ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
December 3, 2002
Umpqua Room

ATTENDEES: Bob Jones, Anne Forrestel, Steve Mital, Paige West, Gregg Stripp, Kay Coots, Robyn Hathcock, Chris Jones, Vivian Vassall, Dorene Steggell, Julia Heydon, Levi Strom, Karyn Kaplan, Jo Rodgers

Guests: Harriet Merrick, Josh Ruddick

Subcommittees

CCAT: Bob Jones and Gregg Stripp volunteered to join this subcommittee.

Education: Robyn Hathcock met with the group to discuss an Environmental Studies Residential FIG. The subcommittee felt that Robyn already had a good start on this project. They also considered whether their time might be better spent on broader campus-wide education.

Vivian is giving a 20-30 minutes presentation at the Program Council meeting on February 6^th. She and ASUO volunteers are developing a game to encourage environmental awareness. Any ideas on tips for student groups and for sandwich board signs would be appreciated.

The subcommittee discussed presentation methods, e.g., KWVA, sandwich boards, and newspaper articles. They plan to contact the Daily Emerald environmental reporter. Julia e-mailed the listserv and asked for additional ideas and input.

Transportation: They met for a brainstorming session and touched on areas such as shuttles, car sharing, and restructure of parking fees. Dorene provided the group with a lot of information, and it was concluded that further research is required before formulating a plan.

Environmental Literacy Requirement: Anne began investigating curriculum procedures. She concluded that this is a very daunting process and strongly suggests the need for influential, tenured faculty involvement. Kay suggested that we might want to form a task force and invite someone such as Nathan Tublitz or Frank Stahl. Anne will first talk to John Baldwin regarding the best way to proceed. She stressed that support needs to be built gradually and carefully.

Paige pointed out that most departments already offer classes that incorporate or focus on environmental issues. This demonstrates faculty support and interest.

Energy

Josh Ruddick is the Facilities Services Energy Specialist. He explained that the Central Power Station boilers formerly ran on hog fuel and now run on natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil. There are two relatively new chillers that run on electricity. During the winter approximately 30,000 kilopounds of steam are sent out on average each month. Almost all buildings are metered for electricity; some are metered for steam and chilled water. Josh collects the data and profiles building energy use. He listed a number of energy conservation measures put into effect in recent years: new chillers, more efficient air compressor, lighting retrofits, direct digital controls (DDC), time clocks, reduced motor energy use, improved insulation, use of more passive cooling techniques.

Energy use over the last twelve months compared to an average of the past four years shows a 7.5% reduction. Electricity alone showed an 11% reduction in kilowatts. The reduction is even more impressive considering that more buildings have been added over the years.

Customer Service at Facilities Services, 346-2319, may be called to report problems or concerns regarding energy use on campus.

Paige recently visited EWEB and found that they own one-third of the Foot Creek Rim wind project. EWEB is the only public utility in Oregon that has a separate administration from the city council and has purchased its own plants. This lessens the market fluctuation impact. Three percent of Eugene residents have currently signed up for wind-generated power.

Anne reported that Lewis and Clark initiated strong conservation measures and saved enough so that they could to spend more on renewable energy. Students have the option on their tuition bill to check off a certain amount be used to purchase renewable energy.

CCAT/Sustainable Demonstration House at the UO

Jo and four other representatives met with Dan Williams as a follow up to the presentation at the November 21st EIC meeting. Dan supports the project; however, due to the University’s decentralized structure he will need to talk to Mike Eyster, Christine Thompson, and others about the project. In addition to student support, Dan also advised that one department act as a sponsor.

Karyn suggested the group enlist ASUO’s support. In addition, she felt that a demonstration site set up during Earth Day would be helpful.

Announcements

There will be an open house for the UO East Campus Area Development Policy Draft:

4:00 – 6:30 p.m. on December 4^th in the EMU concourse and 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. on December 5 and a workshop from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in Agate Hall.

John Baldwin brought a display panel board with descriptions of various strategies and principles used on campus to reduce energy, to handle runoff, etc. It is used to present these concepts and share best practices with officials from other universities.

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 22^nd, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. in the EMU Rogue Room.