SUSTAINABILITY PROGRESS REPORT

2014

SUSTAINABILITY PROGRESS REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Climate Action Plan – Energy ................................................................ 1 Climate Action Plan – Transportation / Green Purchasing ..................... 2 Climate Action Plan – Adaptation Measures ......................................... 3 Sustainable Food & Dining Services ...................................................... 4 Water Conservation .............................................................................. 5 Waste Diversion & Recycling ................................................................. 6 Low Impact Development & Green Building ......................................... 7 Outreach & Engagement ................................................................. 8-10

2014 University of Connecticut Office of Environmental Policy

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

(Rich Miller is Director of the Office of Environmental Policy, which oversees UConn’s sustainability and environmental

compliance programs.)

The University of Connecticut is committed to leadership in campus sustainability, including objective measure-

ment and clear, concise communications about our progress. This report highlights UConn’s performance to date on a

wide range of sustainability metrics. We’ve selected certain metrics from the University’s May 2014 responses to the

Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) survey, which was developed by the Association for the Ad-

vancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS data is not only the standard for self-assessment of sus-

tainability in higher education but also the basis for green campus rankings like the Sierra Club’s Cool Schools survey.

We’re proud of the many initiatives and accomplishments that have earned UConn a top 10 ranking in both the

Cool Schools and GreenMetric World University ratings for each of the past three years. From the Office of Environmental

Policy, our thanks to the countless students, faculty, staff, senior administrators and other stakeholders throughout the

University community for the vital role you play in our success. And while this progress report highlights several of these

environmental success stories and positive trends, it also shows some not-so-stellar measurements that suggest there is

still ample room for improvement.

Now, as the University moves forward with Next Gen CT, which calls for $1.5 billion in STEM-related capital pro-

jects by 2025, we have a unique opportunity to build from this strong foundation of environmental leadership. Through

our continued teamwork and commitment to sustainability principles, I’m confident our next progress report will feature

better performance and even loftier goals.

Finally, without the help of the student sustainability staff in the OEP, this report would not have been possible.

My thanks to our exceptional group of 2014-15 undergraduate interns listed below, and especially to our graduate stu-

dent Sustainability Coordinators, Sarah Munro, a third year PhD student in Political Science, who served as Managing Edi-

tor, and Eric Grulke, a first year Masters’ student in Environmental Engineering, who assisted with all aspects of produc-

tion.

We invite you to read UConn’s first Sustainability Progress Report and welcome your feedback!

OEP Interns – 2014-15

Emily McInerney (7th semester, NRE)

Meredith Hillmon (7th semester, ENVS)

Marisa Smith (7th semester, POLS & NRE)

Brianna Church (5th semester, ENVE)

Christopher Bruno (5th semester, ARE)

Kerrin Kinnear (5th semester, EVST)

Rose Croog (5th semester, ARE)

Please send your comments and suggestions to envpolicy@uconn.edu

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN - EMISSION REDUCTION MEASURES / ENERGY

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This past year, UConn completed

implementation of Phases 1 and 2

of RCx, bringing the RCx imple-

mentation total to 19 buildings

and saving $2.2 million per year in

energy costs.

Through 2013, UConn also com-

pleted a long-term re-lamping

contract with ConnServ, bringing

the three-year total to 115 build-

ings that received more energy

efficient bulbs, fixtures and occu-

pancy sensors. Collectively, these

re-lamping projects have avoided

3,900 tons per year of eCO2 and

saved $660,000 in energy costs

annually.

Under a long-term agreement

executed in late-2013, 40% of

UConn’s purchased electricity

from Connecticut Light & Power

(CL&P) in 2014 was comprised of

renewable energy.

Through 2013 and the first quar-

ter of 2014, 1.8% of UConn’s

clean energy came from its 400

kW fuel cell, which supplied most

of the electricity and some of the

thermal energy for the Depot

Campus.

Through two phases of retro-commissioning (RCx) and three years of re-lamping, UConn has successfully reduced its car-

bon footprint in existing buildings by 17% since 2010.

Factors such as natural gas curtailment, that required UConn to switch to oil at the Cogen facility, along with energy

demand from new buildings and additions, translated to a net increase in GHG emissions in 2013 compared to 2012,

Producing electricity , heating, and cooling to campus buildings accounts for more than 85% of UConn’s GHG

inventory.

(Scopes 1, 2, and 3*)

124,251 Mt eCO2

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN - TRANSPORTATION GREEN PURCHASING

Transportation

In 2013, UConn’s Transportation Services,

with OEP’s assistance, obtained a grant of

$260,000 from the Connecticut DOT’s Clean

Fuel program to help replace several older,

gasoline-fueled cars and light-duty trucks

with newer, hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs).

Mostly as a result of this grant, in 2013 and

2014, UConn’s transportation fleet now in-

cludes 16 hybrid vehicles and 11 plug-in

EVs.

In 2013, OEP also helped Transportation &

Parking Services obtain a $4,000 grant from

DEEP for two EV charging stations to be in-

stalled in the North and South Parking Gar-

ages. UConn’s Storrs Campus is on CT’s “Plug

My Ride” network.

One of UConn’s EStar Utility Vans charging at the electric vehicle charging

station at the University motor pool. (OEP Photo)

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UConn’s GEM Carts are being utilized for sustainable on-campus

transportation. (OEP Photo)

Vendor Code of Conduct

Social and Environmental Responsibility

Principle Expectations Preferential Standards

Nondiscrimination Living Wages

Collective Bargaining Human Rights

Fair Labor Standards Environmentally Sustainable Products &

Services (Recycled Content, Recyclable,

Energy Efficient, Organic, Biodegradable

or plant-based, products that are dura-

ble and easily reparable, and that meet

certification standards above and be-

yond Connecticut General Statutes 4a-

67a through 4a-67h).

Employee Health & Safety

Environmental Compliance

Prohibits forced or child labor

Green Purchasing UConn has adopted a variety of purchasing policies that reflect the university’s commitment to social responsibility and environ-mental sustainability. Two of such policies include: 1) purchasing paper with at least 30% recycled content; 2) purchasing only cleaning products with low impacts on the environment or on indoor air quality. In addition, the Vendor Code of Conduct guarantees that the Uni-

versity partners only with vendors that demonstrate sustainable

responsibility and respect for fundamental human rights.

UConn also requires that where possible only Energy Star appli-

ances and electronics rated EPEAT Silver or higher be purchased

campus-wide.

UConn President Susan Herbst speaks at an event to announce the launch of CIRCA.

Attendees included Governor Malloy, U.S. Senator Blumenthal, Congressman

Courtney, EPA Region 1 Administrator Spalding, DEEP Commissioner Esty, UConn

Provost Choi, and Board of Trustees Chairman McHugh. (Peter Morenus/UConn

Photo)

The Connecticut Institute for Resiliency and Climate Ad-

aptation (CIRCA)

Established in January 2014, at UConn’s coastal Avery Point campus,

CIRCA is the embodiment of the 2012 Adaptation amendment to

UConn’s 2010 Climate Action Plan. CIRCA assists Connecticut commu-

nities and property owners withstand future climate challenges by

conducting interdisciplinary research and outreach focused on building

resiliency to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, and

more frequent severe storms.

Depot Campus Clean Energy Microgrid

In 2013, OEP served as Principal Investigator in coordinating the efforts of

research faculty, operational staff, contractors, and DEEP in obtaining a

$2.14 million grant to install a clean energy microgrid at the Depot Cam-

pus. This grant would enable UConn to use a 400 kW hydrogen fuel cell

and solar array as the primary sources of energy for several facilities at

the Depot, independent from the electrical grid and regardless of any

widespread power outage.

The April 2014 filing of Chapter 11 reorganization under the US Bankrupt-

cy Code by the fuel cell owner/operator (ClearEdge), and subsequent

acquisition of the company by a multi-national Korean-based manufactur-

er, Doosan, has put this project on hold pending certainty about the fu-

ture of the business and, more recently, discussions with the new owner.

UConn’s Clean Energy Microgrid will be centered around the 400kw hydrogen fuel cell and will operate in “island mode” even during grid power outages. The fuel cell reduc-es UConn’s carbon footprint by more than 800 tons a year compared to receiving power from more conventional fuel-burning sources. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN - ADAPTATION MEASURES

3

Through 2013 and into 2014, 25% of

UConn’s dining services food and bever-

age purchases were local and community

based.

In 2014, UConn Dining Services (DDS) also

received recognition from PETA as a top-

ranked vegan-friendly and #1 ranked glu-

ten free university in the nation.

Student Farmers at Spring Valley Farm harvest food for consumption on campus. (SVF Photo)

In June 2014, Buckley Dining Hall

(pictured left) became UConn’s

first Green Restaurant certified

dining facility, signifying a commit-

ment to sustainability in all aspects

of food procurement and service

operations.

(UConn Honors Photo)

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & DINING SERVICES

4

UConn’s focus on conservation since 2005 has

reduced water consumption by 26% at the main

campus, despite an 11% increase in the popula-

tion served.

In addition to the reclaimed water facility (RWF),

UConn’s water reductions are attributable to

many supply-side and demand-side conservation

measures, such as:

An aggressive water transmission and distri-

bution system leak detection and repair pro-

gram

Monitors and controls on various water sup-

ply system equipment

Low flow fixtures, such as showerheads, fau-

cet aerators and toilets

Increased demand-side behavioral conserva-

tion outreach

UConn’s RWF enables use of treated wastewater for cooling at UConn’s cogen facility, conserving up to 450,000 gallons per day of drinking water. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

WATER CONSERVATION

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New lids and labels are being deployed this year to promote mixed

recycling on campus. (OEP Photo) The Whitney Dining Hall eCorect ™ reducing food waste. (OEP Photo)

In 2013, UConn achieved a 35% waste diversion rate,

avoiding disposal by our contract hauler, mostly

through solid waste incinerators and, occasionally,

longer trips to out-of-state landfills.

UConn Dining Services utilizes in-kitchen food waste decomposers/eCorect ™ units in five of UConn’s dining halls, which process and convert the waste into a compost-like material, virtually overnight.

Currently the units reduce food waste 75-80% by volume, (from 100 tons of food waste to nearly 20 tons of reusable material in 2013) with the potential for a 100% reduction, if a suitable year-round use of the compost-like material can be found.

WASTE DIVERSION & RECYCLING

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UConn’s recycling rate calculated using the municipal solid waste and recycling

tonnage, quantifying just our recycling rate and not our total waste diversion.

UConn houses a state of the art agricultural composting facility, constructed in

2010. The facility manages 800 tons a year of agricultural and other organic

wastes, to produce high quality compost. (OEP Photo)

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT & GREEN BUILDING

Low Impact Development (LID)

There are six different types of LID features used in

more than 20 locations across campus.

Over 400,000 square feet of campus area is covered

using LID practices.

The cumulative annual volume of storm water reduc-

tion by campus LID practices is equal to 56 Olympic

swimming pools!

Green Building & LEED

LEED SILVER — 380,000 Square Feet Total

Burton Football Complex & Shenkman Training Center

Gentry, Charles B. (NEAG)

Torrey Life Sciences Building (Partial Renovation)

Bousfield Psychology Building*

Storrs Hall*

Young Building*

Basketball Practice Facility*

LEED GOLD— 217,000 Square Feet Total

Laurel Hall

Oak Building

McMahon Dining Hall

* Pending Certification

56 x

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In addition, the Innovation Partnership Building, STEM Residence

Hall, and the Engineering Science Building are all registered

buildings to be constructed to at least a LEED Silver rating and

will add over 418,000 square feet to the campus total.

EcoMadness 2013

EcoMadness is a month long energy

and water conservation competi-

tion, among residents of 23 mostly

first-and second-year dorms, held

during mid-fall semester.

Each participating building or clus-

ter of two or three buildings, has a

sub-meter that measures the

amount of water (in gallons) and

the amount of energy (in kilowatt-

hours) consumed per day.

Third Annual Climate Impact Mitigation and Adaptation Event (CIMA3) 2014

The event was headed by a keynote address from the EPA Administrator for New England, Curt Spalding.

Faculty speakers offered their own climate-related research and provided a discussion panel followed by a “plain-language” poster ses-

sion and networking luncheon for members of the University community and public.

Closing remarks on the immediacy of needed action on climate change were offered by Eban Goodstein, the Director of Center for Envi-

ronmental Policy and Sustainability MBA at Bard College and organizer of climate change activism events like Focus the Nation.

University Faculty answer questions at CIMA 3 as part of the climate research panel. (OEP Photo)

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT

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Students enjoy the EDSF Vendors and entertainment. (OEP Photo)

Earth Day Spring Fling (EDSF) 2014

Each year, OEP works with Dining Services Local Routes pro-

gram to co-sponsor EDSF, UConn’s largest campus-wide envi-

ronmental outreach event.

In April 2014, a diversity of exhibitors and vendors from the

university and local community hosted 35 to 40 booths assem-

bled on Fairfield Way.

Biennial Environmental Awareness Survey

Energy/Water Dashboard Rollout

In 2014, two of UConn’s new LEED Gold-certified buildings,

Laurel Hall and Oak Hall, were both outfitted with real-time

energy and water dashboards.

OEP works to ensure that these dashboards are integrated

into various UConn curricula, through classes and projects that

engage students in exercises related to conservation of water,

electricity, and steam use in buildings. Each dashboard also

provides an interactive green campus and green building tour.

The dashboard interface can be accessed in person at the ki-

osks stationed in the main lobbies or on-line at

http://uconn.greentouchscreen.com/

Green Touch Screens are available for student use. (OEP Photo)

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT

Survey results from over 400 undergraduates, asking how often they recycle in

their dorms.

The Office of Environmental Policy began surveying the UConn student body in 2004 in order to gauge the level of environmen-tal awareness and knowledge in the student population.

The biennial survey results are compiled on the Office of Environ-mental Policy’s website, with a focus on trend data:

http://www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/outreach/easurvey.html

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The diagram below shows the integrative approach of the OEP’s Sustainability Office, highlighting various partnerships and the

range of activities throughout the year related to engagement, leadership, communications, and collaboration on sustainability

issues.

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT

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