College of the Atlantic Provides Leadership in Carbon Emission Reductions
Two educational institutions participating in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, the College of the Atlantic, and The University of Maine, are providing leadership in carbon emissions reductions and green initiatives. Facing the challenge of sustainability, these institutions are showing how both small and large educational communities in Maine can reduce their environmental footprint, and become more sustainable.
In keeping with Maine’s tradition of leadership, College of the Atlantic became the first college in the U.S. to pledge carbon neutrality. More than 270 others have since pledged to do the same as part of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. The Bar Harbor college is on track to be a net zero carbon emitter by the end of 2007! And COA is contracting to use 100% renewable Maine electricity and conducting an energy audit of campus buildings to further reduce their carbon footprint. Now under construction, new 2008 student housing (51 beds) will use wood pellet-fired boilers and efficient in-floor radiant heating. A top environmental news website recently ranked COA the number one “greenest college in the world” for its longstanding focus on sustainability, as well as its pledge of carbon neutrality!
Completed earlier this year in Orono, the University of Maine is home to the first college recreation center to have obtained the Silver level of LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Maine’s public land-grant institution also reports measurable progress (1.3% over the last year) on their way to achieving their 2010 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge. The University’s UMaine Sustainability Alliance notes recent accomplishments that include implementing environmental purchasing procedures, campus-wide vehicle idling policy, development of the “Green Loan Fund” for project loans to improve sustainability, creation of a full-time energy manager position, and conducting a campus wide energy audit to curb energy use. (Since 1990, energy use per student has increased by approximately 50%.) Earlier this month the University launched a campus carpool program to reduce automobile emissions, and created staff carpooling services through GoMaine.org. The Green Campus Initiative is a student-run organization designed to make the University community more sustainable. In addition to resident hall recycling programs and conservation projects, the organization coordinates special campus events, and the formation of “The Green Team” which brings students together to foster discussion and complete projects.
The Governor’s Carbon Challenge, operated out of DEP’s Office of Innovation, is a voluntary goal-setting program to assist businesses and non-profit organizations accomplish their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
