/31/2006: 2,919,285 kWh 14.59% reduction 1/1/2011 – 12/31/2011: 158,385 therms 1/1/2006 – 12/31/2006: 205,726 therms 23.01% reduction
What is “in the works”… Continue dining energy conservation project replace equipment with energy-efficient models continue to train employees to implement energy-conserving practices institute comprehensive preventive maintenance program develop “business case” scenarios for major building system upgrades Continue facilities maintenance equipment upgrades and replacements replace equipment with energy-efficient models institute comprehensive preventive maintenance program Approved capital projects Whalen Center chiller replacement Campus Center boiler replacement Towers boiler replacement Emerson Hall window replacement Roof replacement on Center for Natural Sciences Set-aside funding for energy conservation projects Hill Center project (new windows, insulation)
Finishing Portfolio Wedge Chart Central Utility Plant
better mpg– 25%; 1% behavior– 3%; 1% space mgmt– 1%; 0% fuel switch– 25%; 1% energy mgmt/RCx– 2%; 0% controls upgrade– 20%; 4% env systems upgrades– 8%; 2% GeoExchange – 40%; 9% behavior– 15%; 2% behavior– 20%; 0% employee commuting employee commuting natural gas natural gas travel travel behavior– 5%; 0% behavior – 4%; 2% reuse/recycle– 30%; 1% space management – 1%; 0.25% energy management/RCx– 12%; 6% electricity electricity Years 1-5 controls upgrade – 20%; 10% Years 6-15 appliance efficiency standards – 3%; 2% GeoExchange – 10%; 5% lighting upgrade – 15%; 8%
Next Ten Years (2016-2025) replace aging HVAC plant in buildings install solar domestic water-heating systems for residential and dining facilities install up to two commercial-scale wind turbines on campus assure that best practices in energy efficiency are followed procure alternative-fuel vehicles and develop supportive infrastructure
better mpg– 25%; 1% behavior– 3%; 1% space mgmt– 1%; 0% fuel switch– 25%; 1% energy mgmt/RCx– 2%; 0% controls upgrade– 20%; 4% env systems upgrades– 8%; 2% GeoExchange – 40%; 9% behavior– 15%; 2% behavior– 20%; 0% solar DHW – 6%; 1% employee commuting employee commuting natural gas natural gas travel behavior– 5%; 0% behavior – 4%; 2% reuse/recycle– 30%; 1% space management – 1%; 0.25% energy management/RCx– 12%; 6% utility footprint– 35%; 18% electricity electricity Years 1-5 controls upgrade – 20%; 10% Years 6-15 appliance efficiency standards – 3%; 2% Years 16+ GeoExchange – 10%; 5% lighting upgrade – 15%; 8%