Rio Salado Climate Action Plan
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Transcript of Rio Salado Climate Action Plan

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements 2
Introduction 3
ACUPCCTwo-MonthReportingForm 4
CarbonAudits 5
GHGMitigation 8
• Currentmeasures 8
• Futurestrategies 11
Educational,ResearchandCommunityOutreachEfforts 12
Financing 15
TrackingProgress 16
ClimateNeutrality 17
Appendix1:InsideRio,Volume10No.12008
Appendix2:ACUPCCTwo-MonthReportingForm
Appendix3:ACUPCCReportingSystemInformation
Appendix4:LeadershipCouncilMembership

Page 3 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 2– Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
AcknowledgementsRioSaladoCollegeistotallycommittedtothetriplebottomline(3BL)ofsus-tainability:sociallyjustandequitable,economicallyrobustandenvironmentallyviable.ThisisdemonstratedinthefactthatsustainabilityisoneoftheCol-lege’scorevalues;isGoal8oftheStrategicPlan,Rio2012;andissupportedbyemployeesthroughvolunteerprograms,suchasPay30Forward.TheClimateActionPlan,though,focusesmainlyontheenvironmentalpieceofsustainabil-itythrougheffortstoreducetheCollege’scarbonfootprint.
Whileallemployeessupportsustainability,itwouldnothavebeenpossibletoproducetheRioSaladoCollege2009ClimateActionPlanwithoutthecontribu-tionsofthefollowingindividuals:
2009 Climate Action Plan ContributorsTheOfficeofthePresident Dr.LindaThor,President
Administration*ToddSimmons,VicePresident,BusinessandEmployeeServices
*VernonSmith,VicePresident,TeachingandLearning
LeadershipCouncil(seeAppendix4formembershiplisting)
Faculty*ShannonCorona,PhysicalSciences
BeatrizCohen,Counseling
CollegeStaff AlanTorvie,ArchitectandSustainabilityConsultant
DanielleTomerlin,SustainabilityConsultant
GenevieveWinters,Director,Research,PlanningandDevelopment
ChristyFlora,InstitutionalResearchAnalyst
*ElizabethCole-Fay,ProjectCoordinator
*RichardEspinoza,Director,Facilities
*DorothyStrait,Director,SiteOperations
LindaBird,ExecutiveAssistant
KevinBilder,Director,MarketingandPublicRelations
MatthewFreed,GraphicDesignerII
*SharonKoberna,Dean,AdministrativeandEmployeeServices
* DesignatesamemberoftheRioSaladoCollegeSustainabilitySteeringCommittee
IntroductionRioSaladoCollege(RioSalado)isoneofthe10collegesintheMaricopaCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict(MCCCD),whichisthelargestcommu-nitycollegedistrictinthenation.RioSaladohastheuniquedistinctionofbeing“theMaricopaCollegewith-outwalls.”Mostoftheinstructionisconductedon-line(distancelearning),withinbusinessesorpublicinstitu-tions,orinvariouscommunitycenters.
RioSaladoisoneoffivecollegesintheMCCCDthatwereCharterSignatoriestotheAmericanCollegeandUniver-sityPresidents’ClimateCommitment(ACUPCC)in2007.Thiscommitmenttoreducethecarbonfootprintsofthememberinstitutionsandtoseekclimateneutralitymandatedcertainrequirementsandstrategieslead-ingtosubmittalandexecutionofaClimateActionPlan.
TheRioSaladocarbon footprintisthesumofgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsgeneratedbythestudents
andstaffoftheinstitution.Theseemissionsincludesixdesignatedgasesandrefrigerants,butareprimar-ilycarbonbased–fuelsandelectricitygeneratedfromfossilfuels,andpri-marilycarbondioxide.ThemeasureofgreenhousegasesisexpressedasCO2equivalents(CO2e)andmeasuredinmetrictons.InordertoquantifyandcompareGHGemissionsforcolleges,theACUPCCreportstonsofCO2eperfull-timeequivalentstudent(FTE).TheACUPCCrequirementsincluded:
• WithintwomonthsoftheImple-mentationStartDate,establishaninstitutionalstructuretoguidethedevelopmentandimplementationoftheClimateActionPlan.
• WithintwomonthsoftheImple-mentationStartDate,select2ormoreTangibleActions,selectedfromalistof7options,tobeinitiatedandcompletedwhilethelongtermClimateActionPlanwasbeingdeveloped.
• WithinoneyearoftheImplemen-tationStartDate,andannuallythereafter,completeaninventoryandpublicreportongreenhousegasemissions(CarbonAudit).
• WithintwoyearsoftheImplemen-tationStartDate,developaClimateActionPlanthatincludesatargetdateandinterimmilestonesforachievingclimateneutrality.
• Onanongoingbasis,makepubliclyavailabletheinstitutionalstructure,greenhousegasinventory,ClimateActionPlan,andprogressreports,byprovidingthemtoAASHE(As-sociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation)forpostinganddissemination
ThisClimateActionPlanincludesasummaryofthefindingsoftheRioSaladocarbonauditoffiscalyear2007/2008greenhousegas(GHG)emissions,andthecurrentmeasuresandproposedstrategiestoreducetheRioSaladocarbonfootprint.

Page 5 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 4– Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
ACUPCC Two-Month Reporting FormInstitutional StructureWhentheCollegesubmitteditstwo-monthreportingformitdesignatedtheLeadershipCouncil,whichincludesthePresidentandVicePresidents,Deans,AssociateDeans,FacultyChairs,andstaffandstudentrepresentationastheinstitutionalstructurewiththeresponsibilityforimplementationoftheClimateActionPlan.TheLeadershipCouncilisalsochargedwithadvancingallformsofsustainabilitywithinthecollege.
Carbon Audits2007-2008TheCarbonAuditforfiscalyear2007/2008wascompletedandthereportsubmittedtotheACUPCCinSeptember2008.ACarbonAuditforfiscalyear2008/2009isbeingcompleted,andwillbesubmittedtoACUPCCinSeptember2009.TheCarbonAuditwillberepeatedandsubmittedeachyear.
TheuniqueeducationaldeliverymethodprovidedbyRioSaladoresultsinoneofthesmallestcarbonfootprints(GHGemissionlevelsperstudent&staffpopulation)ofallthecollegesanduniversitiesthathavereportedto
ACUPCC Tangible ActionsRioSaladosubmittedtheACUPCCTwo-MonthReportingFormonNovember15,2007,whichindicatedthree(3)oftheoptionstobeaccomplishedbytheCollege.TheTwo-MonthReportingFormincludedthefollowingTangibleActions:
Action #2: Adopt energy efficient appliance purchas-ing policy
RioSaladoimmediatelyinstitutedapolicyrequiringthatallnewappliancepurchasesbeEnergyStarrated.
Action #4: Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all staff, stu-dents, and visitors
ThisActionrequiredeitherfreeorsubsi-dizedtransitpassesorfreecampusshuttles.ThroughtheMCCCD,RioSaladoprovidessubsidizedtransitpasses.
Action #5: Purchase or produce 15% of electricity from renewable resources
BothutilitycompaniesthatprovideservicetoRioSaladofacilitiesgenerate/purchasepercentagesoftheirelectricityfromrenew-ablesources.SaltRiverProject(SRP)cur-rentlyincorporates5%andwillincreasethatpercentageto15%by2020;andArizonaPublicService(APS)incorporates2%andwillachieve15%by2025.RioSaladoantici-patesreaching15%by2020.Inadditiontopurchasingrenewablepower,RioSaladoisinvestigatingsolarandotherstrategiesforon-siterenewablepowergeneration.
date.TheGHGemissionlevelof.9metrictonsofCO2eisapproximately24%ofthenationalaverageforcommunitycolleges.TheonlyotherinstitutionsreportingtoAASHEthathavesimilarcarbonfootprintsalsoprovideonlyorpredominantlyon-linedistancelearning.
Themajorityofinstitutions,includingRioSaladoCollege,usedtheCleanAir/CoolPlanet(CACP)CampusCarbonCal-culatortodeterminetheGHGemissionscreatedbytheirphysicalplant,students,andstaff.
“The UnIqUe edUCATIonAl delIvery meThod ProvIded by rIo SAlAdo reSUlTS In one of The SmAlleST CArbon fooTPrInTS...”

Page 7 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 6 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
Insummary,theexceptionallysmallcarbonfootprintgen-eratedbyRioSalado’sfacilities,staff,andstudentsistheresultofRioSalado’seducationaldeliverymodalitiesandteachingmethods.
Online Distance Learning:
Onlinedistancelearningisaverysustainabledeliverymodality.Therearetwomainfactorsforthis:theneedforfacilitiesisminimizedandcommutingisnegligible.
•Facilities-BecausethemajorityofRioSalado’sstudentsareonlinelearners,theneedforclass-roomsandotherinstructionalspaceiselimi-nated.RioSalado’sbuildingsconsistprimarilyofadministration,facultyoffices,informationtech-nologyfacilities,andothersupportstaffspaces.
•Commuting-Commutingmilesandtheresul-tantfuelconsumptionareminimal.Commutingtoattendclassroomsessionsiseliminated,andevencommutingforadvising,registration,tobuyandsellbooksatthebookstore,topaytuitionatthecashiers’officeandothercentralofficefunc-tionsisoptional.Allstudent-relatedservicesareavailableonline.Commutingisonlyrequiredformid-termandfinalexaminationsatconvenientcollegelocationsformostcourses.
Off-Site Teaching:
AnotherlargesegmentofRioSalado’steachingisdoneoff-siteforemployeesofcorporateandgov-ernmentalpartners,anddualenrolledhighschoolstudents.ThesedeliverymodalitieseliminatetheneedforCollege-ownedfacilities.
•EducationServicePartners(ESP)-Theinstruc-tionoccursduringworkinghoursand,therefore,thecommutingmileageforthesestudentsisnotreportableforcarbonfootprintpurposesbyRioSalado.Itischargedtotheemployersincetheinstructionoccursasaresultofthestudents’employment.Rioprovideslearningopportuni-tiesforover50majorcorporations,militarybasesandgovernmentalagencies.
•Dualenrollmentsites(highschools)–RioSaladohasdualenrollmentprogramscounty-wideat53highschools.Theinstructertifiedhighschoolteachers.Studentsearnbothhighschoolandcollegecredit.Asaresult,commutingmileageiseliminatedforthisinstructionaldeliverymodal-ity.
•Incarceratedre-entry–RioSaladooperatesanoccupationaltrainingprogramthroughtheAri-zonaDepartmentofCorrectionsforinmates.Thetrainingconsistsofworkforce-basededucation(WBE)andlife-skillsinstruction.Thesestudentsdonotcreateanycommutingemissions.
TheGHGemissionsarecalculatedbythreesources(scopes):
Scope 1 Emissions
Defined-directemissionsoccurringfromsourcesownedorcontrolledbytheinstitution,includingstationaryandmobilecombustionandfugitiveandprocessemissions.
Manycollegesoruniversitiesowncentralpower,steam,chilledwater,orco-generationplants(fixedcombustion),butRioSalado’sprimaryScope1emis-sionsarethosegeneratedbythecollege’svehiclefleet(mobilecombustion).Therearenoprocessemissions(laboratory).Fugitiveemissions–leakageofrefriger-ant,arenotmeasured,butareassumedtobeinsig-nificant.TheRioSalado2007/2008annualScope1emissionstotaledanestimated72metrictonsofCO2e.
Scope 2 Emissions
Defined-indirectemissionsoccurringfrompurchasedelectricity,heating,cooling,orsteam.
RioSalado’s2007/2008Scope2emissionsconsistedofpurchasedelectricityonly,andtotaled4,046tons.
Scope 3 Emissions
Defined-indirectemissionsoccurringfrompurchasedsourcesnotownedorcontrolledbytheinstitution,includingstudentandstaffcommuting,airlinetravel,andsolidwaste.
RioSalado’sScope3emissionstotaled8,304tons,asfollows:
• Commuting 6,585
• AirTravel 594
• SolidWaste 1,125
TotalGHGemissionsforthe2007-2008fiscalyearwere12,422metrictonsofCO2e.TheaverageGHGemissionsof28communitycollegesnationwidethatreportedGHGinventoryresultswere22,842tons.WithaFTEstudentpopulationof13,709,andGHGemissionstotaling12,422tons,theRioSaladofootprintis.91tonsperstudentperyear.Thisratioisapproximately24%ofthenationalcom-munitycollegeaverageof3.84tonsperstudentperyear.
Flee
t em
issi
ons
Purc
hase
d el
ectr
icity
Com
mut
ing
Air
trav
el
Solid
was
te
53.0%
32.6%
0.6%
4.8%
9.1%
TOTAL EMISSIONS - 2008
Ascanbeseenbytheabovechart,only19.0%ofRioSaladoenrollmentsgenerateanysignificantcom-mutingemissions(In-person–11.1%andAdultBasicEducation(ABE)–7.9%).
2008-2009
The2008-2009fiscalyearcarbonauditisunderde-velopmentandwillbepublishedinOctober2009.
In-person 11.1%
Distance (online) 33.9%
ESP 29.8%
Dual Enrolled 13.6%
Incarcerated 3.6%
ABE 7.9%
TOTAL ENROLLMENTS - 2008

Page 9 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 8– Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
Scope 3 Emissions
RioSaladohasimplementedmultipleinitiativestoreducecommutingmileage,including:
• MaricopaCountyTripReductionProgram:
» Carpoolingprogram:
› Registeredcarpoolers:Providesaccesstocarpoolbenefits
› Guaranteedrideshome:assuresregisteredcarpoolerswillgethomeifthedriverisn’tavailable
› Dedicatedpreferentialcarpoolparkingplaces:encouragescarpools
› Carpoolcoordination:collegeassistsfor-mationofpools
› Publicawareness:promotesthebenefitsofcarpooling
• WorkWeekReductionProgram:
» 4daysummerworkweeks:reducesstaffcom-mutingby20%
» Alternate4dayfall,winter,springworkweeks:reducesstaffcommutingby10%
• AlternativeWorkScheduleProgram:
» Telecommuting:substantiallyreducescom-muting
» Staggeredhours/flextime
• PublicTransitAssistance:
» SubsidizedBusPasses:Encouragesuseofpublictransit
» Publictransitdatabasetoassiststaffandstudentsinutilizingpublictransit:allowsstudentsandstafftoeasilydetermineroutesandschedules
GHG MitigationCurrent measuresPriortosigningtheACUPCC,RioSaladoandMCCCDbothhadinstitutedanumberofpracticesfocusedonreducingenergyuse,reducingGHGemissions,andadvancingothersustainabilitymeasures,allfocusedonthesustainabilitytriplebottomlineaspects:environmental,economic,andsocial.Theseincludeconservationofnaturalresources,educationofandoutreachtothecommunity,researchandoperatingcontinuity.TheClimateActionPlanwilladdressprimarilytheenvironmentalcomponent,buttheresultswillalsobenefittheothertwoaspects.
CurrentmeasuresfocusedonGHGemissionreductioninclude:
Scope 1 Emissions
SinceRioSaladodoesnotoperateon-sitepower,steam,orchilledwatercentralplants,andcarefullymonitorsfugitiverefrigerantemissions,theprimaryScope1emissions(72tonsin2008)arethosegenerat-edbyRioSalado’sserviceandcarpoolfleet.SincetheACUPCCImplementationDate,inSeptember,2007,RioSaladohasreplacedoldervehicleswithnewhighefficiencyhybridautomobiles,includingseveralToyotaPriushybridsandbi-fuel(ethanol/gasoline)ChevroletImpalas.
RioSaladoalsoutilizeslowornon-VOCemittingpaints,coatings,andcleaningsupplies,andinspectsHVACunitsregularlytoavoidrefrigerantleakage.
Scope 2 Emissions
Since2007,RioSaladohasadoptedanumberofpoli-ciesaimedatreducingkilowattusage,including:
•Reducedlightinglevels.Duringdaylighthours,mostperimeterofficesandworkspacesoperatewitheitherlightsofforwithonlyhalfthefluo-rescentlampson.Interiorspacesthatarelightlyoccupiedmaintainlowlightlevels
• Adjustedsetlevelsforairconditioning.Summerandlatespring/earlyfallairconditioninglevelsaresethigherthaninpreviousyears.Wintertemperaturesettingsarelower,toreduceheatingcosts
• Replacedmagneticballastswithelectronicbal-lastsandre-lampedfluorescentfixtureswithenergyefficientlamps.Inaddition,RioSaladohasreplacedanumberoffluorescentballastlampunitswithLEDlamps,forfurtherreductioninheatgenerationandenergyusage.
•Replacedthecoolingtowerinthelargestbuild-ing,withnewequipment,includingVariableSpeedDrivesonlargemotors.
• Installeddirectdigitalcontrol(DDC)energyman-agementsystemsinmostbuildings.
• Replacedwatersourceheatpumpunitswithnewerhigherefficiencyenergysavingunits,andestablishedprogressivemaintenancepolicies.
• Employedmanypowersavingandgreentech-nologyprogramstomanageandadministerthetechnologyenvironmentofthecollege;fromEnergy-starcompliantLCDmonitors,tothevirtu-alizationoftheserverenvironment.
• SolidWaste(recycling):Inordertoreducetheimpactofsolidwasteonlandfills,RioSaladoCollegeoperatesanextensiverecyclingprogramwithawiderangeofareas,including:
» Paperandcardboard:Riocontractswithacommercialvendortoacceptpapermaterialsforrecycling.Eachemployeeisfurnishedwithabluepaperrecyclingcontainerattheirofficeorworkstation,andthecontentsarecollectedandsoldtothecommercialvendor.
» ScrapMetal:Aluminum,steel,andcopperarecollectedandsoldtoalocalscrapmetalvendor,toberecycledandre-used.
» PlasticandGlass:Allplasticandglasscontain-ersaresortedandgiventotheCityofTempefortheirrecyclingprogram.
» Hazardousmaterials:Itemscontaininghazard-ousmaterialsorintegratedre-usablemetalsarerecycledthroughprogramsdedicatedtoproperre-useordisposal.Theseitemsincludebatteries,inkcartridges,lightfixturesandcom-puterequipment.
» Carpet:Usedcarpetisrecycledthroughanumberofcommercialsuppliers.
» Furnitureandequipment:RiobothdonatestoandreceivesfurnitureandequipmentfromaDistrictwidepoolfordistributionofuseditemstoavoiddiscardingunneeded,butstillserviceableitems.

Page 11 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 10 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
whereinRiopartnerswithuniversities,otherMaricopacommunitycolleges,andavocationaltraininghighschooldistricttoprovide“one-stop”educationalopportunities.Thisconceptallowssharingoffacilitiesandextendedhoursofoperation,tooptimizetheuseofthesharedspaces;thus,reducingenergy,maintenance,andcommutingcosts.
• RioSaladoispartneringwithBrightenALife,acharitablenon-profit,CauseandEffectEvolutions,amarketingfirmandtheCityofPhoenixtoconstructandoperateagreencharterhighschool.Thetotalcostofconstructing,furnishingandequippingthebuildingsisbeingdonatedbylocalcontrac-tors,engineersandsuppliers.Thecharterhighschoolwillfocuson“greencollar”jobtrain-ing.ThebuildingsarebeingdesignedtobeLEEDplatinum.
Scope 3 Emissions
RioSalado’sScope3emissionsareprimarilythosegeneratedbystu-dentandstaffcommuting.WhiletheCollegehasnocontrolovereither,RioSaladohastakenmanystepstoencouragebothgroupstousealternativestocommutinginsingleoccupantvehicles(SOV).
• Carpooling:Futuremeasureswouldincludeincreasingeffortstoestablishmorecarpoolingopportunities,suchascoordi-natingparkandridelocationsforlong-distancecommutersor
future StrategiesScope 1 Emissions
RioSaladowillcontinuetore-placeoldergasoline-onlyvehicleswithfuelefficienthybridsorall-electricvehicles.
Scope 2 Emissions
BecauseallofRioSalado’sbuild-ingsareall-electric,thereisalargedegreeofpossibleimprovementinScope2emissions.Furtherplannedstrategiesinclude:
• ReplacefluorescentlampswithLEDlamps
• Re-commissionallbuildingsonaregularbasistoensureoptimumperformance.
• ImproveefficiencyofHVACsys-temsbyaddingVariableSpeedDrivesonallappropriatemotors.
• Addorreplaceobsoletemotionsensorstoturnlightsoffinunderusedareas.Theservingutilitieswillhelpanalyzeandre-commis-sionbuildingsystemsinordertoidentifyenergyreductionstrategies.
• Implementalternativerenewableenergyproductionmeasures,suchasphotovoltaicsolarsys-temsincorporatedintocoveredparkingstructures.
• Implementnewandimprovedinformationtechnologiestosup-portenergyandresourceconser-vationthroughouttheCollege’scomputingenvironment.
• RioSaladohasdevelopedtheconceptofa“Communiversity,”
providingfinancialcompensa-tiontocarpoolers.
• PublicTransit:ProvidefreeshuttlesfromtheRioSalado/MCCCDadministrativecom-plextothenewMetroLightRailstations.ThiseffortcanbeundertakeninconjunctionwiththeMCCCDandMaricopaCollegeFoundationbuildingswhichsharethesameblockasRioSalado’sTempesite.Alargeprivateemployeroccupiestheadjacentblockandisan-otherpotentialshuttlepartner.Theseorganizationscouldallworktogethertosupporttheshuttles.RioSaladoiscurrentlyinnegotiationwiththeCityofTempetoprovidean“Orbiter”municipalbusroutebetweentheRioSalado/MCCCDofficesandseverallightrailstations.
• Alternativecommutingmodes:Federallawnowrequiresemployerstoprovideaddedcompensationtoemployeeswhoridetheirbicyclestowork.RioSaladoisworkingwithMCCCDtodevelopprocedurestoprovidethiswhenrequested.RioSaladoalsoplanstoproviderechargeoutletsinparkinglotsforstaffandstudentswhodriverechargeableelectricvehicles.
• SolidWaste:RioSaladowillex-panditsrecyclingefforts.Thisincludesadoptingnewtechnol-ogiesastheyaredeveloped.
Duringthe2007/2008academicyear,

Page 13 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 12 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
RioSaladolaunchedamajorinitiativeinsupportoftheglobalsustainabilitymovement.RioSaladoisunalterablycommittedtodisseminatingitssus-tainabilityeffortsthroughouttheeducationalandbusinesscommunitieswithwhichitinteracts.Theseeffortsinclude:
PublicationsIn2008,theRioSaladoLeadershipteamoverseeingthesustainabilityfocusconductedapaneldiscus-siontopresentmorein-depthinformationaboutcollege-widegoalsandeffortstowardimplementingapositiveplanofaction.ThediscussionincludedthePresidentandaVicePresidentofRioSalado,Deans,AssociateDeansandFacultyChairperson.Thediscus-sionaddressedenvironmental,social,andeconomicsustainabilityandRio’seffortstoaddressthistriplebottomline.Thetextofthediscussionwasincludedinan8-pagepublicationandpostedontheRioSala-dowebsite.ItisincludedherewithasAppendix1.
Sustainable foods ProgramsRioSaladooffersbothOccupationalCertificateandAssociatesDegreesinsustainablefoodssystems.Thisincludes“seedstosupper”philosophies,cook-ingandhospitalityeducation,nutritionaleducation,utilizationoflocalresourcestoreducetransporta-tion,andothersustainableapproachestothefoodsandhospitalityindustries.AspartofthissustainablefoodsystemprogramRioSaladoisassumingop-erationalcontrolofitsfoodservice,whichconsistsoftheCafé@Rio.Theoperationwillfocusonlocalsustainablefoodproduction,reductionofenergyuse,composting,andwastereduction.
Sustainability and ecological literacy ProgramsRioSaladooffersanAcademicCertificateprograminSustainabilityandEcologicalliteracy.Thisprogramteachessustainablelivingpractices,skillsnecessarytobecomeecologicallyandenvironmentallyaware,ad-dressesenvironmentalethics,environmentalbiology,andcarbonfootprintreductionstrategies.
Green Industry PartneringRioSaladoisworkingwithrecognizedlocalgreenindustryorganizationstoconductnon-creditwork-shops,seminars,andotheractivitiestoincreasepublicawarenessofsustainabilityconcepts.Exam-plesare“GreenontheWeekend”–seminarsfocusedoncarbonfootprintreduction,homeretrofittingtoreduceenergyconsumption,useofsustainablebuild-ingmaterials,andotherstrategies.
Infusing Sustainability into Academic ProgramsRioSaladoisactivelyweavingsustainabilitythreadsintomanyoftheirexistingacademicandoccupation-alclasses.Foreignlanguageprograms,forexample,haveincorporatedsustainabilityconceptsandtermsintothecontentoftheclasses.Culinary,horticulture,business,leadership,andmyriadotherprogramshaveincluded“green”conceptsinthecurriculum.
maricopa Sustainability networking GroupTheMaricopaCenterforLearningandInstruction(MCLI)supports“DialogueDays,”anintercollegiateconferencecallthatsupportssystem-wideeffortstoinfusesustainabilityintothecurriculum.
“Pay 30 forward”IncelebrationofRioSalado’s30thanniversary,thePay30Forwardprogramfocusesonsocialsustainabilitybypromoting30,60,and90hourlevelsofpublicvolunteerservice.
America’s Greenest Campus ProjectRioSaladoparticipatesintheAmerica’sGreenestCampuscompetitionwhichfocusesonre-cycling,wastereduction,energyandcarbonfootprintreduc-tion,andotherenvironmentalsustainabilityefforts.
rio Salado College online Sustainability WebsiteAspartofRioSalado’swebsite,www.riosalado.edu,theCollegehasincludedasectiononSustainabilitythatincludes:
• “ThinkingGreen”andBeyond–apositionstatementregardingRioSalado’sapproachtosustainability
• RioSalado’sGreenCommitment–asummaryofRioSaladosustainabilityactionsandtheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresidentsClimateCommitment
• ParticipationinSustainability–Alistingofnationalsustainabilityinitiatives
• “Green”inAction–adiscussionofthebenefitsofon-linelearning,andactionsthatstudentsandstaffcantaketobesustainable–Reduce,Reuse,Recycle.
• LivingGreen–alistingofpartnershipswithlocalclearChannelradiostationsandsustain-abilitytips
• SustainabilityResources–Alistingofover25websitesandotherresourcestomakeadiffer-enceinsustainability.DirectionstotheMetroBusTripPlanner.
• “RethinkYourRubbish”Activity:-Alistof10actionstoreduceandrecycletrash.Reduce,Recycle,andRe-Use.
• FocustheNation,NationalTeach-In:RioSalado’sparticipationinnationalwebcastssup-portingsustainability.
Educational, Research, Community Outreach Efforts

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FinancingAchievingclimateneutralityisaveryexpensivegoal.Eventhoughitwillnotbeaccomplishedfordecades,thetotalcostwillbemillionsofdollars.ItwillbenecessarytoidentifymultiplesourcesoffundingbothwithinandoutsideRioSaladoandtheMCCCD.Therearefourmajorfundingsources:
• Collegeoperationalbudgets
• Collegecapitalbudgetsand/or2004GeneralObliga-tionBondsallocation
• Utilitycompanies’rebateprograms
• Donationsfromcontractors,engineersandsuppliers
College operational budgetsFundingformanyofthesmallerGHGreductionstrategieswillcomedirectlyfromnormalcollegeoperatingbudgets.Thesestrategiesinclude:
• ReplacingfluorescentlampswithLEDlamps.
• Addingorreplacingobsoletemotionsensorstoturnlightsoffinunderusedareas.
• PurchasingEnergy-starappliances.
• ComplyingwiththeCollege’sprogressivemainte-nanceprogramforallHVACequipmenttoensureoptimumoperatingefficiency.
• Re-commissioningallbuildingsonaregularbasistoensureoptimumperformanceofallbuildingsystems.
• Subsidizingbuspasses.
• Maintainingandexpandingthecurrentrecy-clingprogram.
College Capital budgetsCertaincapitalimprovementswouldrequirefundingfromRioSalado’scapitalbudgetsor2004GeneralOb-ligationbondsallocation.Thesecapitalimprovementswouldinclude:
• Collegevehicularfleetimprovements:replacementofolder,lessefficientvehicleswithnewermoreef-
ficienthybrids
• MajorHVACupgrades,suchaswholesalereplace-mentofindividualunitsorreplacementofmajorequipmentitems.
• Massivereplacementoffluorescentlightfixturebal-lastsandlampswithLEDlamps.
• Photovoltaicactivesolarinstallations.
Utility Company rebatesSeveraltypesofrebatesfromlocalutilitycompaniesexistinMaricopaCounty.ThetwoelectricutilitycompaniesservingRioSaladoareSaltRiverProject(SRP)andArizonaPublicSer-vice(APS).Eachcompanyhasthefollowingrebates:
• Energyefficiency
» APSGreenChoice
» SRPPowerWise
• Renewableenergyprojects
» APSGreenChoice
» SRPEarthWiseSolarEnergy
TheserebateprogramscouldprovidesomefundingfortheCollege’sfuturestrategiestobecomeclimateneutral.
Inaddition,eachcompanyhasaprogramwherecustomerscanpayalittleextratocontributetoarenewableenergyfundinordertodemonstratethattheirenergyisbeingprovidedfroma“green”source.Thesearebasicallyrenew-ableenergycredits(RECs).Asalastresort,buyingRECswouldallowtheCollegetoachieveitscommitmenttopurchase15%ofitspowerfromrenewableenergysources.
donationsMuchliketheprovenCauseandEffectEvolutions’method,RioSaladowillbeactivelyseekingcontributionsfromcon-tractors,engineersandsuppliers.Contributionsmaycon-sistofdonatedtimeand/ormaterialsordiscountedpricinginexchangeforthemediaexposurefromsolarprojectstohelpRioSaladobecomeoneofthefirsthighereducationinstitutionstoachieveclimateneutrality.
Tracking ProgressRioSaladoisimplementingmethodstotrackallaspectsofGHGemissionsonanongoingbasis,inordertomeasureprogresstowardclimateneutrality.Becausetheaccount-ingforthecollegeishandledbytheMCCCD,thetrackingmethodswillbenefitall10oftheMCCCDcommunitycol-leges.GHGemissiongeneratorstobetrackedare:
Scope 1 Emissions
RioSaladohasandwillcontinuetotracktotalannualconsumptionofgasolineforthefleet.
Scope 2 Emissions
RioSaladowillcontinuetotrackpowerconsumption,andwillinstituteaplantotrackeachbuildingsepa-rately,inordertomeasureprogressbyfacility.
Scope 3 Emissions
RioSaladowillincreaseeffortstoaccuratelydeter-mineactualstudentandstaffcommutingmiles,tripfrequency,andfuelefficiency.
GHG Audit Updating
TheGHGAuditcompletedinSeptember2008,whichtrackedemissionsforfiscalyear2007/2008willbeupdatedforfiscalyear2008/2009,andannuallythere-after.Theannualresultswillbetrackedandcomparedtoestablishtrendsforallemissions,andprovideaguidelinetowardclimateneutrality.

Page 17 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 16 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
Climate NeutralityInorderforRioSaladotocalculateitsprojectedprogresstowardclimateneutrality,severalas-sumptionsmustbemade.Theannualassump-tionsare:
• MobileEmissions
ThemileagedrivenbytheCollege’sfleetwillnotchangeappreciably.Therefore,CO2ewillnotchange.
• Purchasedelectricity
» TotalpurchasedkWhwillincreaseatarateof2%.
» TotalpercentageofkWhfromrenew-ableenergysourceswillincreaseby12%.ThisincreasemaycomefromactualpowergeneratedbytheCollegeorthroughRECspurchasedfromthelocalutilityproviders.
• Commutingmileage
» Totalstudentcommutingmileagewillincreaseby3%.
» Totalemployeecommutingmileagewilldecreaseby4%.
Basedontheaboveassumptions,RioSaladowillreduceitsaveragecommutingmileageperFTEbynearly65%to420miles.
2030
2026
2022
2018
2014
2028
2024
2020
2016
2010
YEAR RENEWABLE ENERGY
2012
39% Renewable Energy
15% Renewable Energy
Basedontheaboveassumptions,RioSaladowillachieveits“two-monthreportingform”Ac-tion#5goalofusing15%renewableenergybytheyear2020.
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026
2012
2016
1200
1000
800
600
200
400
2020
2024
2030
2028YEAR
COM
MU
TIN
G M
ILEA
GE
per F
TE

Page 19 – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action PlanPage 18 – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan
• AirTravel
Mostinstructionoccursonlineoroff-sitethroughtheuseofadjunctfaculty.Airtravelwillnotchangeappreciablyasenrollmentsgrow.Therefore,CO2ewillnotchange.
• SolidWaste
AsrecyclingtechnologiesimproveandRioSaladoadoptsthesenewtechnologies,theCO2eperFTEwillactuallydecreaseslightly.
• Totalprojectedenrollmentswillincreaseasdetailedbelow.
Currently,RioSalado’s10-yearaverageannualgrowthis7.6%.Thisenroll-mentgrowthprojectionisbasedonanaverageannualgrowthrateof7%.
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026
2012
2016
60K
50K
40K
30K
10K
20K
2020
2024
2030
2028 YEAR
FTE
Basedontheaboveenumeratedassumptions,RioSaladowillhavereduceditscarbonfootprintby67%by2030.ThefollowingchartprojectsRioSalado’sprogresstowardthegoalofclimateneutrality.
2030
2026
2022
2018
2014
2028
2024
2020
2016
2010
YEAR
CO2e / FTE
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
2012

Appendix 1: Inside Rio, Volume 10 No.1 2008




Appendix 2: ACUPCC Two Month Reporting Form

Page X – Rio Salado College Carbon Footprint Action Plan Page X – ACUPCC Carbon Footprint Action Plan

Appendix 3: ACUPCC Reporting System Information
2008 GHG Report for Rio Salado CollegeHOME / GHG REPORT
Submitted on September 15, 2008; last updated on November 26, 2008
Summary StatisticsMaking fair comparisons between higher education institutions is always challengingdue to the rich diversity of higher education. The unverified nature of the informationin this database and unavailability of unbiased normalization metrics means suchcomparisons are even more difficult. Users should therefore approach directinstitution to institution comparisons with caution and recognize that all comparisonsbetween institutions are inherently biased.
TotalPer Full-TimeEnrollment
Per 1000SquareFeet
%Offset
Gross emissions (Scopes 1+ 2)
4,118metric tonsof CO2e
0.1 metrictons ofCO2e
16.8 metrictons ofCO2e
0%
Gross emissions (Scopes 1+ 2 + 3)
12,422metric tonsof CO2e
0.2 metrictons ofCO2e
50.7 metrictons ofCO2e
0%
Net emissions12,422metric tonsof CO2e
0.2 metrictons ofCO2e
50.7 metrictons ofCO2e
N/A
Emissions Inventory Methodology and BoundariesStart date of the 12-monthperiod covered in this report July 1, 2007
Consolidation methodologyused to determineorganizational boundaries
Operational control approach
If any institution-owned, leased, or operated buildings or other holdings thatshould fall within the organizational boundaries are omitted, briefly explainwhy.
N/A
Emissions calculation toolused Clean Air-Cool Planet
Please describe why this tool was selected.
Recommended by PCC
Please describe the source(s) of the emissions coefficients used.
CA-CP automatic calculations
Which version of IPCC's listof global warming potentialsdid you use?
No information provided.
Who primarily conductedthis emissions inventory? Sustainability office staff
Please describe the process of conducting the inventory.
Collection from many departments to gather consumption patterns, commuter

Which version of IPCC's listof global warming potentialsdid you use?
No information provided.
Who primarily conductedthis emissions inventory? Sustainability office staff
Please describe the process of conducting the inventory.
Collection from many departments to gather consumption patterns, commuterhabits, population statistics, etc.
Please describe any emissions sources that were classified as de minimisand explain how a determination of the significance of these emissions wasmade.
None
Please describe any data limitations related to this submission and anymajor assumptions made in response to these limitations.
None
Emissions DataEmissions from the following sources (in metric tons of CO2e)
Scope 1 Emissions
Stationary Combustion 0 metric tons of CO2e
Mobile Combustion 72 metric tons of CO2e
Process Emissions 0 metric tons of CO2e
Fugitive Emissions 0 metric tons of CO2e
Total Scope 1 emissions 72 metric tons of CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions
Purchased Electricity 4,046 metric tons of CO2e
Purchased Heating 0 metric tons of CO2e
Purchased Cooling 0 metric tons of CO2e
Purchased Steam 0 metric tons of CO2e
Total Scope 2 emissions 4,046 metric tons of CO2e
Scope 3 Emissions
Commuting 6,585 metric tons of CO2e
Air Travel 594 metric tons of CO2e
Solid Waste 1,125 metric tons of CO2e
Total Scope 3 emissions 8,304 metric tons of CO2e
Biogenic Emissions
Biogenic Emissions fromStationary Combustion No information provided.
Biogenic Emissions fromMobile Combustion No information provided.
Mitigation DataCarbon Offsets
Biogenic Emissions fromStationary Combustion No information provided.
Biogenic Emissions fromMobile Combustion No information provided.
Mitigation DataCarbon Offsets
Carbon offsets purchased 0 metric tons of CO2e
Offset verification program(s) No information provided.
Description of offsets purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)
None
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Total RECs purchased 0 kWh
Percent of total electricityconsumption mitigatedthrough the purchase ofRECs
No information provided.
Emissions reductions due tothe purchase of RECs No information provided.
REC verification program(s) No information provided.
Description of RECs purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)
None
Sequestration and Carbon Storage
Sequestration due to landowned by the institution 0 metric tons of CO2e
Description of how sequestration was calculated
N/A
Carbon storage due tocomposting No information provided.
Normalization and Contextual DataBuilding Space
Gross square feet of buildingspace 244,831 sq ft
Net assignable square feet oflaboratory space 0 sq ft
Net assignable square feet ofhealth care space 0 sq ft
Net assignable square feet ofresidential space 0 sq ft
Population
Total Student Enrollment(FTE) 60,346
Residential Students 0
Full-time CommuterStudents No information provided.

The Office of the President• Dr.LindaThor,President
Administration• ChrisBustamante,VicePresident,CommunityDevel-
opment&StudentServices
• EdKelty,VicePresident,InformationServices
• ToddSimmons,VicePresident,BusinessandEm-ployeeServices
• Dr.VernonSmith,VicePresident,TeachingandLearning
• KishiaBrock,Dean,StudentServices
• Dr.JoJorgenson,Dean,CommunityDevelopment
• RickKemp,Dean,AcademicandPartnershipPro-grams
• SharonKoberna,Dean,AdministrativeandEmploy-eeServices
• BlairLiddicoat,Dean,AdultBasicEducation
• Dr.JamesPaluzzi,Dean,KJZZ/KBAQ/SunSounds
• DanaReid,Dean,CourseProductionSupport
• MaryRodes,Dean,SalesandMarketing
• RachelleClark,AssociateDean,StudentServicesandAdvisement,MATRepresentative
• MichaelCottam,AssociateDean,InstructionalDesign
• EarnestineHarrison,AssociateDean,Instruction
• RubyMiller,AssociateDean,AdmissionsandRecords
Faculty Chairs• MelanieAbts
• SueAdams
• JanineAdkins
• NicoleAlbo
• AngelaAmbrosia
• KirkBowden
• RonBurns
• PatCase
• ShannonCorona
• HazelDavis
• AngelaFelix
• JenniferFreed
• MaryHannaman
• JohnJensen
• JanetJohnson
• LizKaz
• TomLombardo
• CynthiaMaxson
• RobertSemmler
• KerrieSpecker
College Staff• InhyePeterson,PSAPresident
• VictoriaRosales,PTKStudentRepresentative
Appendix 4: Leadership Council Membership
space 244,831 sq ft
Net assignable square feet oflaboratory space 0 sq ft
Net assignable square feet ofhealth care space 0 sq ft
Net assignable square feet ofresidential space 0 sq ft
Population
Total Student Enrollment(FTE) 60,346
Residential Students 0
Full-time CommuterStudents No information provided.
Part-time CommuterStudents 10,252
Non-Credit Students No information provided.
Full-time Faculty 34
Part-time Faculty 1,100
Full-time Staff 452
Part-time Staff 0
Other Contextual Data
Endowment Size $29,804
Heating Degree Days No information provided.
Cooling Degree Days No information provided.
Please describe any circumstances specific to your institution that providecontext for understanding your greenhouse gas emissions this year.
No information provided.
Supporting DocumentationCompleted inventorynarrative
Rio Salado College Carbon Audit ResultsDownload (PCC Audit Final.pdf)
Completed inventorycalculator Download (PCC Calculator 2008 Only.xls)
Auditing and VerificationThese emissions data have been audited, verified, or peer-reviewed.
Please briefly describe this verification, if any.
Report was prepared by the Sustainability Officer who was hired specifically forthis audit.

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