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Project Updates for collection: 2015 iCAP Objectives

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  1. SSC Project: Greening the Garage

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Recycling Rates
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Hi Lisa,

     

    As discussed during the SSC F&S feasibility meeting, I wanted to send over to you the product that we are requesting funding for. https://www.bendpak.com/shop-equipment/oil-filter-crushers/rp-50fc/ Based on this, are there any concerns?

     

    Thank you,

    Daphne

    ----------------------

    Hi Daphne,

     

    Thank you for sending me the cut sheet for the oil filter crusher.

     

    I don’t see any code requirements above and beyond what is already being done at the garage for oil filter disposal.  I have no concerns, and neither does Mike Brown in Code Compliance and Fire Safety.

     

    It is my opinion that this project is feasible, no changes needed.

     

    Thank you,

    Lisa

    ------------------------

    Thank you, Lisa! We appreciate you taking the time to thoroughly review this piece of equipment.

    ---------------------

    In a seperate email thread Daphne sent the message below and the attached file:

    -----------------------

    Hi Lisa & Morgan,

     

    Shawn & I are submitting a SSC funding request for a piece of equipment at the garage that would allow us to crush and recycle metal oil filters. We go through about 1500 oil filters a year, and they are currently landfilled.

     

    Thank you,

    Daphne

     

    Attached Files: 

  2. University Landholdings in CU/new construction in next 2 years

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bee Campus USA
    Sustainable Landscapes Plan

    I'm doing some work with the USFWS on an urban pollinator habitat project and have a couple questions I'm hoping F&S can help me with (or send me in the right direction.)

    1. Do we have an accurate map or GIS layer of current UIUC landholdings (including properties connected to the south farms, etc). I've been able to locate some very low-quality, generalized maps but nothing that is either current or very detailed.
    2. Is there a way for me to find out where on campus there will be construction/renovation projects that will occur in the next 2-3 years?

    Thanks,

     

    BRODIE DUNN

    ---------------------------

    Beth, are you able to assist with item 1 in the below email from Brodie regarding obtaining a map or GIS file of UIUC properties?

     

    Morgan, are you able to assist with item 2 in the below email from Brodie regarding upcoming capital projects?

     

    Thanks,

    James Scherer

    ------------------------------

    Helo Brodie,

     

    I’m connecting you with the University Landscape Architect, Brent Lewis.  He can assist with your inquiry about upcoming construction projects, and it is important to include him in any plans you want to pursue regarding additional plantings on university land.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

     

    -------------------------

    Morgan and Brent,

     

    Rest assured I haven't made any promises regarding plantings on campus (and would reach out to you both before doing so.) 

     

    The primary program partner is the City of Champaign, which I am currently in discussions with. If the project does go through, it'll target underserved neighborhoods with pollinator conservation measures meant to protect/conserve the Rusty Patch Bumble Bee, an endangered species. It is a great opportunity and beside doing the coordination for the project with municipal partners, i'm doing my best to ensure we've got the option to physically participate in the program even if the lands we might have available are outside the model's ideal range.

     

    Brent - If we have any construction projects happening in the next two years that include major changes in landscaping, especially on the north side of campus, it would be good to hear about those. Participating in the program might end up being as simple as swapping out a few species on the planting list and doing so might give us the opportunity to be a part of a very innovative Endangered Species recovery plan.

     

    Thanks,

     

    BRODIE DUNN

  7. SSC applications submitted in fall 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Increase Bicycle Use

    Hi Morgan and Lisa,

     

    This fall I have submitted two SSC step-1 applications:

    1. Shipping containers for bicycle storage - $85,000
    2. Purchase and Installation of bike shelter - $250,000

     

    See attached the application. Thank you,
    Sarthak

    Attached Files: 

  8. N-G Mailbag question: Output vs. expectations for UI solar farms

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0
    Solar Farm 2.0

    Hi, Steve. A News-Gazette Mailbag question for you:

     

    "The University of Illinois has 2 large solar farms near Savoy.  How are they doing compared to expectations?  What percentage of the UofI power do they provide?  Are there any plans for more? If so ... where and when will they be built?"

     

     

    (I rooted around a bit on the F&S energy/utility pages, and found a lot of info. Figured I'd best ask you, though, for the most current data.)

     

     

    Thank you,

    KR

    ------------------------

    Hi Morgan/Mike/Tony,

     

    Do we have updated FY23 data that can be shared to answer the question about current output of both arrays as it relates to expected performance and the percentage of electrical demand?

     

    A similar question was answered in March 22', please see attached. I have addressed the second part with the below statement previously (let me know if there is any update is needed there as well or if that can be used again).

     

    The university is evaluating the potential procurement of additional clean energy through an off-campus virtual power purchase agreement to meet Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) goals.

     

    I would like to finalize the information and reply by Wednesday, October 4. Thanks for your help with this.

     

    Steve B.

    -------------------------

    Steve,

     

    Here is the information being requested.  I would like Rob to have a chance to comment on the last sentence before you respond.

     

    Both Solar Farms are performing as expected.  Solar Farm 2.0 produced 99% of the vendor’s guaranteed production in the first two years of operation.  Solar Farm 1.0 produced 96% of estimated production over a two year period.  In FY23 the solar production was 6.6% of the campus electricity demand.  The University is considering another solar project, but the location and timing have not been determined yet.

     

    Best,

     

    Tony

    ------------------------

    I would suggest that the final sentence state something such as: “While there are no immediate plans to add further solar capacity to the system, the University continues to evaluate and consider a multitude of carbon neutral energy solutions that would provide benefit to the Universities energy portfolio, including additional solar array capacity.”

    Rob Roman

  9. Green Quad day Invitation!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Major Annual Events

    Hello,

     

    My name is Claire Sullivan, and I am reaching out as a representative from the Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC). If you aren’t already familiar, the SSLC is a student-led body facilitating communications between campus sustainability and the student body, as well as relationships among environmentalist student groups on campus. One of our most famous events for engaging environmental entities on campus with one another is Green Quad Day.

     

    Green Quad Day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 11th from 11 am - 3 pm on Anniversary Plaza. This is a great place to table for your organization, mingle with green RSOs, recruit prospective students, and learn about sustainability initiatives on campus. We invite each of you to fill out the form below to RSVP for a table at Green Quad Day. One RSVP per RSO, please! We encourage each RSO that RSVPs to include an interactive element at their table. Be creative!

     

    Green Quad Day RSVP Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRu6fPOGQQ3p-5Vg8rNL-a8VJEyNKq_jWZ4WlUeb4lM5jh2A/viewform?usp=sf_link 

     

    Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the event. We hope to see you at there!

     

    Best,

    The Student Sustainability Leadership Council

  10. Embodied Carbon Benchmarking Data Request Call

    Associated Project(s): 
    Internal price on carbon

    As was mentioned in the TAC Forum Meeting, we are today releasing a data request call for lab building embodied carbon LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) information. This information will be used to collect embodied carbon benchmarking data like the Carbon Leadership Forum’s V2 call for embodied carbon data but with some more specific lab related data fields. This data will be used to start the creation of a lab building embodied carbon benchmarking database within the Lab Benchmarking tool. Even more significantly, this data will drive the development of a first ever score for lab building embodied carbon.

     

    I have attached a spreadsheet template for entering the LCA data and a letter giving more information about the data request. The letter also indicates the benefits provided to those organizations that participate in the data call. Lastly, I have attached a data use agreement defining how we will use the data and ensure its confidentiality.

     

    Please send any completed data request spreadsheets to Nathan Jeffay at Nathan.Jeffay@erg.com. It would be helpful if you have data that you submit at least some of your data by October 15th so we can report some initial results at our annual conference. However, if that date is not practical, then October 27th is also good. If you have any questions, comments or feedback about the data call please contact Dirk Von Below (Chair of the Embodied Carbon Scoring TAC) at dvonbelow@flad.com , Alison Farmer at Secretary@I2SL.org, or myself.

     

    Finally, we understand that many of you will not have lab embodied carbon LCA data. However, as this is an open data call, if you know of someone else or another organization that has done  lab building embodied carbon analysis work, please forward this data call to them.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Regards,

    Gordon

    ---------------------

    Dear Green Labs Champions,

                  Please see the attached request for pilot data to assess embodied carbon in new construction of laboratories.  I2SL would love to have a few examples in time for the annual conference next month.  Please forward to staff or academics who pursue Life Cycle Assessments or GHG accounting. 

                  For the sky,

    Allen Doyle

    --------------------------

    Hi Morgan,

    Does this come up in your area for new projects?

     

    Best

    Paul

    Attached Files: 

  11. IACT - Geotech Drilling

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Landscapes Plan

    Kevin, Erwin,

     

    Our drillers are looking to get on site next week for the Geotech borings – on the areas to the south of the Project it looks like the area is actively farmed, is there any type of notification we need to do to the University before we enter the fields or other coordination needed with whomever is farming this area?


    Thanks!

     

    Mike

    --------------------

    Hi Mike. Let me find out and I’ll get back to you in the next hour or so.

    -erwin

    -------------------

    Hi Mike

    Sorry it took much longer than I had anticipated, but all is clear to get the drilling crew out here. The Village (Jake McCoy) gave their OK, and last night I found the farmer and he says that he will harvest the corn during this weekend. No one else from the university needs to be notified (Kevin, correct me if I´m wrong). If the drilling crew need any assistance on site, they can contact me at 217 766 9837. It would be good if you could provide me with contact information for who is leading the crew, just in case. Thanks

    -Erwin

    ------------------

    Here are some aerial pictures of the site taken about ten days ago. I thought they may be helpful.

    -erwin

    ----------------

    Hello Morgan and Jon,

     

    Can you think of anyone else at UIUC who should be notified of the upcoming commencement of soil boring and sampling work on the IACT site?

     

    Thank,

     

    Kevin

    Attached Files: 

  12. Solar Powered Trash Compactor question

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Power on Campus
    Install Appropriate Waste Collection Infrastructure

    Hello my name is Saif Malik and I am a graduate student in the Energy Systems program. Some classmates and I are working with the Student Sustainability Committee on proposing 2 pairs of solar compactors to be set up by the main union. 

    I understand that in the past there was a compactor that broke down/ caused issues. I was hoping to get any information on this so we can look into if this is still viable or what improvements would be needed from what you encountered.

    Thank you for your time!

    Saif Malik

    ------------------

    Morgan, would you be able to assist with the below?

     

    Jerry Dinnin

  13. Sustainable Energy - Glesco Electric Inc.

    Associated Project(s): 
    Centralized Energy Efficiency Efforts

    Morgan:

     

    I spoke with Dave Dowler and he gave me your name as a person to speak with in regards to opportunities to work together for increased ability to do projects in the sustainable energy sector.

     

    Glesco is a local female owned business in Urbana and we have had the opportunity to complete numerous projects at the UIUC campus.  I have recently had the opportunity to work with developers that have been funding capital P3 projects on campus and thought perhaps an opportunity existed to do things in the sustainable energy area. 

     

    Would you have time to discuss this?  From my previous discussions at the University of Illinois, there was a “plan” in place prior to COVID that had both short-term and long-term goals in making UI more energy efficient.

     

    I believe we met at the diversity and inclusion conference this past year, however, I hadn’t fully developed the idea of how we could perhaps work together to meet these goals.

     

    I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you if you are interested.  If you think this conversation is better suited for someone other than yourself, would you be so kind as to point me in the right direction?

     

    Thank you.

    Laurda Grenda

    President of Glesco Electric Inc.

  14. Meeting notes with Ethan Garcia - Capstone project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Independent Student Projects
    2024 Campus Bike Plan

    Prepare outline for bike audit

    • how to do it
    • What will we need
    • What information do I need
    • What information are we trying to get out of this
    • How are we trying to do this 
    • What resources will we need (GIS)
    • When are we doing the audit 
    • When do we think we can finish it (number of hours, dates not necessary)
    • Condition assessments of bike rack 
    • Looking at rack itself and concrete 

     

    Re-familiarize self with stuff

     

    Black racks are ground mounted, we want bike racks on rails (gray ones)

     

    Only university owned bike racks and paths 

  15. Toner and Ink Cartridge Recycling

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase Recycling Rates

    Hi Daphne,

     

    Just to confirm, this is toner and not an ink cartridge for printer. We don’t have many inkjet printers, but I don’t want to assume which one you have.

     

    Thanks,

    Brad

    ----------------

    Hi Brad,

     

    That’s correct – toner is what we are referring to! Apologies for the confusion.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

     --------------

    HI Daphne,

     

    The vendors we work with for recycling toner quit accepting them. Unfortunately, they have to be thrown away.

     

    Thanks,

    Brad

    --------------

    Hi Morgan & Stephanie,

     

    Below is the response I received from Brad re: toner recycling. Sarthak was over at IT recently and noted that there was a box of toner cartridges that the IT team has been collecting for many, many years since the vendor stopped accepting them for recycling. I’ll do some research to see if there’s a solution in this region.

     

    Thank you,

    Daphne

  16. Grey Water Recycling, IDPH, Letter?

    Associated Project(s): 
    Use of Non-Potable Water (such as Greywater)

    texted my plumbing friend – he thought we should talk to Brian Cox with IDPH (he thought his email was brian.cox@illinois.gov).  He thought that even if the variance does not get approved, that having the university put in such a request might bring it closer to reality in future editions of the Illinois Plumbing Code.

     

    Chapter 13, “Non Potable Water Systems” is in the International Plumbing Code.

    CHAPTER 13 NONPOTABLE WATER SYSTEMS, 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) | ICC Digital Codes (iccsafe.org)

     

    I do think if a variance is requested, the variance should make note that ICC does acknowledge these types of systems and provides a framework for life safety, and that on an environmental level, these systems are a method of saving water and reducing total sewage volumes in a climate that is changing rapidly.

     

    I think the question at this point is – who is the correct person to put time into this?  It would benefit the university, however, I don’t think we could ask for a ‘blanket university variance’, it would have to be a project specific variance.  With this in mind, it is a specific group that is wanting it for their building – so does this group apply?  Or, would direction be given to F&S to apply?  This is a strange one as we are code enforcement, but also representing the owner.

     

    KATIE sPERL

    ------------------------------

    Katie & Lisa,

     

    Is it possible to discuss this with Brian Cox at 217-524-0791?  It may be beneficial to seek a blanket variance, but only under certain circumstances.   I’ve also cc’d Colleen, Frank, and Jeremy in the case they had a say on your question of who would apply for a variance to IDPH.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Kelly Jo

    -----------------------------

    FYI, Attached is the submittal package that Cannon sent to Brian Cox at IDPH in May 2021.

     

    Lisa

    ---------------------------

    Please see the attached and provide me with your initial thoughts.  If everyone thinks this might be a good idea, I will ask Jim Sims if he would be okay letting us send to IDPH under the University of Illinois letterhead.  I feel like if we took this letter, all put our names to it – and then sent to other organizations such as AIA, they might all send a similar letter.

     

    I was at a plumbing lunch-and-learn today, and I just feel this is something that should be considered.  If toilets went from being 5 gallons a flush to 1.25 gallons – we could potentially get this down to zero in some situations…isn’t that a win?    

     

    KATIE sPERL

    ---------------------------

    All,

     

    Do other State Plumbing codes allow use of Grey Water Recycling? If yes, can we reference those states and language used in those State Plumbing codes?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jim

    ---------------------------

    Most states don’t have a state plumbing code – I believe that only California, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota and Oregon do.  Most states use International Plumbing Code or Uniform Plumbing Code.  IPC allows rainwater/graywater harvesting.  I’m not sure about UPC but I can look into it.

     

    Lisa

    --------------------------

    UPC also allows rainwater/graywater harvesting.

     

    Lisa

    -----------------------

    Thanks Lisa.

     

    Seems like we would want to include alignment with International Plumbing Code and UPC in a letter that we send regarding Illinois Plumbing code?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jim

    -----------------------

     

    All,

     

    As I thought about this more, I was thinking that UIC might have submitted and received approval to IDPH for a grey water system on one of their recent projects (a couple years ago now). It might be worthwhile checking in with UIC to see if this was the case and learn from their experience, including the process and justification they utilized to gain approval for a project.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jim

    -------------------------

    UIUC submitted one on Illini Hall via Cannon Design (attached) and have not received approval.  I can email up to UIC to see if they have had any luck.

     

    KATIE sPERL

    Attached Files: 

  17. Stormwater grad student sought

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water and Stormwater SWATeam
    Reduce Nitrates from Agricultural Stormwater

    Hi sustainability friends,

    I have funding for a grad student to assist our stormwater efforts for the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Specifically, I’m looking for someone to find and curate stormwater outreach products and identify gaps. No tuition waiver but pay is $25/hr.

     

    Do you know of anyone that you’d recommend?

     

    Thanks,

    Eliana

  20. Weekly Sustainable Transportation meeting with Hrushikesh and Nathaniel

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    On 07/24/2023,  Sarthak, Nathaniel and Hrushikesh had a weekly meeting to discuss on Weekly Progress of the current projects that we are working on. Please refer to the file attached to view the Weekly Progress.

    Nathaniel's Weekly Progress - 

    • Visited Round Barns for Bike Inventory
    • Campus-wide survey to check for remaining abandoned bikes.
    • In-Office Bike related accessories inventory.

    Hrushikesh's Weekly Progress -  

    • Shared used Path Length demarcation ArcGIS for the Bike Friendly University Application (BFU)
    • Work on Campus Bicycle Master Plan
    • Champaign County Bike Month Planning Team Meeting
    • Meeting with UIPD for Field Maps Training
    • ICAP documentation

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