UNE receives $238,000 in grants to reduce its carbon footprint
The University of New England has received three grants totaling more than $238,000 in funding for energy improvements on UNE's Biddeford Campus.
UNE's Sustainability Office applied for the grants, which will be administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commissions Energy Programs Division, known as Efficiency Maine. The grants include:
- $154,160 for building automation and energy management upgrades for greenhouse gas reductions;
- $50,000 for a solar hot water system and a performance monitoring display at the Campus Center; and
- $34,347 for parking lot LED lights to reduce energy consumption and cost.
In response to the growing concern about global warming, in 2008 UNE created the new role of sustainability coordinator and made a commitment to reduce the university's carbon footprint.
Since joining the university in that role in April 2008, Alethea Cariddi has been charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive plan of sustainability initiatives on UNE's Portland and Biddeford campuses, which together serve more than 5,000 students, faculty and staff.
In November 2008, UNE President Danielle Ripich signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, pledging along with other higher education leaders across America to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campus, raise awareness of the issue of global warming, and strive for climate neutrality.
Climate Action Plan
According to Cariddi, UNE is currently writing its draft Climate Action Plan, which will incorporate behavioral change and energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption, include potential renewable energy projects and outline a portfolio of offsets that are both fiscally responsible and environmentally meaningful. This document will help steer the university in its pursuit of climate neutrality.
Recycling
In August 2010, UNE implemented single-sort recycling on its Biddeford Campus, which enables co-mingling of recyclable material - plastics #1-7, glass, metal, paper and cardboard - in one bin, which is a convenient option that significantly reduces waste. The Portland Campus implemented single-sort recycling in 2008. The university also recycles batteries and ink cartridges across both campuses.
"The recycling program is a visible and tactile way that each member of the UNE community can contribute to the environmental sustainability of the university. Expanding the recycling program to capture additional materials was an answer to many requests from students, faculty and staff," said Cariddi.
Alternative Transportation
In 2008 UNE launched a unique alternative transportation program to reduce the number of vehicles on campus. To discourage incoming resident freshman from bringing cars to campus, the college offered free bicycles, helmets and locks to students who promised to leave their cars at home; alternatively, students could choose 28 free hours of Zipcar usage.
UNE also greatly expanded hours and routes on its free downtown shuttle bus. Over 530 bikes have been issued to date, and the program has been so successful that a 95-car riverfront parking lot has been closed, with plans to be converted into green space.
Says Cariddi, "These three grants are a major step forward in UNE's commitment to becoming carbon neutral. I am thrilled that in less than two years, we have made measurable and positive progress toward that goal."