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  2. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Green Lab Program
    AFMFA- Deferred Maintenance Funds

    On November 1, the ECBS SWATeam had their fourth meeting of FY17. Representatives Doris Reeser and Brad Klein from the Deferred Maintenance Program came to talk about AFMFA and maintenance. The team also considered potential funding for energy conservation and started a discussion on a possible recommendation. The Green Labs Coordinator position is also moving along, and the team plans to establish safety guidelines and procedures for the program in the near future. Marian Huhman has also contacted the student group American Advertising Federation for a sustainability imagery project. 

    Attached Files: 

  3. EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 recommendation - Transmittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    eGen Recommendations Summary
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Sustainability Council

    The SWATeam recommendation, eGen007 Solar Farm 2.0, was transmitted to the Sustainability Council and was presented during their meeting on December 7, 2017.

    For future updates, please refer to Solar Farm 2.0.

    See iWG assessment of EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 here.

  5. Carbon Credit funding declined for Virtual Storeroom offsets purchase

    Associated Project(s): 
    Virtual Storeroom for Carbon Offsets
    Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) with Second Nature

    Helen Coleman declined the purchase of 10,000 $7.14 offsets for the virtual storeroom.

    "I do not understand why we should buy $7.14 offsets instead of more $0.40 offsets, especially when we sold our original carbon credits for $6.75." -Helen Coleman (12/05/2017)

     

    An email with more information is attached below.

     

    Attached Files: 

  6. Weekly Update

    All, the big news of this week is that the student staff of the Campus Bike Center and I are officially Campus Recreation employees! Last week we had a meeting with HR, payroll, directors, etc. to go over the particulars of employment with Campus Rec. that went well, despite most of the student workers being unable to attend. I will be handing out the information packets to the student workers as they come in for their shifts and make sure they’re clear on expectations and procedures for time entry.

    Last week I gave a brief tutorial to a class of preschoolers about bicycle parts/names. They were very excited and seemed to enjoy me explaining about the different parts of the bike.

    This week is business as usual with the exception of a meeting on Friday about bike storage with housing. I’ll build bikes and organize, as always. With the colder weather coming tomorrow, I anticipate a reduced number of visitors, unfortunately.


    The numbers:

    Visitors: 48

    Sales: $463.50
    Memberships: 2 for $95 (1 regular; 1 family)
    Tire/tubes: 6 for $39
    No B-a-Bs or Refurb sales.

    Sincerely,

    • Jake Benjamin
      Campus Bike Center Manager

  8. Weekly Update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hi Pete and Shawn—

    My intentions to make progress on zero waste this weekend were scuttled by illness. In the coming week, my focus will be to find community gardens that would like used coffee grounds from Starbucks, update the glove recycling page on the iCAP portal, and work on the SSC report. 

    Best regards,
    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

  10. iWG meeting agenda November 30, 2017

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Topical iCAP Teams
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    PPA for National Petascale Computing Facility
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm
    Incorporate Sustainability Principles into Campus Master Plan
    Water and Stormwater SWATeam
    Food Waste Reduction
    Green Lab Program

    see file

    Attached Files: 

  12. Executed Agreement between iSEE and MSTE for the iCAP Portal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    On December 1, 2017, iSEE and MSTE made a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a formal structural payment in expectation of a return of services. The services provided by MSTE include the creation of new features on the iCAP Portal, technological troubleshooting, and maintenance. 

     

    See the attached file to view the official Memorandum of Understanding.

    Attached Files: 

  13. PWR SWATeam Meeting - 11/2/17

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Recycling through the WTS
    Increase Recycling Rates
    Zero Waste iCAP Team

    The Purchasing, Waste, and Recycling SWATeam met to discuss a variety of updates and challenges regarding recycling on campus. The group discussed progress on the rearrangement of outdoor dual bins on the North Quad and standards for the placements of bins inside of buildings. The group also discussed their long-term vision for trash and recycling operations on campus and brainstormed various methods for increasing recycling at the Waste Transfer Station. An update was also given on the status of SmartWay certification on campus.

    Attached Files: 

  14. Kick off meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign

    Creative Services hosted a kick-off meeting for the Bike at Illinois website.  Lily Wilcock is now working with them to schedule interviews with various stakeholders. She is using the following message:

    In efforts to improve the experience and safety of our programs, we will be reimagining the Bike at Illinois website. Our first step involves learning about our key audiences so we can determine how we can best serve them online. We’re asking for participants who are willing to give 1 hour interview to our creative team, who will be asking a series of questions and collecting some key insights. This will help us determine what services and information is available, how to best present these in a website, and how we can improve your experience with us in the future.

  15. Solar Urbana-Champaign Bulk Solar Purchase Program Finishes Strong

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    FOR RELEASE

    Contact: Peter Murphy, MREA Solar Program Manager, peterm@midwestrenew.org

    Solar Urbana-Champaign Bulk Solar Purchase Program Finishes Strong

    Urbana, IL– November 20, 2017. Claire Johnson and Jill Houser have just finished installing solar panels on Andy Robinson’s roof as part of the Solar Urbana-Champaign 2.0 program. They are  members of New Prairie Construction’s solar installation team, and part of a mostly female crew. They and other teams from New Prairie Construction will be installing 446.95 kilowatts of solar on 58 properties across Champaign County as a result of the program, which helped people save on solar through volume purchasing. Robinson not only went solar through the program, he also helped to lead it.

    Please find the full story below, along with installation photos of Andy Robinson's system. Photo credit Andy Robinson.

    Kaitlyn Kohl

    Communications Coordinator

    kaitlynk@midwestrenew.org

    Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

    7558 Deer Road, Custer, WI 54423

    www.midwestrenew.org

     

    Learn from the leaders in our year-round, professional courses.

    Become a proud member of the MREA! 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    November 20, 2017

    Contact: Peter Murphy, MREA Solar Program Manager, peterm@midwestrenew.org

    Solar Urbana-Champaign Bulk Solar Purchase Program Finishes Strong

    Claire Johnson and Jill Houser have just finished installing solar panels on Andy Robinson’s roof as part of the Solar Urbana-Champaign 2.0 program. They are  members of New Prairie Construction’s solar installation team, and part of a mostly female crew. They and other teams from New Prairie Construction will be installing 446.95 kilowatts of solar on 58 properties across Champaign County as a result of the program, which helped people save on solar through volume purchasing. Robinson not only went solar through the program, he also helped to lead it.

    “I’ve thought solar was a cool way to reduce our carbon footprint ever since seeing the 2007 UI solar decathlon house in DC, but it also needed to make financial sense for our family,” said Robinson, who was hired by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to facilitate the education sessions, called “Solar Power Hours,” for the program. “Now we will offset nearly all of our electric use and it was a good financial investment.  New Prairie laid out the panels on the front and back roof in a way that looks like it is a part of the design of our 1920 house. We were especially happy to meet the diverse install crew of local women and men, and a highly qualified refugee.”

    “In the 1980’s, Jill and I got our start in construction through the woman-owned company Working Women Construction,” said Julie Birdwell, owner of New Prairie Construction. “When we started New Prairie Construction, we made a commitment to providing opportunities for women. We never regretted it. Our New Prairie women contribute more than just diversity. They help contribute to a positive work culture and maintain a high level of attention to detail and craftsmanship.”

    “When we think about the benefits of solar energy, we often picture environmental benefits, of which there are of course many,” said Peter Murphy, Solar Program Manager at Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). “But what often gets overlooked is the growing number of solar jobs, which are local and by nature cannot be outsourced.”

    “One out of every 50 new jobs added in the United States in 2016 was created by the solar industry, representing 2% percent of all new jobs,” according to The Solar Foundation, a nonprofit organization that conducts a national solar jobs census.

    “We recently had an opportunity to hire an Afghan national who worked in construction for the US military in Afghanistan,” said Birdwell. “Hiring such a refugee is a way of acknowledging the risks and sacrifices he and his family have made to support our country. In addition, he and our other employees from different cultures and countries provide positive contributions to our work culture, and we feel, our overall product.”

    “In the first day of solar production, our kids said that we were vacuuming with sunshine,” said Robinson. “And they are right.”

    “The electricity produced by the 446 kW of solar the program has contracted will offset around 639,035 lbs of CO2 being released into atmosphere in the first year alone,” said Scott Tess, Environmental Sustainability Manager at the City of Urbana. “That amount of solar energy will also save almost 10 million gallons of water from use in thermoelectric power plants that run on coal or natural gas.”

    The program was administered by the MREA at no cost to the city or the county. MREA has successfully implemented similar programs in other jurisdictions in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin as seen in Milwaukee, Cedar Rapids, Bloomington-Normal, and elsewhere. Solarize programs have taken place all over the country, from California to Maine.

    "The solar branch of New Prairie Construction Co. is a natural extension of our commitment to providing high quality, environmentally responsible solutions for homes and businesses," says Julie Birdwell, co-owner of New Prairie. "Solar Urbana-Champaign 2.0 provides an excellent opportunity for our community to use the power of bulk purchasing to get premium quality installations for a great price.  We are excited to work with our neighbors to help increase sustainability and energy independence in Champaign County."

    MREA issued a request for proposals to solar installers in January. A local advisory committee reviewed proposals based on professional certification, experience, and cost. They selected New Prairie Construction Co., based in Urbana. They were chosen as the solar installer for the second Solar Group Buy because of their high-quality solar installations, building science expertise, and emphasis on customer service.

    ###

    The MREA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit shortly after the first Energy Fair in 1990. MREA’s mission is to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more, call 715-592-6595 or visit www.TheEnergyFair.org or www.midwestrenew.org.

  16. NCSA includes clean energy in NSF proposal

    Associated Project(s): 
    PPA for National Petascale Computing Facility

    NCSA leadership included the estimated cost of 100% clean energy for the next supercomputer project in their proposal to NSF this month.  The budgetary number is based on pricing estimates for purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).  Based on current market estimates, and subject to availability and future market conditions, it is estimated that the total five year cost for RECs for a 3MW average load would be approximately $65K.

    If/when the NSF grant is approved, F&S Utilities & Energy Services will be able to facilitate the purchase of the RECs, through the grant funding, and NCSA will then be able to claim the use of green power.

  17. SSC Supports Red Oak Rain Garden 2.0

    Associated Project(s): 
    Red Oak Rain Garden
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Red Oak Rain Garden 2.0 restores the original Red Oak Rain Garden that was established 10 years ago to address the flooding issue between McKinley Health Center and Allen Hall. Students will work alongside faculty, staff, and community members to plant specific plants that provide multi-season flooding protection. This project aims to increase awareness surrounding horticulture and natural flooding management while addressing an infrastructural issue on campus.

    The Student Sustainability Committee provides financial support to purchase plants, signage, training materials, and hardscape. The plant species are specifically chosen for maximum efficiency and learning. Likewise, the signage will allow the passerby to identify native species. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will support the garden while students are on academic breaks and provide Red Bison, a student-led organization, with rain garden training.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Filify 3D Receives SSC Funding

    Associated Project(s): 
    Enactus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Filify 3D is a new project this semester, working to make 3D printing more sustainable and eco-friendly. This semester, the project is looking to sell fused filament ends (which are otherwise thrown away) back to campus 3D Printing labs. They will also be constructing and refining the design to a shredder and extruder to recycle failed prints. Ultimately, they hope to expand their capacity to be able to recycle plastic water bottles for use in 3D prints. This project is a cross functional one.

    The Student Sustainability Committee is providing funding for some materials and supplies.

    Attached Files: 

  19. Stay Glassy Receives SSC Funding

    Associated Project(s): 
    Enactus
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Stay Glassy looks to target glass bottles, an abundant and unused resource in the Champaign-Urbana community, to create a product that will benefit the community. By working with underserved members of our community to create a viable marketplace product, Stay Glassy achieves two goals: reduce glass waste and create meaningful employment in Champaign-Urbana. This semester, the project is changing scope from educating the community through "at home'' glass up-cycling workshops to focusing on a glass repurposing business. Project associates should expect to work on aspects of business development and product innovation.

    The Student Sustainability Committee funded project supplies and workspace.

    Attached Files: 

  20. SSC Grants Funding to Supermileage

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco Illini Supermileage
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This funding supports the purchase of an engine and other car parts to construct a highly fuel-efficient car. As a resource conservation and transportation project, Eco Illini Supermileage is training its team members and spreading sustainability awareness to students from all majors. Through social media and showcase events, Eco Illini Supermileage engages the CU community. The Eco Illini Supermileage experience springboards students’ career development and automotive innovation after graduation.

    Attached Files: 

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