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  2. update from Ben McCall

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    2014 Campus Bike Plan [ARCHIVED]

    Dear Transportation SWATeam,

    Morgan and I had a very nice discussion with Pam Voitik at F&S late last week, and I wanted to brief you on some of the key points as they relate to the iCAP revisions.

    1) F&S is in favor of hiring a full-time "Active Transportation Coordinator," and having that person report to the Transportation Demand Management Coordinator (Stacey DeLorenzo).  "Active Transportation" (as you probably all know, but I didn't!) is industry lingo for all transportation except single-occupancy-vehicles.  So this person would be responsible for mode shift, the Bike Plan, and so forth...basically the last two bullet points in item #6 on page 30 of the current draft.

    2) Pete Varney and his team would be the sensible locus for efforts related to shifting the fleet more towards EVs and bicycles, and exploring renewable fuels for the fleet.  [The second and third bullet points in item #6 on page 30.]

    3) The first bullet point, about air travel, is outside of the scope of F&S, and should perhaps be a focus of iSEE or another entity in the domain of the Chancellor or Vice Chancellors.

    4) The Campus Bicycle Plan is essentially finalized now, but F&S is working on ascertaining exactly what entity should formally approve it. 

    Pam's suggestion is that it should be approved by the campus leadership (rather than by F&S), but the responsibility for implementing it should be with F&S.  This would give the Plan more authority/heft than if it were approved by F&S alone. There is reason to hope that this approval will be finalized before the iCAP.

    Cheers,

    Ben

     

  3. Update from Ben McCall

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Parking Master Plan
    F&S Sustainable Fleet Plan
    Install Public Use Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
    Support the MTD Bus System

    Dear Transportation SWATeam,  [Sorry for the barrage of emails...this is the last one for this morning!]

    I met with Michelle Wahl from Parking late last week, and she had some very useful comments on the iCAP draft that I thought I should share with you:

    1) She mentioned that in years past, she used to receive "idling reports" on her vehicles, which must have been equipped with some sort of system that tracked when the vehicles were idling.  This raised the question of whether such technology could be deployed widely on our fleet, rather than focusing only on "class 6 and above trucks" (neither of us knew exactly what that means).

    2) She was concerned about the financial aspects of providing additional opportunities for people to purchase less than full-time parking privileges in lots with wait lists...this is probably something that deserves further discussion.  If Parking allows someone to drop their full-time parking pass for a particular lot and instead purchase less than full-time for the same spot, their revenue will decrease.  This is concerning because Parking is legally required to be self-supporting -- they cannot receive any subsidy from campus, nor can they make a profit.

    3) She recommended adding a recommendation that parking rates be increased to provide a dis-incentive for single-occupancy vehicle use. 

    This would also be essential if the number of parking permits sold were to decrease, as Parking's costs are essentially fixed. Raising rates would be a challenge because they are subject to collective bargaining, but it has been successfully done on other campuses (including UIC). 

    Having an explicit call for this in the iCAP might help provide ammunition for such efforts.

    4) She recommended some investigation of the subsidy that Parking currently provides to MTD.  At present, Parking pays over $500K per year for this, ostensibly to support the buses that run to the "shuttle lot" (E-14, I think).  But this amount greatly exceeds the total revenue that Parking receives from selling permits in the shuttle lot.  She thought it was worth making sure that the amount Parking is contributing towards the MTD is the appropriate amount, because any funds that could be "saved" there could be directed towards other sustainability-related initiatives within Parking.

    5) She pointed out that there are now 18 "Level 1" charging stations for electric vehicles on campus, and Parking has plans to install some "Level 2" charging stations in 2015.  She thought it might be worth showcasing this work on page 29 of the current draft, and I am inclined to agree.

    Cheers,

    Ben

  4. Update from Ben McCall

    Associated Project(s): 
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm

    Dear Tim,

    Some bad news to report.  The Revolving Loan Fund committee elected to defer consideration of the funding for the biomass boiler, because they were concerned that the operational and maintenance issues were not yet worked out.  This is not as bad of news as I first thought, because the RLF process is going to be revamped in the spring to be more of a "rolling deadline" process, so we should be able to go back to them sometime in the spring and get a quick response.

    Given the delay in RLF funding, it seems to make sense to delay our proposal to ICECF until July.  Another important consideration here is that the North Campus Parking Deck Solar project is evidently going to apply to ICECF in January, and there is at least some concern about submitting two proposals from campus in the same round.  Yet another consideration is that upon reviewing the ICECF form, we noticed that they are looking for a well-developed educational plan...and we have not really spent any time working on that.

    So I'm afraid we are in a bit of limbo here, until we get the O&M issues resolved and the MOU with F&S finalized. Hopefully we can tackle that in January, so that we're ready to go back to RLF as soon as their process re-opens.

    At least we've finally made great headway on the engineering work, and will have some real budgetary numbers to work with soon...!

    Cheers,

    Ben

     

  7. Climate Change issues

    Associated Project(s): 
    LAS Honors College - Sustainability Partners [ARCHIVED]
    Independent Student Projects

    Congzhu Ruan's report on Climate Change issues - part one.  Part two will be produced in Spring 2015.  She said, "Here is the draft of the report,it basically covers all the points but I plan to do some editing (to correct typos and grammar if there's some, perhaps add some new points if I find some!) this winter to make it better."

    Attached Files: 

  8. Final CEE 398 Fall 2014 reports

    Associated Project(s): 
    CEE Project Based Learning (PBL)
    Independent Student Projects
    • Evaluation of Implementing Low-Flow Toilets in University Buildings and Associated Economic and Environmental Benefits
    • Feasibility Study of Green Walls at the University of Illinois
    • Evaluating Greywater Usage at the BIF in Replacement for Potable Water in Toilets
    • Powering Up E-14: A Feasibility Study on Implementing Solar Panels as Parking Coverage
    • Feasibility of Introducing LEED Lab at the University of Illinois
    Attached Files: 

  9. update from Ben McCall

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    2015 Illinois Climate Action Plan (2015 iCAP) [ARCHIVED]
    Sustainability Council

    Dear iWG Members,

    Attached is the complete "Version 2" of the 2015 iCAP, which I have just sent out to the SWATeams.  I'd be grateful if you could look through the document and think about what, if any, big picture topics we should plan to discuss at our meeting next week...and then please drop me an email with your suggestions.

    By the way, our first Sustainability Council meeting yesterday was a great success -- thanks in large part to all of your help in targeting the level of the presentation.  I heard indirectly that the Chancellor and the VCR both thought the presentation was just at the right level of detail, and the entire group seemed to be engaged in the process.

    Thanks again for all of your help,

    Ben

    <<link to SWATeam message>>

    Attached Files: 

  10. Big10 Unplugged

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Hello Big Ten Unplugged!

    I registered our group today with the following schools and tentative dates:

    • UNL - Nebraska tentative dates are Feb 25 - Mar 17
    • Penn State tentative dates are Mar 16 - Apr 6
    • University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign tentative dates are Feb 21 - Mar 14
    • U of Minn - Twin Cities tentative dates Feb 23 - Mar 16    
    • Ohio State University Feb 16 - Mar 9
    • Michigan State University Feb 2-23

    We're good to go but still on the lookout for a traveling trophy. If you happen to have something we could use, please let me know. 

    Best of luck in your competition and we'll reconnect in early May when the winners are announced. 

    Best,

    Stacey White
    Sustainability Coordinator

    University Services

    University of Minnesota

    Office: 612-624-3285

    Attached Files: 

  11. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant announcement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Seek External Grant Funding for Implementation

    2015 NFWF Five Star/Urban Waters Restoration Program Invites Applications

    The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is inviting applications for the Five Star/Urban Waters Restoration Program, a public-private partnership designed to develop the capacity of communities to sustain local natural resources for future generations, with a particular focus on water quality, watersheds, and the habitats they support.

    The program is supported by the National Association of Counties and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,  Southern Company, FedEx, Bank of America, and PG&E. Each funder under this RFP has specific requirements for the projects they will support (see below). NFWF will match all funding sources applicable to that project’s activities, location, and project type. Grant awards will range from $20,000 to $50,000 and must be matched on a one-to-one basis with cash and/or in-kind goods and services.

    1) EPA Five Star Restoration Training Program: A total of approximately $180,000 is available nationwide, in any size community, from EPA to fund projects meeting the Five Star program elements.

    2) Southern Company Five Star Restoration Program: Approximately $300,000 is available from Southern Company to support on-the-ground restoration projects and outdoor conservation outreach in the company’s service area.

    3) EPA and USFS Urban Waters Program: Grants totaling approximately $600,000 are available to help improve urban water quality, increase public access, and restore riparian habitat and urban forests in developed watersheds across the United States. Priority will be given to projects with an environmental justice focus or that benefit underserved and economically distressed communities in urban areas.

    4) FedEx EarthSmart Outreach: Approximately $415,000 is available from FedEx’s EarthSmart Outreach program to support urban conservation and restoration. All projects must include a volunteer event for up to fifty local FedEx employees. The program will support high-quality projects in Boston; Los Angeles; San Francisco/Oakland; Chicago; Memphis; Seattle; Dallas/Ft. Worth; Newark; Washington, D.C.; Indianapolis; Pittsburgh; Miami; Colorado Springs; Philadelphia; Harrison, Arizona; Phoenix; Cleveland; Atlanta; Portland, Oregon; Lakeland, Florida; New Berlin, Wisconsin; and Akron/Uniontown, Ohio.

    5) Fish Wildlife Service Urban Programs: Approximately $360,000 is available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for projects that engage urban neighbors and foster a sense of stewardship where there are Fish and Wildlife Service lands or offices nearby (within approximately 25 miles). Priority areas could also include locations where there are existing Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnerships or established Urban Bird Treaty Cities specified by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Proposals should articulate tangible ways the Fish and Wildlife Service can become an asset to the community.

    6) PG&E Nature Restoration Trust: Approximately $90,000 is available to support community-based habitat restoration and stewardship projects within PG&E’s service utility area. The trust supports projects that empower community groups, provide benefits to underserved communities, and engage with organizations that provide hands-on experiences for youth in the outdoors. In partnership with NFWF and PG&E, all grant recipients must be willing to host one media event that increases awareness of the project, facilitates partner recognition, and  serves as a volunteer opportunity for PG&E employees to engage in restoration and stewardship. Projects must be based in one of the following California counties: Kern, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, or Humboldt.

    7)  Bank of America: Approximately $195,000 is available from Bank of America to support community-based restoration and stewardship projects within specified geographic areas. All proposals in these areas must include a volunteer event for up to a hundred local Bank of America employees. The program will support projects in Boston; Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

    To be eligible for any of the above grants, applicants must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; a state,  local, or municipal government agency; an Indian tribe; or an educational institution.. Projects should be completed within one to two years of the award. For USFS urban waters funding, preference is given to projects that take place on, or directly benefit, public lands.

    See the NFWF website for complete program guidelines and application instructions: Complete RFP.

    Deadline: February 3, 2015 @ 11:59 p.m. EST

  13. Community Resources Inc interested in partnering with iSEE

    Associated Project(s): 
    Styrecycle: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycling program [ARCHIVED]

    On 12/03/2014 03:06 PM, Bartels, Bart A wrote:

    Hi Everyone,

    I just concluded a conversation with Matt Snyder of Community Resource Inc (CRI).  He is very interested in housing a densifier.  I am going to set up a meeting with him to work out the details and get pricing.  This is going to be the proposal based on his interests and our needs:

    Participating buildings will have a Gaylord on the dock for EPS dropoff.  CRI will pick up the gaylords and take the material to their facility, where the densifier or compactor will be housed.  Matt will take care of paying the labor for pick-ups, processing, and sales.  He will be paid out of the sales revenue with part of the revenue coming back to us.  The money coming back will pay for interns that will facility more EPS collection.  The meeting will determine responsibilities and how the revenue will be divided. 

    I am hopeful that we can work out acceptable terms.  Matt wants to make this work.  He said he shipped out a truck load of EPS this morning, even though it didn’t make sense.  I will let you know when the meeting is to take place.

    Bart

  15. Dining ships another gaylord full of gloves

    Associated Project(s): 
    Glove Recycling

    Dear all,

    Michael at Housing  just got another Gaylord full of gloves ready to ship at dining services. Making the total pounds of gloves recycled at Dining to over 1000lbs in just four months!

    Way to go all!!

    Regards,

    Shantanu

  17. note from Ben to iWG

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    2015 Illinois Climate Action Plan (2015 iCAP) [ARCHIVED]

    Dear iWG Members,

    We meet again this Thursday from 1:30-3:00, as usual in NSRC 358. Our lone agenda item will be going through the draft 2015 iCAP that Morgan, Stephanie, Nishant, and I (collectively known as the iCAP Drafting Committee) are assembling based on the SWATeam recommendations.

    I expect to send you a complete draft sometime tonight.  It's looking like it will be in the neighborhood of ~40 pages, and I hope you will be able to carve out some time to go through it carefully before Thursday afternoon.  It's okay if you'd like to share it with some of the people in the group you represent on the iWG to get their input, but if you do so please emphasize that it is a very early draft.  As a working draft, it should ideally not be widely circulated.  It would be great if you could embed comments in the Word document and return it to me before our iWG meeting.

    I will go over the draft at our meeting in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, analogous to how we envision doing so at the Sustainability Council meeting on December 8th.  I think this will also be a good format for us to discuss any contentious points in the draft.

    My plan is to incorporate your high-level comments from our meeting, together with your detailed comments in the Word document, into a revised draft that I will try to send to the SWATeams on Friday to get their feedback.  We will then incorporate their feedback and try to get you a new draft on the 1st or 2nd, so we can discuss it again at our meeting on the 4th.

    Thanks again for all your help, and I'll be sending you a draft sometime tonight!

    Cheers,

    Ben

  18. Working Bikes donation

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    Michelle,

    This Saturday we removed 390 bicycles from the warehouse.  Of the bikes we planned to ship to Ghana 60 or 70 did not fit into the shipping container.  I am arranging for Working Bikes to come down in a few weeks and pick these up.  I do not have a date yet.  I will let you know as soon as I can confirm details.  There are also about 60 good bikes that I will transfer from the warehouse to the bike center.  I will work with Tina and the other parking employees to get this done.

    Thanks,

    James Roedl

  20. ISTC newsletter update

    Associated Project(s): 
    Medicine Take-Back Program [ARCHIVED]

    Nitrile Hypoallergenic Gloves

    Students Provide Brain Power to Keep Old Medicines Out of Waterways

    A fall course at the University of Illinois is preparing a team of students to educate local college and high school students about the proper disposal of old pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). The class, led by colleagues at the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program working with Wei Zheng and Nancy Holm of ISTC, is one component of the grant titled "PPCPs: Extending Knowledge and Mitigation Strategies” that began in July as a partnership with U of I Extension and ISTC. The students are learning that how we choose to use and dispose of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) affects water quality. They are studying the impact of the many compounds – some of which are bioactive or toxic – that enter the environment, including from improper disposal. Part of the university’s Learning in Community program (LINC), the students are gaining practical work experience developing outreach materials to educate the public about PPCPs as well as marketing and advertising campaigns to emphasize the importance of disposing unwanted medicines in secure collection boxes at area police stations.

     

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