Meeting Summary March 1, 2013 Council members present: Robert Specter, Vice President for Administration and Finance (Chair) Linda Clement, Vice President for Student Affairs John Farley, Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs Ann Tonggarwee, Assistant to President Scott Lupin, Associate Director, Environmental Safety and Director, Office of Sustainability Joan Kowal, Energy Manager, Facilities Management Bryan Quinn, Director of Technical Operations, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jay Elvove, Manager, OIT Monette Bailey, Senior Writer/Editor, University Relations Eric Wachsman, Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Ross Salawitch, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Steve Hutcheson, Professor, Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics Carol Rogers, Professor, Journalism Clark Rushing, Graduate Student, Biology Karina French, Undergraduate Student, English and Geography Meeting start time: 9:00 am Meeting Highlights Presentation of 2012 Sustainability Progress Report Mark Stewart and Sally DeLeon of the Office of Sustainability presented a brief PowerPoint highlighting several findings from the 2012 Campus Sustainability Progress Report (see Appendix A). The 2012 report was the first time the annual Campus Greenhouse Gas Inventory was combined with the annual Campus Sustainability Metrics Report. The combined Sustainability Progress Report streamlines reporting and makes it easier for stakeholders to find important data. Council members discussed several metrics with particular emphasis on the university’s carbon footprint. Joan Kowal mentioned that the combined heat and power plant (CHP) had some glitches in 2011 so the campus had to compensate for down-time with more purchased electricity, which has higher emissions than CHP electricity. This is one reason purchased electricity increased a bit in 2011. Eric Wachsman commented that we should strive to reduce purchased electricity emissions since they are significantly “dirtier” than CHP emissions. Rob Specter suggested that the current greenhouse gas graph does not adequately show impact of campus growth.
Transcript
Meeting Summary March 1, 2013
Council members present: Robert Specter, Vice President for Administration and Finance (Chair) Linda Clement, Vice President for Student Affairs John Farley, Assistant Vice President for Administrative Affairs Ann Tonggarwee, Assistant to President Scott Lupin, Associate Director, Environmental Safety and Director, Office of Sustainability Joan Kowal, Energy Manager, Facilities Management Bryan Quinn, Director of Technical Operations, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jay Elvove, Manager, OIT Monette Bailey, Senior Writer/Editor, University Relations Eric Wachsman, Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Ross Salawitch, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Steve Hutcheson, Professor, Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics Carol Rogers, Professor, Journalism Clark Rushing, Graduate Student, Biology Karina French, Undergraduate Student, English and Geography Meeting start time: 9:00 am Meeting Highlights Presentation of 2012 Sustainability Progress Report Mark Stewart and Sally DeLeon of the Office of Sustainability presented a brief PowerPoint highlighting several findings from the 2012 Campus Sustainability Progress Report (see Appendix A). The 2012 report was the first time the annual Campus Greenhouse Gas Inventory was combined with the annual Campus Sustainability Metrics Report. The combined Sustainability Progress Report streamlines reporting and makes it easier for stakeholders to find important data. Council members discussed several metrics with particular emphasis on the university’s carbon footprint. Joan Kowal mentioned that the combined heat and power plant (CHP) had some glitches in 2011 so the campus had to compensate for down-time with more purchased electricity, which has higher emissions than CHP electricity. This is one reason purchased electricity increased a bit in 2011. Eric Wachsman commented that we should strive to reduce purchased electricity emissions since they are significantly “dirtier” than CHP emissions. Rob Specter suggested that the current greenhouse gas graph does not adequately show impact of campus growth.
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Conversation turned to air travel, which is becoming an increasingly large portion of the university’s carbon footprint. Ross Salawitch suggested the university could require the purchase of carbon offsets for all air travel or limit air travel to one trip per person per year. Eric Wachsman said creating such a tight restriction on travel is not realistic and he questioned the legitimacy of carbon offsets. Joan Kowal suggested we consider local offset projects so that the university is paying itself for reducing emissions. Sally DeLeon offered that Yale University has optional offsets available that create funding for projects throughout New Haven. Local offsets for UMD could support carbon capture technology on CHP, expanding the Shuttle UM fleet to reduce commuting emissions, and other projects on or near campus that would eliminate carbon emissions from local sources. Scott Lupin pointed out that the university has a big challenge ahead to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2020 and the Office of Sustainability and Council will need to consider some bold strategies to get there. At the next Council meeting, the Sustainable Buildings and Energy Sources Work Group will present some aggressive ideas for reducing emissions through power and operations. University Sustainability Fund – Student Subcommittee Recommendations Karina French presented the Student Advisory Subcommittee’s second round of recommendations for projects to be funded through the University Sustainability Fund. The subcommittee is still deliberating on three proposals but it recommended the following 11 projects receive immediate funding. These projects are described in Appendix B.
Hybrid and Plug‐In Electric Education Laboratory - $45,000. Vote: All in favor.
Green Projects at CSPAC ‐ $20,000. Discussion: Project leaders should seek opportunities to recycle or donate the old lights and other equipment being removed. Vote: All in favor.
Stamp Green Roofs: Living Labs ‐ $20,000. Discussion: Project leaders should compost old sedums and other organic waste from project. Vote: All in favor.
University of Maryland Apiary ‐ $9,600. Vote: All in favor.
Increased Campus Bicycle Parking ‐ $9,300. Discussion: Project leaders must coordinate with FM-Planning to ensure project is aligned with the Facilities Master Plan. Vote: All in favor.
Kim Engineering Bicycle Parking ‐ $8,400. Discussion: Project leaders must coordinate with FM-Planning to ensure project is aligned with the Facilities Master Plan. Vote: All in favor.
Visitor Center Sustainability Upgrades and Outreach ‐ $7,405. Vote: All in favor.
Sustainable Toxic Gas Use ‐ $3,033. Vote: All in favor.
Team PRESSURE ‐ $2,000. Vote: All in favor.
Mobile Applications for Sustainability ‐ $1,000. Vote: All in favor.
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Innovation Portal - $17,000. The Council originally reviewed this proposal in December but tabled it until this meeting to collect additional information from the project leaders. Discussion: Project leaders should work in close coordination and engagement with the Office of Information Technology. Jay Elvove can help project leaders find the right person within OIT to work with. Vote: 14 Yay, 1 Abstain.
New Ideas/Issues from Committee Members Rob Specter reserved some time at the end of the meeting to hear new ideas or concerns from Council members. Ross Salawitch asked if the Council will have the opportunity to provide input on the “East Campus” development plans. Rob said there is a new vision for College Park redevelopment that has a broader scope than just the parcel of land called East Campus. He offered to present the new vision, including the College Park City/University Partnership plan, at the next Council meeting. Still on the topic of East Campus, Karina French suggested that the proposed hotel and conference center be designed and built as a “signature project” for the future of College Park – a model of sustainable design. Ross Salawitch suggested the university pay for a low-earth geothermal system, which commercial tenants on the property would pay for over time. Joan Kowal mentioned the need to sync capital budgets and operating budgets. She also thinks the Council should engage the greater community more and bring them into the discussion about sustainability of the campus and city. Scott Lupin suggested the Council think more about climate change as a “business risk” that requires the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, but equally important, adaptation strategies focused on energy and water issues. He said major corporations and federal installations are increasingly viewing climate change from this perspective to reduce their long-term business and operational risks. Rob said these are important topics to the university and the Office of Sustainability should prepare some material on these issues for the Council. Adjourn: 11:00 am
Faculty and Staff Parking Permits percent 78.2% 85.9% 71.9%
Campus Vehicle Fleet Fuel Use MT-CO2e 6,707 6,813 6,806
Air Travel MT-CO2e 32,107 36,678 44,071
Shuttle-UM Ridership # of rides 2,627,029 2,686,717 2,967,164
Registered Bikes on Campus count 910 1630 2234
GREEN PROCUREMENT
Office Paper Purchasing reams 148,349 127,361 132,448
Green Cleaning percent see report
Sustainable Food in Dining Halls percent 11% 11% 10%
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Students Living on or near Campus percent 38% 44% 46%
Community Education Programs count 57 58 62
Food Recovery Network meals served N/A 5,000 30,000
The Good
Program Indicator: First Year Sustainability Education
Program Indicator: Chesapeake Project Impact and Participation
System Indicator: Recycling Rate
System Indicator: Commuter Parking Permit Purchases
Program Indicator: Shuttle-UM Ridership
And Others! (see the report)
The Challenges
System Indicator: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
System Indicator: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
System Indicator: Air Travel
Questions?
Sustainability Fund Subcommittee Grant Proposal Recommendations University Sustainability Council March 1, 2013
Hybrid and Plug‐In Electric Education Laboratory ‐ $45,000 This proposal from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and Institute of System Research seeks to create an educational laboratory for Plug‐in Electric Vehicle and Electric Vehicle technology, specifically for an undergraduate curriculum. This laboratory would give students the tools to understand and improve the technology of fuel efficient vehicles, and will be unique to the University of Maryland.
The subcommittee voted to fully fund the project. Green Projects at CSPAC ‐ $20,000 This proposal seeks upgrades in light fixtures and washers/dryers in CSPAC. The money will be used to invest in LED (light‐emitting diode) lighting equipment for the Cafritz Foundation and Dance Theatres, replacing the current, less‐efficient Tungsten Halogen downwash PAR lighting system. The lighting upgrade would decrease labor and material costs over the fixtures’ lifespan, as well as energy savings. The payback period is estimated to be 3 years and 1 month.
The subcommittee voted to fund only the light replacement, since buying Energy Star washers and dryers are part of the University’s Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy. We recommend that the lighting equipment be competitively bid, with energy performance specified in the RFP. The project should achieve a real payback within 10 years.
Stamp Green Roofs: Living Labs ‐ $20,000 This proposal from Stamp Student Union seeks to install a new green roof and educational lab in conjunction with the Plant Sciences department. This green roof would replace the subpar green roof that exists now with a more effective design, and allow for students to study green roof maintenance and optimization.
The subcommittee voted to fully fund the project, with the requirement that the funds are used for the development of the new green roof and monitoring equipment and not the removal of the previous green roof. Funds would be contingent on the Plant Science department producing specifications for a campus‐wide green roof design standard.
The University of Maryland Apiary ‐ $9,600 With the support of Dining Services and the guidance of Plant Science faculty, an undergraduate student seeks to create a University of Maryland Apiary consisting of 14 hives, including four observation hives. The Apiary will foster local bee populations and serve as an education tool for all of the campus community. The apiary hives will be installed on the roofs of the South Campus Diner and 251 North, complimenting the hives already in place on the North Campus Diner.
The subcommittee voted to fund $9,600 of the total $11,600 budget, enough money for three years of equipment costs and not funding the requested $2,000 of “reserve” money.
Increased Campus Bicycle Parking ‐ $9,300 This project was proposed by undergraduate students to fund 31 more inverted U‐shaped bicycle parking on campus in general, with specific sites surrounding STEM buildings. The students cite Beverly Malone as their project advisor in DOTS.
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Appendix B
The subcommittee voted to fully fund the project after confirming with Beverly Malone that it would be taken on by DOTS. The locations of the bike racks, however, must reflect the on‐campus bike parking needs defined by DOTS rather than these students. Beverly Malone acknowledges this project and the Kim Engineering Bicycle Parking as part of the same initiative that she would oversee.
Kim Engineering Bicycle Parking ‐ $8,400 This proposal from Beverly Malone of Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) is for funding more inverted U‐shaped bicycle racks by the West entrance of the Kim Engineering Building, enough for 56 more bikes. DOTS does not currently have a budget for bicycle parking, and there is an urgent need for more parking around Kim Engineering Building. This is part of a larger development project of bike infrastructure on this site, including a bike share system and permeable ground cover.
The subcommittee voted to fully fund the project. Visitor Center Sustainability Upgrades and Outreach ‐ $7,405 This proposal is part of a larger sustainability initiative by the Visitor Center. The money will fund a map and interactive display about sustainability initiatives on campus, including some of the projects funded by this grant. It will communicate to visitors the University of Maryland’s commitment to sustainability, and allow them to explore these sites on campus.
The subcommittee voted to fund only the educational component of the proposal, since the Visitor Center has decided to include any other renovations in their own budget.
Sustainable Toxic Gas Use ‐ $3,033 This proposal seeks money to fund research by three graduate students and the Department of Environmental Safety on a more sustainable option for storing toxic gas cylinders. Current state and National Fire Protection Code standards require that cylinders containing toxic gases larger than a lecture bottle be stored in vented cabinets, which are very costly. This leads PI’s to purchase more disposable lecture bottles instead of renting larger re‐usable cylinders. The aim of the research is to gather data verifying that larger compressed toxic cylinders can be safely stored in standard chemical fume hoods instead of expensive vented cabinets. If successful, UMD will seek a change in the NFPA or a waiver from the state to allow larger cylinder storage in fume hoods. This should reduce costs and waste. The subcommittee voted to fully fund this project. Team PRESSURE ‐ $2,000 This Gemstone undergraduate team seeks funding for their research on the optimal construction of piezoelectric wind‐energy harvesting devices. Piezoelectric wind turbines are capable of collecting energy from low velocity winds and with little skyline disruption. Theoretically, these devices could be implemented on the University of Maryland campus. The money requested will allow the team to buy the remaining materials needed to conduct this experiment. The subcommittee voted to fully fund their $2,000 request. Mobile Applications for Sustainability ‐ $1,000 This proposal from College Park Scholars Science Technology and Society Program seeks funding for the development of a “Sustainability Application” through a campus competition. The app would aid the Office of Sustainability in its efforts to educate students in an interactive way rather than purely
informational. The specifics of the app are to be created through a campus‐wide competition for app ideas.
The subcommittee voted to fund $1,000 of incentive money for a campus‐wide competition for app ideas, contingent on the Office of Sustainability’s involvement in the selection of the app. This follows the subcommittee’s precedent of not funding labor costs. If a successful idea comes out of this competition, we urge them to reapply for funds to implement it next year.
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