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  1. Big Ten & Friends - a very interesting presentation based on data anayltics

    Associated Project(s): 
    Big Ten & Friends Sustainability

    Rob and Tony,

     

    This topic was presented at the Big Ten & Friends Conference last week. This is a truncated version of the slide deck, shared with me by the presenter (Jayd Grossman - https://cpf.iu.edu/contact/people-directory/grossman-jayd.html). Not all slides were shared, due to the sensitive nature of the data analyzed. I was wondering, is the University performing similar analyses? If so, is that data available (and where can it be found)? The energy baseline and usage trends are very interesting, when considering long-term energy plans.

     

    Thank you,

     

    Sylvia Mcivor

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

    Here was the presentation that sparked the idea.

     

    Best,

     

    Tony

    Attached Files: 

  2. Champaign County Climate Coalition 12/14 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support Regional Sustainability

    The following are notes from the meeting.

     

    There was a small discussion on hazardous materials and how to dispose of them.

     

    Earth day event planning and idea session.

    Should the location be altered?

    Crystal Lake

    Meadowbrook

    Success in the past:

    Wide range of activities

     

    Spring flower ID books/ Plant Walk

    A booklet that people can use to hunt spring flowers and identify them.

     

    C4 Hike Series

    A volunteer offered to lead hikes in the spring or summer

    What times would be best for hikes?

     

    C4 Social Event

    January evening social event?

    Riggs as a location

     

     

     

  3. Communication with Sterling

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

    Hi everyone,

     

    Getting these meetings scheduled for the next semester.

     

    Sterling, does this time at 1:30-2 work for you? I will alter the time slot if needed.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Quinn M. Connolly

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

    Hi Quinn,

     

    Yes, 1:30-2:00pm works fine for me.

     

    Also, now that you're added our Google Drive please feel free to take a look at the content folders and comment. If you prefer to email me your questions privately, you can do that as well.

     

    Over the holiday I plan to set up a similar Google Drive for us as iCAP Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control as well.

     

    Hi Sarthak + Morgan,

     

    Leon Liebenberg is on the top of my list to answer his questions regarding engineering student participation and SSC.

     

    Thank you for being patient with us up until now and rest assured that it will all be worth the journey!

     

    Have a happy and safe holiday!

     

    Thanks, Sterling

  4. Illinois General Assembly SB1769

    Associated Project(s): 
    Use Electric Vehicles (EV)

    Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB1769 (ilga.gov)

    This will be fun.

     

    Confirming my intention to be retired by 12/31/2029

     

    Thank you,

    Pete

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

    Sarthak, please read the link and provide a short summary for me and Stacey.

    Thanks, Morgan

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

    Hi Morgan and Stacey,

    It just says that by Jan 1, 2030, all new passenger vehicles that a state agency purchases or leases has to be zero emission.

     

    Sarthak

  5. RA Tax Credit - CDB IGA

    Associated Project(s): 
    Facility Standards

    All

    Per our discussion from the meeting on 12/8/2023 I reached out to Ebone White and Angela Jacobs with your concerns that language be included to the current IGA template that is being produced to ensure that CBD cannot file for the IRA tax credit due to property being owned by the University. Ebone informed me that they will add it to their working draft for discussion with CDB and legal.

     

    Thank you

    Angie

  6. Green Research Budget

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Research Committee

    Steph and I have been sending ideas on this back and forth for a few days. Wanted to share it as a starting point for our discussion this afternoon.

     

     

    Training software - $1000

    Swag - $2000

    Professional development travel: $4500

    Student help: $20,000

    Salary: $65,000-$75,000

    Food, shirts, recognition: $5,000

    Computer, telecom, supplies, PPE, transportation: $1,500

    Web presence (link to iCAP portal): $15,000

    Total ~$114,000-$124,000

     

    Additional considerations

    • If soft money, will need to fund fully burdened salary.
    • Contingency, escalation and inflation.
    • How will materials for initiatives be funded? Initial initiatives include shut the sash stickers, GRP branded equipment timers (swag item, departmental/lab purchase), and reduce/reuse/recycle equipment (shelves, etc.).
    • What about new initiatives/pilot programs? Will GRC need to perform costs-benefit analysis and secure funding through other means (e.g., SSC) or include a budget line. For a 5 year pilot this may be irrelevant

     -----------------------

    Dear Jeremy and Stephanie,

     

    Attached please find a draft budget, per our conversation yesterday.  Please let me know if I need to edit anything and please share the draft with Morgan for her input. 

     

    Thanks,

     

    Sharee

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

     

    Sharee,

    Thanks for putting this together! I think it looks good to me.

    Jeremy- do you want to share with Morgan?

    Steph

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

     

    I checked with IT on computer costs. We are no longer charged for phone access. That went away with Skype. Here’s what I received for hardware costs:

     

    For the laptop it's a 2880 dollar buy in with 60 dollars a month fees after meaning in 48 months it will pay for the next one. For desktop the structure is the same and is a 1680 dollar buy in with 35 dollar monthly fees. The monitors and dock are included in this cost in both cases (although of course there's no dock on a desktop)

     

    I know I missed adding computer(s) for the students. Students are usually provided desktops. I’m guessing we have some in the building that share but in general each student has their own because schedules usually overlap somewhere. If there’s no objections I can add the initial purchase of 2 desktops to FY24 and increase the other years by $70ish to account for the monthly fees.

     

    I also think we can probably lower the web presence costs in years 2-5. Maybe $5k in 2-5 for maintenance and minor customizations?

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

     

    Jeremy,

     

    Thank you for checking into the technology costs.  Your edits work for me. 

     

    Sharee

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

    Morgan provided comments on the revised budget asking that professional development for FY24 be removed and the full $5,000 for events/recognition in FY24 be included. Those changes along with the charges for computers have been addressed in the attached.

     

    Thanks

    Jeremy

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

     

    Jeremy and Stephanie,

     

    I hope you had a great holiday and weekend.  Thank you for providing the revised draft budget.  I don’t have any additional recommendations. I am meeting with Susan Martinis on Wednesday and will confirm the next steps with her.  I’m copying Patty Jones so that she has an opportunity to review the draft budget as well.

     

    I’ll follow up with you both after I meet with Susan.

     

    Thanks again,

     

    Sharee

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

     

    Dear Jeremy, Stephanie and Patty,

     

    I met with Susan this afternoon and she supports moving forward with the draft budget.  Perhaps the four of us can meet to discuss the next steps with regards to pursuing contributions for the pilot. I’m not familiar with the SSC process.  Susan indicated that these funds should be pursued and that perhaps other units would be willing to contribute to the Pilot.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Sharee

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

     

    I think we should include Morgan White in the discussion. Assuming funding is secured the program will fall under her and she is familiar with the SSC process and other potential funding sources.

     

    Thanks

    Jeremy

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

     

    Thank you, Jeremy,

     

    I am copying Jamie Willard to request her assistance in scheduling a 30-minute zoom call with the three of us and Morgan White to discuss the Green Research proposal.

     

    Sharee

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

    Good morning, All,

     

    I have taken a look at calendars to schedule this 30-minute zoom meeting to discuss the next steps with regards to pursuing contributions for the pilot and the SSC process. There is not a clear time that everyone can get together so I am asking for you to fill out the doodle below and see if there is any flexibility to be able to schedule this before winter break.

     

    Attendees:

    Sharee Robinson

    Patty Jones

    Jeremy Neighbors

    Stephanie Hess

    Morgan White

     

     

    Thank you for your time in this matter.

     

    Best,

    Jamie

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

    Good afternoon,

     

    My apologies on the delay of scheduling this meeting. I have talked to Sharee Robinson and she has confirmed that with the challenging calendars, this meeting can wait until after the winter break. I would like to schedule this zoom meeting for Monday, January 8th 10:30-11:00am.

     

    Please let me know if this will not work for you at your earliest convenience. I will be sending an electronic invite with zoom link shortly.

     

    Best,

    Jamie

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

    That works for me. Thanks for coordinating everything Jamie.

    Jeremy Neighbors

    Attached Files: 

  7. Weekly Update: Kids bike giveaway, Staff, Winter break

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, We’re down to a skeleton crew here as a lot of staff have departed for the semester. We’ll be fielding/repairing donations for the Kids Bike Giveaway this week, as a few last-minute folks have been reaching out thanks to mentions in E-week and the like. We’ll close after hours on Friday for the semester and reopen Tues, January 16th.

    Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 23

    Sales: $264
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $40

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  8. geothermal and UIC soil borings

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal on Campus
    Illinois Geothermal Coalition

    Hi Andy and Fernando,

     

    One of our key research partners for the Illinois Geothermal Coalition is Andy Stumpf (copied here).  He has asked if there are soil borings info for the Chicago campus.  Can you connect him with the right person?

     

    “Hi Morgan, Do you have a contact at UIC who would have access to their geotech and soil boring records.. person similar to Beth. I have been asked to help out with the Solar Decathlon project because they are interested in adding geothermal to the design. They plan to design an educational design and innovation center that is on the UIC campus and would occupy the two parking lots at 1198 W Vernon Park PI Parking, Chicago, IL 60607. Soil boring/geotech information for nearby buildings could help the design. I am also mapping Cook County, so this information would also be useful for that project. Would also be interested to know if there are any major water lines in along Harrison Street or I-290. Maybe an opportunity to include wastewater heat recovery.”

     

    Thanks!

    Morgan

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

    Hi Morgan,

     

    Thanks for the introduction. Nice to meet you Fernando. I am going to find out from the students who they are working with at UIC.

     

    Best,

    Andy

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

     

    Thanks, it may be Fernando (He is out of the office).

    I can pull files related to the 2009 Geothermal wells, but it might help to have a specific question to circulate. IS this accurate: Does UIC have any records of Soil boring/geotech information from past geothermal well drilling?

    Regarding water lines – best to assume every where on campus has some utilities under it.  There is likely water on Harrison and Racine,

     

    Andy Mitchell 

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

    Hi Andy,

     

    Thanks for getting back to me. Actually, it would be possible to get access to or copies of the soil borings for all projects on UIC campus, not just the geothermal projects. The Illinois State Geological Survey maintains a database of geological, engineering geology, and geophysical information for the entire state. Here is snapshot for part of the UIC campus with engineering test hole delineated by the red dots and labeled by the total depth of the drilling. The data can be accessed through the ISGS’ ILWATER map service https://go.illinois.edu/ilwater. Currently, only the owner, location, and soil boring logs are available for most of the engineering borings, but we plan in the near future to provide access to the engineering geology data entered from the reports and if allowed by the owner/client a pdf of the scanned documents. The boring locations were digitized from the maps included in the reports or coordinates surveyed and provided with the logs. As Morgan knows, I am working with Facilities & Services here to digitize all the soil borings on our campus and provide them through the ILWATER map service. This effort is being funded as a student project that received a grant from the UIUC Student Sustainability Committee. If you are interested in having the UIC data served in a similar manner, let’s talk some more about how this is being done at UIUC. For much of the data the ISGS on the UIC campus came from research survey geologists or UIUC CEE faculty were involved with on the campus and from consultants involved in the project. Beyond the Illinois Solar Decathlon design project, this data is being compiled for the ISGS project to map the surface and subsurface geology of Cook and DuPage counties. This mapping is being done to update work that was done in the 1940s or early. The data is used to develop the maps and models of the geology which we make available to the public. Below is one of the cross sections we made this year for west to east cross section along Roosevelt Road. We plan by 2028 to have a 3D model of the geology available for Cook County. The mapping project is being funded by the U.S. Geological Survey.

     

    Best.

    Andy

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

     

    Andy – this is exciting stuff and I’m confident we can share the records, once we locate them.

    I’m out of the office most of next week, and Fernando is just back and will playing catch up.

    When do you need this info by?

     

    Andy Mitchell 

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

    Hi Andy and Fernando,

     

    Getting back to you about the geotech soil borings. I have shared with you the Box folder with the logs found so far. The logs in the files starting with “x” have been plotted and the information is available through the ISGS borings database https://go.illinois.edu/ilwater. The logs in the files starting with “g” have not been entered yet.

     

    Best,

    Andy

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

     

    Thanks for the nudge Andy.

    I’ll connect with our manager Dave Taeyaerts about the best way to go about getting this.

    When do you need the info by?

     

    Andy Mitchell 

  10. Greywater System in the CIF Feasability Study Paper

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Instructional Facility: LEED Platinum

    Good afternoon Mr. Sims,

     

    My name is Juliette Deley and my team, Team 9, recently presented to you as part of our final project for CEE 190, Project Based Introduction to Civil & Environmental Engineering. Attached to this email is the paper to our feasibility study on implementing a greywater system in the Campus Instructional Facility.

     

    Again, thank you for taking the time to hear our presentation earlier today,

     

    Best,

    Juliette D. 

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

    Morgan, Jeremy, Katie and Mike,

     

    I attended freshman level Civil Engineering class project presentations last week. One of the presentations was their study regarding greywater system at CIF. They sent me their report.

     

    I have not had a chance to review and with this being a freshman level class not sure how much new information for you will be provided, but forwarding to you to let you know that students are interested about utilizing greywater systems on campus.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Jim

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

    Attached Files: 

  11. Small Solar at Energy Farm

    Associated Project(s): 
    Carbon-Neutral Energy for Campus

     

     

     

    Energy Tax Credit Form

    Webtools Form 447240223 submitted by:
    Tim Mies 
    College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (KL), Department of Crop Sciences (802), Staff
    11/09/2023 11:52 A.M.

    Thank you for submitting the Energy Tax Credit Form. The applicable University Liaison will contact you after it has been reviewed.

    1. Location:
    UIUC

    2. Applicant College/Department:
    Crop Sciences

    3. Project number and/or building (if applicable):
    near Energy Farm

    4. Anticipated beginning of construction date:
    2/1/2024

    5. Anticipated placed in service date:
    6/1/2024

    6. Total project budget (basis or cost):
    91,000

    7. Estimated construction costs (only include total energy project cost, including contingency):
    81,600

    8. Will the property be owned by the university as a depreciable asset?
    Yes

    9. Will the property be financed with tax-exempt bonds?
    No

    10. If yes, what percentage of the property is financed with tax-exempt bonds?

    11. Is the energy property funded by a restricted grant or restricted forgivable loan**?
    No

    12. If yes, what amount is funded by a restricted grant or restricted forgivable loan?

    13. Provide a brief description of the project and the energy component that may qualify for the tax credit:
    Project will connect existing 15kw solar panels to campus electrical grid.

    14. Briefly describe the proposed intended use of the tax credit funds:
    Funds will be used to support campus ICAP efforts

    15. What tax credit is applicable for the project?
    Investment tax credit IRC Section 48: qualified energy property or technology (Appendix A)

    16. Is this energy property funded by a grant made under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009 (The 1603 Program: Payments for Specified Energy Property in lieu of Tax Credits)?
    No

    17. Which of the following options describes the property?
    equipment which uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat, except property used to generate energy for the purposes of heating a swimming pool, or

    18. Is there qualified interconnection property associated with the project?
    No

    19. If yes, what is the basis (cost) of any qualified interconnection property associated with the energy project?

    20. Is the property part of a clean hydrogen production facility?
    No

    21. Does the project meet one (1) of the following requirements (five (5) times base credit amount for a total of 30%)?
    Yes

    22. If yes, which requirement is met?
    Item #1

    23. Does the project meet the domestic content bonus credit**?
    No

    24. Is the project located in an energy community**?
    No

    25. Do you want to proceed?
    Yes

    53. Submission and Liaisons
    Timothy Mies, Director Energy Farm Operations, 11/09/2023

     

     

     

     

     

     

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

    Hi Angie,

     

    I’ve reviewed this form (actually, Tim filled it out while I was with him), and I agree this small solar installation at UIUC should qualify for the IRA Tax Credit.  I understand that the next step is for you to review it, and then forward it to the Treasury Office for their review and processing.

     

    Please let me and Tim know if you have any questions.

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

     

    Morgan,

     

    Is this project actually a solar installation or just the interconnection?

     

    From below:

    “Project will connect existing 15kw solar panels to campus electrical grid.”

     

    If this is not the purchase/construction of solar panels for original use, it is not property as described under Section 48:

    equipment which uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat, except property used to generate energy for the purposes of heating a swimming pool,

     

    I’m happy to set up a time to discuss if that helps.

     

    Kimberly A. Maxwell, CPA

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

    Hi Tim and Rob,

     

    I’d like your perspective on this question about the small solar at the Energy Farm.  If you would like to discuss it, please let me know who to include in a call with the tax office.

     

    Thank you,

    Morgan

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

    Hi Morgan,

     

    Happy to discuss this further to determine if this project can meet the requirements for the credit.  Do we want to discuss internally first?

     

    Best,
    Tim

  12. Discussion about SSC projects in iCAP Portal - December 8, 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability iCAP Portal

    Michael McKelvey and Codie Sterner met on December 8, 2023 to discuss what information SSC would like to track and display about various SSC-funded projects. Major questions:

    • What fields currently in the iCAP Portal are helpful to show for the SSC project listing?
    • What new fields would be helpful for the SSC project listing?
    • How closely does the current implementation of Project Funding align with what SSC would like to display?
    • Discussion of envisioned listings/displays of information, metadata about projects (e.g. funding dates, status, etc.), and connections between different content types (e.g. project updates - how do we show only a project's updates which are relevant to SSC?)

    See attached Notes document for details.

    Attached Files: 

  13. Illini Lights Out event 12/1

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

    At Fridays event, 8,987 light bulbs were shut off that otherwise would have been left on all weekend, saving $1,367 in energy costs. This also prevented 11 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 1,236 gallons of gasoline being consumed. That's a huge impact!

     

  17. Education iCAP Team December 2023 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Education iCAP Team
    Sustainability Literacy Assessment
    Sustainability in Study Abroad
    Sustainability Internship Program

    The Education iCAP team met on Teams from 1-2 PM on Thursday, December 7th. The team discussed Sustainability in Study Abroad, the Sustainability Literacy assessment, and the Sustainability Internship Coordinator recommendation. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  18. iSEE Campus Sustainability Team Meeting notes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    Notes from our Campus Sustainability team meeting are attached.

    Actions:

    Miriam reaching back out to Ball State for more info on their program

    Jen reaching out to DIA for a mtg-some direct requests for signage, staff support for recycling collection, getting volunteers

    Morgan asked F&S to do an analysis of what could be accomplished with current $$ from carbon credit sales

    Ask Daphne to look into options for SFC bins

    Morgan would like for Madhu to speak to Paul Ellinger for his perspective on the carbon credit sales

    Jen to reach out to Lowa and Alma about water quality testing

    Miriam working to set up time with SSLC in Jan for a touch base meeting

    -Elizabeth

    Attached Files: 

  20. New Greener Campus Certifications - Fall 2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Certified Greener Campus Programs
    Certified Green Event Program
    Certified Green Chapter Program

    14 campus events have been recognized by iSEE's Certified Green Events program this fall, and two fraternities were recertified Gold under the Certified Green Chapter program — Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity and the Triangle Alpha Chapter. The events included: August — New Student Convocation, Gov. J.B. Pritzker Visit, Illinois Promise Lunch, Exchange & International Student Welcome Event, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Visit, Dennis H. May Diversity Conference on Mental Health and Higher Education, ABA TechShow; September — CCFD Kick-off, Illinois News Broadcasters Association Reception, Men's Football Games (Suite and Pregame Events), 2023 Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Meeting; October — Illini Lights Out; November — weSTEM Conference, P&T Bookplate Reception.  

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