URI’s Energy Future: Cutting Costs,
Carbon, and Global Change
S. Bradley Moran, Ph.D.
Assistant VP for Research Administration
Professor of Oceanography
University of Rhode Island
• Where Is URI Now?
• Where Should URI Be?
• How Does URI Get There?
Report available at: http://www.uri.edu/research/tro/uriacupccrept.pdf
An Environmental Assessment of URI
Prepared as Part of the ACUPCC
December 2008
INTRODUCTION
• In 2007, President Robert Carothers of the The University of
Rhode Island signed the American College & University
Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). This report
documents the results of an environmental assessment of URI,
which is required by all ACUPCC signatory institutions.
• This report includes data on the institutions community
population, operating costs, building space, energy use and
costs, vehicle transportation, solid waste disposal, material
recycling, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also included
are projected GHG emissions and energy costs, and strategies
for reducing the institutions environmental footprint.
• GHG emissions resulting from URI operations (heating, cooling,
waste disposal, transportation) were calculated using the Clean
Air-Cool Planet calculator, Version 5.1.
• This report is intended for broad dissemination as URI looks for
new and creative ways to increase operating efficiency and
reduce energy use, costs and associated GHG emissions.
A University’s Unique Position:
Working on Multidisciplinary “Grand Challenges”
Natural
Sciences
Private
Sector
Global Change:
Climate
Business &
Economics
Political
Sciences
Social
Sciences, Arts
& Humanities
Economic Development
{
{
Technology
Public
Sector
Where Is URI Now?
“Further, National Grid has proposed and the PUC has
accepted a 34.8% rate increase from the current 9.2
cents/Kwh to 12.4 cents/Kwh as of July 15, 2008. In
addition there will probably be another rate increase of
24.2% on January 1, 2009 to 15.4 cents/Kwh if fuel prices
continue to maintain and it could go even higher if fuel
prices continue to rise. URI uses a mixture of oil and
natural gas in our heating plant, and of course all of our
electricity comes from National Grid, as does the gas. Our
projected utility costs related to the rate increases for
National Grid alone will total $1.3M above budget.”
URI President Robert Carothers
July 31, 2008
URI Space, Operating Cost & Funding
FY 1990-2007
28%
256%
URI Community
FY 1990-2007
18% increase
3%increase
URI Energy Use: FY 1997-2007
83%
URI Commuter Fuel Usage
FY 1990-2007
~16% increase
~4% decrease
Full & Part-Time Students
40% vehicle commute
90% driving alone
10% carpooling
1 trip/day
160 days/ye a r
20 miles/trip
Summer Students
40% vehicle commute
90% driving alone
10% carpooling
1 trip/day
40 days/ye a r
20 miles/trip
Faculty
95% vehicle commute
95% driving alone
5% carpooling
1 trip/day
200 days/ye a r
30 miles/trip
URI Fleet Fuel Usage
FY 1997-2007
~17% reduction in URI fleet consumption…but insignificant
compared to URI community fuel use.
URI Trash Disposal and Recycling
Annual Average Solid Waste (Tons)
FY 2005-2007
Annual Average Recycling Weights (Tons)
FY 2001-2007
397 Recycled
(12%)
53 Cans &
Bottles
(14%)
187 Paper
(49%)
2932 Trash
(88%)
40%
143 Cardboard
(37%)
No cost incentive:
~$250/ton for trash or
recycled material
URI Total eCO2 Emissions
FY 1996-2007
URI Total GHG Emissions
Metric Tons eCO2 - FY 2007
2,758
26,727
45%
43,830
23,561
Transportation is URI’s biggest individual opportunity to lower eCO2.
URI Carbon Footprint
FY 1996-2007
Despite more buildings, eCO2 footprint nearly constant over past decade.
URI eCO2 Emissions per Capita
FY 1996-2007
Faculty, Staff & Students
Students
North American CO2 emissions
per Capita (CDIAC)
URI Energy Costs
FY 1997-2007
~60%
*
*
@9.2 cents/kWh = $6.0M
@12.4 cents/kWh = $8.1
~$2M higher cost**
**
@15.4 cents/kWh = $10M
~$4M higher cost
Where Should URI Be?
GHG Reduction Strategies - A “Solution Set”
*
* Courtesy M. Leinen
URI Total CO2 Projected Emissions
FY 1990-2020
B
As U
u s in e s s
su al
10-20% NORESCO
20% Renew
able-E
RGGI Target1
CCAP Target2
1
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) agreement will cap carbon dioxide emissions from power plants from January 1, 2009
through the beginning of 2015. Member states will subsequently be required to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent by
2019.
2
The New England governors and the Eastern Canadian premiers issued a Climate Change Action Plan in August 2001, which calls
for the reduction of greenhouse gases to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.
URI Projected Energy Costs
FY 1997-2020
?
su
As U
al
s
c tio n
s
u
d
e
e
in
sco R
e
Bus
r
o
n
% N n a l R e d u c tio
0
2
1 0 A d d itio
20%
Renewable energy
$M’s*
*Energy efficiency + renewable = $M’s in potential annual cost savings.
How Does URI Get There?
Key Points - How Does URI Get There?
• Commit to Reducing GHG Emissions and Energy Costs
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
adopt LEED certification
implement and assess cost-effective energy conservation measures
ENERGY STAR lighting, insulation, water conservation/heating
diesel fleet conversion to biofuels
establish URI commuter policy to change commuting practices
increase energy information distribution; wireless meters
develop carbon offset strategy
recycling: increase and improve participation
• Develop new education initiatives
–
–
–
–
–
–
URI 101 - include carbon footprint presentation
MBA-MO - “The Blue MBA”
MBA”
Minor in Sustainability
competitive student involvement; student (dorm) eco-challenges
URI Student Sustainability Initiative Fund
dynamic website, reporting, public outreach, education
• Climate Sustainability Initiative: CSI@URI
– URI “magnet”
magnet” for admin, education, research-funding, outreach
– strategy for URI’
URI’s commitment to ACUPCC and leadership footprint
– Co-Directors and student “green”
green” ambassadors.
Acknowledgements & Contacts
Facilities
URI Population
Dave Lamb
URI Utilities Engineer
874-7896
639-7362
[email protected]
Gary Boden
Senior Information Technologist
874-4465
[email protected]
Jerome B. Sidio
Director, University Facilities Services
874-5488
[email protected]
Budget
Jayne Pelletier
Budget Specialist II
874-4414
[email protected]
Peyton Gibson
Assistant Director, Financial Administration
874-4788
[email protected]
Cheryl Rand
Budget Specialist III
874-2509
[email protected]
URI Fleet
Barbara Phayre, RI State
222-6212
Tom Harney, URI
874-2681
Space
Cynthia Faria
Coordinator, Space, Excess/Srpls Property
874-4282
[email protected]
Janice Hill
Systems Support Technician
874-2503
[email protected]
URI Commuting and Parking
Patricia Gardner
Information Service Technician
874-5478
[email protected]
Robert Drapeau, Director, Security
874-2109
[email protected]
Facilities–Agricultural
Dave Bascom
Assistant Director, Facilities and Operations/L&G
874-5515
b’[email protected]
Recycling
Nancy Hawksley
Recycling Coordinator
874-2840
[email protected]
Safety and Risk
Barbara Ray
Coordinator, Hazardous Material & Chemical Waste
874-7993
[email protected]