Energy task force panel presents at aashe 2006 conference 
UNH's Climate and Energy Initiatives Presented at Largest Campus Sustainability Conference Held to Date
October 2006
The leadership of the Unversity of New Hampshire in reducing its emissions of greenhouse gas as criteria air pollutants, lowering its energy costs, conserving energy, and educating faculty, staff, and students about climate and energy issues was on display at the first ever Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference - the largest campus sustainability conference held to date in the United States.
Four members of the UNH Energy Task Force (ETF) gave a Climate Education Initiative and ETF-focused panel presentation titled “Integrating Sustainability Throughout a University’s Core: A Case Study of the University of New Hampshire’s Energy and Climate Initiatives” at the October 4-6, 2006, conference held at Arizona State University in Tempe:
- Tom Kelly, Director, UNH Office of Sustainability: “UNH Energy Task Force: One Innovative Means by which the University of New Hampshire is Meeting its Climate Protection Commitment”
As a Climate Protection Campus, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is committed to reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases, improving energy efficiency, and educating students, faculty, and staff about the relationships among energy choices, climate change, and economic and social well-being. From its integrative, cross-departmental structure to its fostering of links among curriculum, research, and operations on campus, to its empowerment of its members to think outside the box, the UNH Energy Task Force (ETF) is a case study from which other institutions can learn. Chaired by UNH Vice President for Research John Aber, the ETF has faculty, staff, and student members from across campus. From its establishment, the ETF used creative problem-solving to develop initiatives that have already reduced energy use, emissions, and costs. Faculty members on the ETF teach a wide variety of courses that help students understand the climate system and its relationship to ecological and human health. Many also conduct research that informs UNH's involvement in outside scientific studies and policy development. The ETF also supports the involvement of faculty, staff, and students in collaborative research around campus operations. Synergistic efforts like the ETF are what’s needed on more campuses to help lead the way in addressing climate change.
- Sara Cleaves, Associate Director, UNH Office of Sustainability: “Investment in Energy Efficient Operations and Management: An Investment in the University of New Hampshire’s Future”
For over 25 years, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has conducted an on-going energy efficiency program. As a result, UNH has saved several million dollars. In its peer group, UNH is in the top five percent for energy efficiency. But UNH views operations and management as more than just how the University is “run” and powered. Through the UNH Energy Task Force, the UNH Energy Office works with others on campus to conduct energy awareness programs that encourage conservation. As a result of UNH’s continued investment in not only more efficient operations but also in conservation education, UNH’s overall energy efficiency will only improve in the coming years. For example, 2006 starts the first full year of operations of UNH’s new 7.9MW Combined Heat and Power plant, forecast to save the university over $20 million in energy costs, reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40%, and dramatically improve energy security and flexibility through its dual fuel capabilities. What’s more, within two years UNH hopes to be operating the plant on landfill gas from a local landfill facility, further improving efficiency and lowering emissions by supplying energy to the campus from a renewable resource.
- Stephen Pesci, UNH Campus Planning: “Branding Clean Fuel Vehicle Fleets: the University of New Hampshire’s EcoCat Program”
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is a Climate Protection Campus committed to conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas and toxic emissions. Key to this commitment is the university’s investment in clean and alternative fuel fleet and infrastructure. By August 2006, approximately half of the University’s extensive transit fleet became part of a “clean fleet” program with one-third run on alternative fuels. UNH’s Clean Fleet vehicles include low emission biodiesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as well as electric, hybrid, biodiesel (B-20), and CNG general fleet vehicles. Viewing its entire suite of Clean Fleet vehicles as moving educational opportunities, UNH has developed a unique ‘Energy-Star’ equivalent branding campaign targeted at the larger community, grantors, and elected officials. The campaign highlights the importance of clean-fueled, accessible transportation in a comprehensive energy and climate action policy. The presentation will focus on UNH fleet and infrastructure efforts to date; the educational campaign and new programs relating to rental car vendors, anti-idling initiatives and procurement standards.
- Stacy D. VanDeveer, UNH Dept. of Political Science: “Towns, Gowns and Climate Changes: Connecting UNH to political debates about climate policy”
This presentation describes and assesses efforts by UNH faculty, staff, administrators, and students to enhance the connections between individuals and institutions within the University community and political debates and policymakers beyond the campus. Particular attention will be given to the activities of students, faculty and staff associated with several environmental and sustainability oriented courses, as well as those involved in the University’s Office of Sustainability (OS), Climate Education Initiative (CEI), and Energy Task Force (ETF). For example, several faculty and student collaborative research projects have analyzed university, municipal, state, and national climate change and energy policy options. This presentation will also explore and explain how OS, CEI and ETF can be used to gauge, bring together, and integrate faculty and student research, such as through the hosting of conferences and workshops on campus. Curricular and research efforts at UNH around climate change demonstrate how the University can pursue its land grant mission of public engagement even as it enhances it ‘branding’ as a university working at the forefront of contemporary political, social, and technological issues.