February 2018
Sustainability in the California State University: The First Assessment of the 2014 Sustainability Policy (2014-2017)
"The CSU campuses of Humboldt, Northridge, Sacramento, San Francisco, San José, San Marcos, and San Luis Obispo were recognized by AASHE in the 2017 Sustainable Campus Index for their exemplary performance and innovative programs in several of the sustainability impact areas assessed through STARS."
"Six additional CSU campuses recently signed on to the BlueTechValley partnership, which will establish on-campus hubs at Bakersfield, Chico, Fresno, Humboldt, Monterey Bay, and Sacramento. This environmental entrepreneurship program is open to all students at the six partner campuses, and will leverage both faculty and industry expertise to provide mentorship and incubator services."
"CSU Humboldt’s Schatz Energy Research Center designs and deploys clean energy technologies and supports research, planning and policy to improve energy access globally. Current priorities include smart grids, international energy access, bioenergy and clean transportation. The Center also designs and implements projects such as the Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) microgrid, a renewable energy project that powers critical infrastructure for the BLR tribal community and the Humboldt County region. This project, developed through funding from the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge program, incorporates stable microgrid operation with high penetration of renewable energy and provides a scalable toolkit for microgrid installations statewide."
"Humboldt State’s innovative food recovery program was developed in response to a study that found a fifth of California State University students reported concern about hunger and food access. Through the Oh Snap program, university staff built campus and community partnerships to increase nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for students. Related food recovery program efforts included reduction of food over-preparation with Dining Services, donation of leftover food to the campus food pantry, edible gardening classes, food waste diversion to a local worm farm, and deployment of a phone app for students that directed them towards free leftover food from campus events."
"The CSU campuses of Humboldt, Northridge, Sacramento, San Francisco, San José, San Marcos, and San Luis Obispo were recognized by AASHE in the 2017 Sustainable Campus Index for their exemplary performance and innovative programs in several of the sustainability impact areas assessed through STARS."
"Six additional CSU campuses recently signed on to the BlueTechValley partnership, which will establish on-campus hubs at Bakersfield, Chico, Fresno, Humboldt, Monterey Bay, and Sacramento. This environmental entrepreneurship program is open to all students at the six partner campuses, and will leverage both faculty and industry expertise to provide mentorship and incubator services."
"CSU Humboldt’s Schatz Energy Research Center designs and deploys clean energy technologies and supports research, planning and policy to improve energy access globally. Current priorities include smart grids, international energy access, bioenergy and clean transportation. The Center also designs and implements projects such as the Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) microgrid, a renewable energy project that powers critical infrastructure for the BLR tribal community and the Humboldt County region. This project, developed through funding from the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge program, incorporates stable microgrid operation with high penetration of renewable energy and provides a scalable toolkit for microgrid installations statewide."
"Humboldt State’s innovative food recovery program was developed in response to a study that found a fifth of California State University students reported concern about hunger and food access. Through the Oh Snap program, university staff built campus and community partnerships to increase nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for students. Related food recovery program efforts included reduction of food over-preparation with Dining Services, donation of leftover food to the campus food pantry, edible gardening classes, food waste diversion to a local worm farm, and deployment of a phone app for students that directed them towards free leftover food from campus events."
Read the full report.
April 23, 2013
CSU Systemwide Solar Power Generation
The CSU is committed to developing reliable distributed generation that increases efficiency and reduces its carbon footprint. The CSU Board of Trustees set a goal of 10 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation by 2014. The CSU plans to exceed this goal by the end of 2012 with 11.5 MW of solar.
The CSU is committed to developing reliable distributed generation that increases efficiency and reduces its carbon footprint. The CSU Board of Trustees set a goal of 10 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation by 2014. The CSU plans to exceed this goal by the end of 2012 with 11.5 MW of solar.
Source: The California State University
April 2012
In April 2012, PowerSave Green Campus (PSGC) submitted a proposal to Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) for a Parking Lot Lighting Retrofit at HSU. This pilot project upgraded 11 parking lot lights in the 14th Street Lot at HSU to a bi-level LED lighting system. Bi-level simply means two levels of light output. The parking lot lights output less light when the parking lot is empty (thereby saving energy) and illuminate fully when it senses movement. The project was led by Max Tanti under the guidance of Richard Engel from Schatz Energy Research Center and was approved by HEIF for up to $25,000. PSGC worked with HEIF to select the best lights for the retrofit.
In the past, PSGC successfully submitted the Relight Redwood Bowl project which upgraded the fixtures in the HSU Stadium to allow fewer lamps to be employed. PGCC has also contributed to other HEIF projects such as the Server Virtualization and the Library Lighting Retrofit.
In the past, PSGC successfully submitted the Relight Redwood Bowl project which upgraded the fixtures in the HSU Stadium to allow fewer lamps to be employed. PGCC has also contributed to other HEIF projects such as the Server Virtualization and the Library Lighting Retrofit.
September 8, 2010
CSU Solar Power Update
In light of the CSU announcement of an agreement to bring more than 13 megawatts of new solar power capacity, the following update features the numerous projects that already exist at the California State University.
In total, 12 megawatts of solar power are either currently in place or will be completed by 2011. Those projects are located on 18 campuses: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos and Sonoma.
Source: CSU Commitment to Sustainability
In light of the CSU announcement of an agreement to bring more than 13 megawatts of new solar power capacity, the following update features the numerous projects that already exist at the California State University.
In total, 12 megawatts of solar power are either currently in place or will be completed by 2011. Those projects are located on 18 campuses: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos and Sonoma.
Source: CSU Commitment to Sustainability
Green Campus Sustainability Pledge
August 12, 2008
Spread the Message, Help Make the Switch
Reps from Green Campus, HEIF, and CCAT traveled with TallChief Comet (HSU's sustainability coordinator) down the coast to Cal Poly SLO for the 2008 UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference. Along the way we stayed with the generous Sol community in Oakland.
Spread the Message, Help Make the Switch
Reps from Green Campus, HEIF, and CCAT traveled with TallChief Comet (HSU's sustainability coordinator) down the coast to Cal Poly SLO for the 2008 UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference. Along the way we stayed with the generous Sol community in Oakland.
Source: UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference 2008 [Postcard], Margot McDonald, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo, Digital Commons @ Cal Poly
Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF)
by Jessica Lamm, Humboldt State University. Download her PowerPoint presentation from the Cal Poly Digital Commons.
by Jessica Lamm, Humboldt State University. Download her PowerPoint presentation from the Cal Poly Digital Commons.
Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT)
by Jeffrey Steuben, Humboldt State University. Download his PowerPoint presentation from the Cal Poly Digital Commons.
by Jeffrey Steuben, Humboldt State University. Download his PowerPoint presentation from the Cal Poly Digital Commons.
July 17, 2008
CFL study at Humboldt State University
Lou Jacobson, a recent MA grad in Sociology (and now an energy auditor at the Redwood Coast Energy Authority), wrote his thesis las year on CFL risk perception and barriers to adoption at Humboldt State. Here are some highlights from the study:
1. 52% have CFLs as their primary light source, and 16% have never heard of CFLs
2. Primary reasons given for not using the technology were (in order): high cost, mercury toxicity, flickering, and brightness
3. Green Campus was cited as a source of information about CFLs for 30% of respondents, where Utilities & Friends had over 60%, and media ads and family both at 45%.
4. Respondents who bought their lightbulbs at a hardware store were more likely to use CFLs than those purchased at grocery stores or "box stores"
5. Statistically, significantly more men used CFLs than women.
6. 49% of respondents did not know what phantom loads were.
And some interesting excerpts:
"Early interactions with the product [CFLs] have left ripples of negative meaning associations that are still prominent within those who do not use the technology."
"First, non-users had more negative meaning attachments for CFL technologies than users. That is, non-users thought that CFLs generally flickered more, were larger than incandescent bulbs, were colder in color, and were dimmer in comparison."
"The results of this study showed that respondents from a small city or town were less likely to use CFLs than those who came from county villages, suburbs or big cities."
Thanks to HSU Energy Management Intern (and Green Campus alumnus) Jeff Steuben for sending this info to us.
CFL study at Humboldt State University
Lou Jacobson, a recent MA grad in Sociology (and now an energy auditor at the Redwood Coast Energy Authority), wrote his thesis las year on CFL risk perception and barriers to adoption at Humboldt State. Here are some highlights from the study:
1. 52% have CFLs as their primary light source, and 16% have never heard of CFLs
2. Primary reasons given for not using the technology were (in order): high cost, mercury toxicity, flickering, and brightness
3. Green Campus was cited as a source of information about CFLs for 30% of respondents, where Utilities & Friends had over 60%, and media ads and family both at 45%.
4. Respondents who bought their lightbulbs at a hardware store were more likely to use CFLs than those purchased at grocery stores or "box stores"
5. Statistically, significantly more men used CFLs than women.
6. 49% of respondents did not know what phantom loads were.
And some interesting excerpts:
"Early interactions with the product [CFLs] have left ripples of negative meaning associations that are still prominent within those who do not use the technology."
"First, non-users had more negative meaning attachments for CFL technologies than users. That is, non-users thought that CFLs generally flickered more, were larger than incandescent bulbs, were colder in color, and were dimmer in comparison."
"The results of this study showed that respondents from a small city or town were less likely to use CFLs than those who came from county villages, suburbs or big cities."
Thanks to HSU Energy Management Intern (and Green Campus alumnus) Jeff Steuben for sending this info to us.
2007
What is PowerSave Campus?
The PowerSave Campus Program (PSC) is a Statewide student-implemented energy efficiency program at 16 UC and CSU campuses as well as 7 campuses in the Tennessee Valley Authority. PSC is a program of the non-profit organization the Alliance to Save Energy. "The Alliance to Save Energy’s PowerSave Campus Program is funded by the ratepayers of California under the auspices of SCE, PG&E, and SempraEnergy." Thank you, Citizens of California, for making our work possible. Since starting in 2004, the HSU PowerSave Campus team has won the 2005 and 2007 UC/CSU Best Practices Award for Student-led Energy Efficiency Programs and the 2007 CSU Office of the Chancellor's Energy Project Competition.
Some of our past accomplishments include:
The PowerSave Campus Program (PSC) is a Statewide student-implemented energy efficiency program at 16 UC and CSU campuses as well as 7 campuses in the Tennessee Valley Authority. PSC is a program of the non-profit organization the Alliance to Save Energy. "The Alliance to Save Energy’s PowerSave Campus Program is funded by the ratepayers of California under the auspices of SCE, PG&E, and SempraEnergy." Thank you, Citizens of California, for making our work possible. Since starting in 2004, the HSU PowerSave Campus team has won the 2005 and 2007 UC/CSU Best Practices Award for Student-led Energy Efficiency Programs and the 2007 CSU Office of the Chancellor's Energy Project Competition.
Some of our past accomplishments include:
- Leading the effort to create HSU's Sustainability Coordinator position
- "Relight Redwood Bowl": de-lamping and retrofit of the stadium lights in Redwood Bowl
- Performing office and building energy audits across campus
- Planning and running energy competitions in the residence halls
- Creating an Energy Star Certified Residence Hall room
- Creating, in cooperation with HSU Housing & Dining, a Housing Energy Management Intern position
- Supplying free CFL's and power strips to the campus community
- Making our own educational video, The Phantom Hunter
August 2, 2006
Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the California State University
August 2, 2006
To: CSU Presidents
From: Chancellor Charles B. Reed
I. Delegation of Authority
II. Energy Conservation Goal
III. Energy Independence Goal
IV. Renewable Energy Procurement
V. Policy on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices and Physical Plant Management
1. Energy Conservation
2. Sustainable Building Practices
3. Physical Plant Management
Source: Executive Order 987, Cal State Executive Orders
To: CSU Presidents
From: Chancellor Charles B. Reed
I. Delegation of Authority
II. Energy Conservation Goal
III. Energy Independence Goal
IV. Renewable Energy Procurement
V. Policy on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices and Physical Plant Management
1. Energy Conservation
2. Sustainable Building Practices
3. Physical Plant Management
Source: Executive Order 987, Cal State Executive Orders