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Projects Updates for theme: all

  1. March 2017 Sustainability Council Recommendations & Next Steps

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Clean Power Agreements Off-Campus
    Energy Conservation Efforts
    Utility and Energy Services Funds

    Director of iSEE, Evan DeLucia, summarized three recommendations presented at the March 2017 Sustainability Council meeting: EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standard, EGen003 Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Timeline, and ECons003 Conservation Budget, as well as the next steps, for Chancellor Jones’ approval.

    We followed up with the Sustainability Council on April 25, 2017, with the attached file.

    See Transmittal of EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standards here.

    See iWG Assessment for SWATeam recommendation EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standard here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standards here.

    See Transmittal of EGen003 PPA term to the Sustainability Council here.

    See iWG Assessment of EGen003 PPA Term here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen003 PPA Term here.

    See Transmittal of ECONS003 Conservation Budget to the Provost Office

    See iWG Assessment of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

    ee SWATeam Recommendation of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

     

    Attached Files: 

  2. Minutes 4/21/2017

    Associated Project(s): 
    Battery Recycling

    The Purhcasing, Waste, and Recycling SWAT Team met to disucss topics including the ethics compliance video and battery recyling. The SWAT Team decided on three recommendations to make to the Associate Director of Campus Sustainability, Ximing Cai. These reccomendations include: 

    1. Promoting the Ethics Compliance Video with a written summary

    2. Implement the approved Paper Policy draft

    3. Continue battery recycling on campus 

    The SWAT Team also discussed efforts to increase recycling/lower the use of paper on campus. One avenue the team considered is urging RSOs to use less paper to promote their activities during Quad Day. 

    Attached Files: 

  4. Weekly update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hello all,

    Here are my updates from last week:

    • I attended the PWR SWATeam meeting, during which the team decided to finalize and forward its recommendations for a CAM paper policy. I need to obtain a document showing the recommendations, as I did not see a final version of it. They also discussed comments they had provided for the Ethics Office video supporting recycling compliance. They will cc Morgan and Micah on the message containing the recommendations. The group discussed avenues to promote sustainability and the behaviors that support it at the marathon, at Quad Day, and during EOH.
    • I communicated with Jessica Tran to set up a meeting regarding recycling options for Family and Graduate Housing.

    Sincerely,


    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

     

  5. April 21st, 2017 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Decrease Emissions from UI Fleet
    Develop Scenarios for Converting the UI Fleet to Renewable Fuels
    Upgrade Bike Parking U-loops
    Reduce Driving on Campus

    Meeting Minutes 4/21/17

    In attendance:

    Ximing Cai

    Pete Varney

    Brian Farber

    Yanfeng Ouyang

     

    Summary:

    This meeting serve to continue discussion on campus fleet, bike parking, and campus parking. Also, Ximing Cai was introduced to the team.

     

    Topics:

    Discussion on Campus Fleet

    Pete led a discussion on campus fleet efforts. He stated that converting campus fleet to EVs and CNG vehicles would have a large effect on campus emissions, and that campus utility is interested in learning about electric vehicles, but there are certain obstacles to converting campus fleet. First it would cost about half a million dollars or more. These costs are largely attribute to building infrastructure for CNG refueling systems. In addition, campus fleet vehicles for Facilities and Services as well as housing do not drive very far, so the fuel savings would be small. However, converting campus fleet would be practical as the vehicles do not travel off campus, meaning there will be no inconvenience in refueling the vehicles.

    Bike Parking

    We continued our discussion on bike parking from the last meeting. One of our concerns, given the cost of the permits, is security. Anyone who is paying for a permit must be certain that there bike is secure. We might want to have security cameras.

    Parking

    We discussed efforts to encourage less driving through parking incentives. Pete suggested having a passenger-car-free campus zone by placing parking outside of certain zones of campus. This idea was well received by the group and generally liked. However, we discussed challenges to any parking changes. We discussed specific proposals to adjust parking prices, shown here:

    -          Try to price people out of parking and mitigate this by reducing the price at other locations

    -          Allow flexible payment in percentage of salary

    -          Have and “auction” in which whoever pays the largest percent of their salary gets the closest location.

    -          Remove or lift parking cap so that wealthier parkers pay more and thus provide more revenue

    -          Have a private company raise rates on parking

     

    Then, we discussed challenges to these proposals:

    -          Parking is important to unions – any changes may result in strikes or political conflict

    -          The sentiment of Parking and Campus master plan does not necessarily agree with people parking farther away – an objective that would be achieved through a passenger-car-free zone

    -          Hiring private company likely not a good idea – their primary motivation is profit

    -          City of Champaign changed parking ordinances so that spaces at churches, fraternities, etc, decrease

     

    Our next meeting is TBD.

     

  7. Water & Stormwater Meeting Minutes 4/13/2017

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water and Stormwater SWATeam
    Agriculture, Land Use, Food, and Sequestration (ALUFS) SWATeam
    BIF Greywater Pipe System
    Green Roofs on Campus

    Discussion of upcoming joint meeting with Agriculture, Land Use, Food and Sequestration (ALUF) SWAT. Development of ideas for student projects, including georeferenced inventory for F&S, analysis of green roofs and solar panels, and phoshorus monitoring of stormwater. 

    Attached Files: 

  8. Weekly update for Zero Waste

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Hello all,

    Here is a summary of my activity last week:

    • I spoke with Joy Scrogum about the state of battery recycling on campus and thoughts for its future. Then Morgan, Micah Kenfield, and I met with Robert McKim and Clara Bosak-Schroeder, two faculty members who want to help with promoting battery recycling on campus. I provided them with a link to the Call2Recycle website, where they can purchase battery recycling boxes.
    • I met with Jonathan McClintock from Kimberly Clark to learn more about the RightCycle program under which we are recycling gloves. I also stopped by an event at Krannert, where companies affiliated with Fisher Scientific were showcasing their products.
    • Morgan and I spent time on Friday catching up on various recycling efforts and defining the next steps, with particular attention to communications about source separation and my assignment to map where the outdoor bins are around campus.

     

    Sincerely,

    Marya Ryan
    Zero Waste Coordinator

     

  9. 14 hours left!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Hey teams,

    We have just 14 hours left in the competition. Have an impromptu study hour, post some pictures on FB, get more people to sign up for next year! It's never too late to make an impact.

    As the competition winds down, I want to send out a couple of important reminders.

    1. The goal of Eco-Olympics is behavioral change. Remember to carry the things you've learned with you!
    2. If you still haven't gotten your shirt, its not too late. Just reach out to me.
    3. Tomorrow is the deadline to RSVP for a leadership certificate.
    4. If you had events, SEND ME YOUR ATTENDANCE SHEETS. I can't give you participation points if I don't know you had an event or I don't know how many showed up.

    Thanks for all you've done teams!

    Best,

    Jessica Mondello
    Eco-Olympics | Director

    Think Globally. Act Locally.

     

  12. Update on Eco-Olympics and the Leadership Certificate

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Hello team members,

    You have worked hard to make a difference in your hall by creating awareness and influencing behavioral change during the Eco-Olympics competition. Now it’s time for your recognition, we have worked with the Chancellor’s office to bring you Leadership Certificates for your stewardship and positive impact on campus. See the attached certificate for a preview.

    Please RSVP by Monday April 17th at midnight  if you would like to add this certificate to your achievements in outstanding leadership on campus.

    Thank you for an Awesome job and keep up the Great work!

    Jessica Mondello

    Eco-Olympics | Director

    Think Globally. Act Locally

    Attached Files: 

  13. EGEN SWATeam Meeting (4.13.17)

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Generation, Purchasing, & Distribution (eGen) SWATeam
    Solar Power on Campus
    Geothermal on Campus
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm
    Clean Power Agreements Off-Campus

    The EGEN SWATeam held another bi-weekly meeting. Topics covered include:

    • Ximing Cai's [in attendance] vision for iSEE and SWATeams
    • Developing a recommendation to expand UIUC solar farm.
    • Developing a recommendation for another clean energy PPA
    • Cost savings for geothermal systems and opportunities for implementation at solar farm and new building sites
    Attached Files: 

  14. ECBS SWATeam meeting minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Illini Lights Out
    Eco-Olympics
    Green Lab Program
    LEED Certification

    On the agenda at the ECBS SWATeam meeting:

    1) Report from Karl on projects he has been working on:

       a) Enterprise Works - proposed revolving loan project.  Awaiting departmental funding of $350K to complete project. 

       b) Memorial Stadium RCx work - This appears to be getting $500K in funding.

       c) National Soybean Research space walk preview.  

    2)  Discussion on LEED requirements as iCAP goal

    3)   BIF lighting follow up

    4)  Final planning for ILO on Friday, April 14

    5)   Updates:

       a) Eco-Olympics

       b) Recommendation for ILO continuation submitted by Marian

       c) Green Labs Coordinator position

    6) SWATeam next meeting time and date:  April 27th, from 3:30 to 5 pm. 

    Attached Files: 

  16. Our last big push!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Eco-Olympics

    Hey everyone!

    Just 5 days left! Plenty of time to make a significant change. Nugent, you're so close to Taft, catch them! Trelease and Van Doren battle for 3rd! Halls in the red, don't give up. With a group of friends, walk around the hall a couple times this week and flip lights off. Wardall turn your A/C off.

    Here are some reminders:

    • Take pictures of your efforts! Programs, posted fliers or energy tips, your team in your shirts, anything advertising the competition. Post them on our wall or tag us @EcoOlympicsUIUC
    • Big energy suckers are A/C units, mini fridges, heating cold water, and hair driers/straighteners. Unplug your fridge, wash your clothes in cold water, and go all natural for the next week.
    • We have shirts left! Let me know if you want yours!

    Check out the live results, here.

    Best,

    Jessica Mondello

    Eco-Olympics | Director

    Think Globally. Act Locally.

  20. John Marlin speaks at Campus Appreciation Day

    Associated Project(s): 
    Guest Speakers for Sustainability Topics

    Dr. Marlin spoke on how student initiated projects in the 1970s carried over to the present including recycling, river protection, highway policy and bikeways. The majority of his presentation focused on student involvement in local native planting projects to help preserve biodiversity, especially of pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

    Attached Files: 

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