Attendees: Christine Thompson, Cathy Soutar, J.R. Gaddis, Anne Forrestel, Tara Burke, Harriett Merrick, Chuck Kalnbach, Bob Jones, Kay Coots, Ben Farrell, George Hecht, Steve Mital and members of the graduate seminar on campus sustainability: Rebecca Briggs, Rebecca Silver, Bari Doeffinger, Coeylen Barry, Diana Fischetti (Matt Peterson and Megan Murphy part if team but were not able to attend).
Brian Smith: Update on Changes to EIC Charge
Membership now consist of: 3 faculty, 3 students, 2 officers of administration, 2 classified staff, 1 representative from Office of Planning Office and 1 from Environmental Health & Safety; other personnel invited to assist as needed.
The charge requires more comprehensive recommendations and analyses of issues as well as financial impact statements, pros and cons of each issue, and detailed presentations about topics discussed. The committee can reach out to the campus community for the resources needed to fulfill its mission. The EIC is also charged with assisting the university in reaching the goals outlined in the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.
George Hecht: Update on Plans for Complying with President’s Climate Commitment
George pointed to the Good Company benchmarking study for the 2004 calendar year as it addresses green house gases. This is one of the predominant factors of the climate initiative that needs to be managed and minimized. In 2004 UO electricity purchase, heating, and cooling buildings amounted to 90% of all the green house gases we produced. UO purchases electricity at a “wholesale” rate and the Central Power Station generates all the heating, cooling, and distribution of electricity for the campus. Steam is co-generated for heating buildings, cooking, and chilling.
UO is listed in the midrange of a number of universities, generating about 1.9 metric tons per person. Yale is at the top and generated ten times more. In 1964 we used to burn hog fuel and in 1991 changed over to natural gas.
George reviewed a chart outlining a number of goals to be reached between 2007 and 2012. We already have an excellent Sustainable Development Plan that was updated in 2006. While a number of areas have been addressed to some degree, he hopes that the EIC can provide advice on ways to continue to achieve these goals.
Facilities Services is negotiating with the Energy Studies and Building Laboratories (ESBL) for their assistance to work on reaching some of the goals. There are also negotiations with EWEB to partner on purchasing a wind farm.
It is very encouraging that President Frohnmayer has signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.
Campus Sustainability Assessment Presentation
Students from the graduate seminar on campus sustainability assessment presented their key findings, highlights, and recommendations concerning campus sustainability. The entire assessment will be published and available on the sustainability website. This project was funded by Frances Dyke, VP for Finance and Administration.
The following eleven indicators were used to reveal UO’s performance and progress toward sustainability: Governance, endowment investment, academics and culture, materials management, food, green house gas emissions, energy, transportation, water, landscape, and building.
Steve Mital will send the website address to the EIC list serve as soon as it is available in early June.
The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held from 2:00 – 3:30 pm in the EMU Alsea room on June 11, 2007.