On November 7, 2017, the Student Sustainability Committee held a full committee meeting. SSC discussed subcommittee operations, a shift in the executive board, a scope change from Space Systems, and takeaways from different conferences. This is the last full committee of the Fall 2017 semester.
Creative Services will start work on a new Bike@Illinois website on behalf of Facilities & Services this winter, as described in the attached agreement.
At the ECBS SWATeam's third meeting of FY17, the members discussed methods for how the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) can become more sustainable. For example, there are lighting opportunities at Irwin Practice Facility and at Atkins tennis center. In addiiton, Mike Marquissee, director of Budget, Research and Planning for energy services, presented a mini-lecture (also attached) to the team on their funding options and predicted budget for FY18. The SWATeam then discussed how the grant cuts will impact their iCap progress, as well as what needs to be prioritized in terms of funding. Finally, updates on programs such as the Green Labs Coordinator and Illini Lights out were presented.
Eliana Brown with the Water Resources Center presented the attached file to a Landscape Architecture class, called "Natural Precedent in Planting" taught by Dept of Landscape Architecture's Designer in Residence Katy Kraszewska.
Here’s a link to Penn State Extension’s Rain to Drain Slow the Flow Youth Curriculum for stormwater: https://extension.psu.edu/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/149/.
For general information about their youth water education programs, see: https://extension.psu.edu/youth-water-education.
All, last week was pretty uneventful. Visitor numbers are declining with the weather getting cooler. I’ve begun cutting back on the student staff as we get fewer and fewer visitors. We’ve got 9 refurbished bikes for sale. With fall coming on strong, I suspect we’ll see a lot of the in-progress build-a-bikes abandoned which can then be flipped for sale quicker than usual.
This week I will coordinate with Parking to pick up the salvageable bikes from the warehouse as well as build bikes and take stock of inventory.
The numbers:
Visitors for the week: 62
Sales: $187.35
Refurbished bikes: 0 for $0
Build-a-bikes: 0 for $0
Memberships: 0 for $0 (Reinstated our First Visit Free policy, which has hurt these numbers.)
Tires/tubes: 7 for $42
Description archived and replaced 11/05/2017:
Housing Dining Services has begun recycling the glass wine and liquor bottles from their Catering Services operation, as of the end of July 2013. There is a new company in Champaign-Urbana called Green Purpose, which is accepting the glass that Catering collects for recycling.
Primary Contact archive and replaced 11/05/2017:
Bryan Johnson
The PWR SWATeam met to discuss objectives and goals for the year, as well as provide feedback on the proposed Campus Administrative Manual policy on purchasing paper of recycled content. The team discussed a broad range of projects and delegated next steps for moving forward on each.
Hi Tracy—
Here are my updates on zero-waste activities from the past week:
While I’m on this email, I have a question for you that came up in my work on glass recycling. You told me a while back that campus units can purchase blue desk-side recycling bins through Central Stores. I’ve been trying to reach Marcy Wright at Purchasing to see if the larger indoor bins and outdoor toters/bins should be purchased through iBuy. Do you have information on that question? I tried to get in and look through iBuy catalogs on my own, but I wasn’t able to find a way to do so; I think it may require an iBuy login, which I wouldn’t be eligible for, given that I don’t have any purchasing responsibilities of my own.
Best regards,
Marya Ryan
Zero Waste Coordinator
RailSplitter Wind Farm provided the October 2017 Buyer's Share amounts by hour, see attached file.
All, I was out of town yesterday, so this report is a day late.
Last week was surprisingly busy despite the cooler weather. I thought for sure that the drop in temps would dissuade a lot of people but we still had full stands a few days of the week. More winter commuters, I hope!
Wednesday afternoon was the Campus Sustainability Celebration that was a lot of fun and very informative. I met quite a few people involved elsewhere in the sustainability world on campus and was able to learn about some of the larger scale work being implemented. Good stuff!
We’ve outpaced sales in Build-a-Bikes vs. refurbished bikes in the month of October, something that I think bodes well for the CBC. It definitely imparts a larger sense of ownership at the least and certainly more mechanical skill versus buying our cheaper-than-retail bikes. I noticed this year a few of the bikes that we’ve sold as refurbs made it back in the warehouse after being abandoned; I haven’t found any B-a-Bs there. Obviously that is anecdotal evidence but I think it holds true.
Last week I was able to rebuild the hanging bike racks in the back to accommodate better the bikes we have. I was interviewed for the New-Gazette story that ran on Sunday to positive reviews, I believe. Bikes are being built faster than they’re being sold now, and that bodes well for the Spring.
Over the weekend I traveled to Austin, TX and was able to visit a bike cooperative space there and see some of the similarities and differences in their space and model of operation.
The numbers:
65 visitors last week
Sales: $510.20
Bikes (refurb): 0 for $0
Bikes (B-a-b): 3 for $185
Memberships: 4 for $120
Tires/tubes: 4 for $19
Sincerely,
| Occupant Action Category |
% Improvement |
Incentive Award |
| 1. Foellinger Auditorium | 41.0% | $61,994 |
| 2. Natural Resources Building | 21.0% | $38,543 |
| 3. 1207 W. Oregon | 19.4% | $15,677 |
| 4. Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building |
13.6% | $12,986 |
|
Energy Advancement Category |
% Improvement |
Incentive Award |
| 1. Early Child Development Laboratory |
25.2% | $10,000* |
| 2. Administrative Information Technology Services Building |
24.1% | $10,000* |
| 3. Astronomy Building | 23.4% | $10,000* |
| 4. ACES Library, Information & Alumni Center |
23.2% | $10,000* |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October, 31, 2017
Contact: 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.
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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.
MSU asked the following questions of the Big Ten schools. Here are the UIUC answers, provided by Professor Scott Willenbrock:
Ann,
Here is information on UIUC. Most of this infrastructure was put in 3 years ago. We are now starting to think about where to go from here, so we would appreciate your sharing what you learn from other Big Ten partners.
Scott
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BIG10 Sustainability Friends,
I am looking for case study information on campus EV charging stations. MSU has several but are looking to expand the service. I have a few questions.
The last question is the most important.
Thank you,
Ann
Ann Erhardt, MM, ISSP-SA
Director of Sustainability
Strategic Initiatives
Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
Michigan State University
Hi Tracy—
I had a little bit of email correspondence regarding Styrecycle and tried reaching Housing again about glass recycling. I heard from Anna, who is now ready to start in on the glove recycling signage and instructions we’ve been working on.
Best regards,
Marya Ryan
Zero Waste Coordinator
see file
see file
Members reopened a past ALUFS project on best management practices, data on nitrogen runoff, and discussed what might make University Parking more environmentally friendly.
Apply to fill one of the EcoOlympics officer roles Now!
Do team building, leadership, networking with campus stakeholders, and preparing for the real world sound like a great way to build your resume. Gain experience and build these business aspects of your portfolio while having fun with your colleagues and making a difference in the world!
Leadership, team building, communication and business organizational experience with environmentally friendly programs put you at the top of the pack when applying to corporate/academic internships, non-profit organizations, outreach organizations and graduate programs. Participating as an officer is gratifying and fulfills these qualifications, while providing plenty of documented recognition in environmental stewardship and energy conservation.
See file for example of leadership certificate and acknowledgement from Chancellor Jones.
We are currently building this year’s organization team, so join us to develop your portfolio and work together organizing and helping others reach their goals and make a difference in the world, by sending a 75-150 word essay (essentially 2-3 paragraphs) about why being an officer on the EcoOlympics organization team is important to you. Send to EcoOlympics@gmail.com and include the position (see list below) you are applying for in the subject title.
For a closer look:
1) At the competition, visit the iCap description and our website
2) For personal benefits visit housings article highlighting Jessica Mondello’s experience and accomplishments
3) As for fun, games and camraderie check out and join our facebook page
Now accepting resume’s for the following positions:
Team Members:
· President- leads the organization team, manages all aspects of the competition
· Treasurer- manages funding of the competition, sponsors, prizes, marketing materials and promotions
· Marketing/Publicity Chair- manages the recruiting of participants, marketing events and advertising, coordinates efforts with the Building Captain Manager
· Building Captain Chair- communicates and motivates the building captains for each team and collaborates with the Publicity Chair
· Technical Chair- manages and publishes the technical data, networks with utilities services and building managers to gain access to metering information
See file for time commitment per role.
Resume building, networking and gratifying experience – Preparation for real world
Emphasize the shortness of the commitment for the value gained
There will be guidance, resources, and structure for accomplishing these leadership roles
Thank you
Paul Foote
Think Globally. Act Locally
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Facilities and Services, Utilities and Energy Services
Energy Conservation and Retro-commissioning
Office: 217-244-1048
The attached pdf shows the FY16 status update posters for iCAP objectives, shared by each SWATeam at the Campus Sustainability Celebration.”
