The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has included three Pennsylvania universities on its “Top 30 College and University List of Green Power Users.” The three are Carnegie Mellon at No. 11, Penn State at No. 14 and Temple at No. 27.
According to the agency, as of Oct. 25 the combined annual green power use of the 30 colleges and universities on the list totals nearly 3.8 billion kilowatt-hours of green power, which is equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 351,000 average American homes.
Carnegie Mellon University used 125,005,846 kilowatt-hours of green energy from solar and wind for 111 percent of its total electricity use.
The university noted, “By purchasing third-party certified, renewable energy certificates from national wind sources, the university receives 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
“Carnegie-Mellon continues to seek ways to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to purchasing RECs for 100 percent of our annual electricity use, in October of 2017 we contracted for 100 percent of our electricity supply for the next 2 years to come from a wind farm.”
Penn State used 106,276,6000 kilowatt-hours of green energy from hydro and solar for 33 percent of its total electricity use.
The university explained, “An onsite 2-megawatt solar array at the University Park campus acts as a true living lab. Penn State purchased the energy produces from a 6-megawatt hydroelectric generating plant on Mahoning Creek. In 2019 Penn State entered into a 25-year solar power purchase agreement for the 100 percent of the electricity generated from a newly constructed 70-megawatt project over 3 locations in Franklin County. The solar farms produce over 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, supplying 25 percent of the university’s statewide electricity needs and lowering Penn State’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“Beyond the carbon reduction and cost-saving benefits, Penn State has a wider mission to maximize the sustainability impacts of solar farming with a comprehensive approach that bolsters resilience in rural communities, fosters biodiversity, improves soil health, enhances pollinator habitat and continues agricultural use through rotational sheep grazing. More than 50 Penn State students with a variety of majors have experiences and will continue to have access to a variety of learning, research and internship opportunities related to the solar project.”
Temple used 48,924,000 kilowatt-hours of green energy from various sources to supply 27 percent of its electricity needs.
“The university’s Climate Action Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions each year. In the event that Temple falls short of annual goals, it has pledged to purchase renewable energy credits to close the gap. The Climate Action Plan’s tactics include switching to a 50 percent renewable source for electricity, launching a waste composition study, and pursuing energy-efficient projects and building practices.
The top 10 universities on the list are University of California, 480,801,183 kilowatt hours for 46 of its electricity needs; Arizona State University, 254,322,901 kilowatt-hours for 78 percent; Columbia University, 232,109,000 kilowatt-hours for 100 percent; University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, 216,403,405 kilowatt-hours for 102 percent; Boston University, 205,000,000 kilowatt-hours for 100 percent; Stanford University, 186,275,157 kilowatt-hours for 69 percent; University of Maryland, 171,274,825 kilowatt-hours for 68 percent; Georgetown University, 152,404,000 kilowatt-hours for 127 percent; University of Arizona/Main Campus, 131,020,104 kilowatt-hours for 67 percent; and University of Utah, 129,873,801 kilowatt-hours for 43 percent.
