The
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s sustainability efforts have caught the
attention of a national automaker.
Chevrolet
has chosen to partner with UW-Stevens Point and a handful of other institutions
of higher education that undertake energy-efficiency and renewable-energy
projects. As part of a voluntary carbon reduction initiative, it is buying and
retiring carbon credits from colleges that have reduced greenhouse gas
emissions to permanently benefit the environment. The credits will not be used
to offset emissions related to specific Chevrolet operations or products at any
site.
The
announcement comes on National Campus Sustainability Day. UW-Stevens Point is
the only campus in Wisconsin selected.
“Our mission includes dedication to sustainability and a
commitment to prepare students for a diverse, sustainable world. This
partnership amplifies our commitment to energy efficiency,” said Chancellor
Bernie Patterson, adding: “UW-Stevens Point has made significant progress
toward becoming climate neutral.”
UW-Stevens
Point was considered because its performance ranks among the top 15 percent of
universities in the nation for energy conservation. Greenhouse gas emissions
have declined at UW-Stevens Point since switching from coal to natural gas at
the heating plant. Chevy looked at emissions of all on-campus fuel combustion,
except vehicle fuels, for a period of time following a 2007-11 baseline. In
fiscal year 2012, UW-Stevens Point consumed no coal. The Chevy carbon
reduction project uses an average reduction over several years. It calculated
UW-Stevens Point reduced emissions on average by 10 percent annually.
“Energy
conservation and greenhouse gas reduction are important aspects of our efforts
to continually improve and minimize our impact on the environment,” said
Sustainability Coordinator Dave Barbier at UW-Stevens Point. “We are honored to
partner with Chevrolet in this innovative program and to play a role in the
emerging field of carbon markets.”
The
campus will receive an estimated $30,000 to $35,000 for its carbon credits,
which will be reinvested in additional energy-savings projects. One possibility
being considered is a wind turbine demonstration.
“The
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is taking big steps to lessen its carbon
footprint,” said GM Sustainability Director David Tulauskas. “We support the
cause for cleaner air, and our commitment extends beyond our own vehicles and
facilities. Through this effort, Chevrolet is supporting the ingenious ways colleges are fueling the clean
energy movement and engaging students along the way.”
A
college’s energy efficiency performance must qualify as
beyond-business-as-usual greenhouse gas reductions. If verified as voluntary
carbon credits, Chevrolet, and potentially other entities in the future, would
then pay campuses for these reductions and permanently retire them. UW-Stevens
Point is among 675 campuses in the nation pledging to go carbon neutral. This
funding from Chevrolet can help universities reach their goals.
Chevrolet’s
investment
is part of a broader commitment to prevent up to 8 million metric tons of
carbon dioxide from entering the air in a five-year period.
Other
campuses announcing partnerships with Chevrolet today are:
For more information, visit www.uwsp.edu/sustainability. Follow the sustainability
conversation on Twitter and tell Chevrolet about campus clean-energy efforts at
#CleanEnergyU.
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