| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.88 |
| Liaison | Laura Young |
| Submission Date | Feb. 11, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Michigan State University
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.62 / 10.00 |
Bill
Lakos Engineer/Architect III IPF Energy and Environment |
Does the institution's GHG emissions inventory include all Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions?:
Does the institution's GHG emissions inventory include all Scope 3 GHG emissions from any of the following categories?:
| Yes or No | |
| Business travel | No |
| Commuting | No |
| Purchased goods and services | No |
| Capital goods | No |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | No |
| Waste generated in operations | No |
Does the institution's GHG emissions inventory include Scope 3 emissions from other categories?:
A brief description of the methodology and/or tool used to complete the GHG emissions inventory:
T.B. Simon Power Plant began reporting greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) in 2010. The EPA methodology is used to calculate all fuels burned in all units at the power plant, which means the data does not include fuel burned in fleet vehicles or purchased electricity. Data are available at the EPA facility level GHG emissions data website. (http://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do) After the passing of the Energy Transition Plan, a more comprehensive account was needed that included scope 1 and scope 2 emissions. The Energy and Environment department of the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities department is responsible for gathering the necessary data to calculate the GHG emissions reported here.
Has the GHG emissions inventory been validated internally by personnel who are independent of the GHG accounting and reporting process and/or verified by an independent, external third party?:
A brief description of the internal and/or external verification process:
MSU has used Sightlines to benchmark and assess GHG emisssions that include scope 1, 2, and 3. While we do not report scope 3 emissions in our report, we have collected data on the purchase of paper, waste, recycling, fertilizer use, construction, commuting, institutionally sponsored air travel, student study abroad programs, and travel to campus by out-of-state students.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 390,319.70 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 556,702.13 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 4,761.30 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 275.75 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 42,894.20 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 24,035.18 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 2 GHG emissions from other sources | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine total carbon offsets::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Institution-catalyzed carbon offsets generated | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 222 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon sequestration due to land that the institution manages specifically for sequestration | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from on-site composting | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 32,476 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the institution-catalyzed carbon offsets program:
Urban forest offset documented by Professor MacFarlane and verified by CCX protocals and third party auditors.
Building commissioning program.
South Campus Anaerobic digester.
A brief description of the carbon sequestration program and reporting protocol used:
A brief description of the composting and carbon storage program:
A brief description of the purchased carbon offsets, including third party verifier(s) and contract timeframes:
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 16,143 | 15,305 |
| Number of residential employees | 0 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 46,159 | 45,149 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 12,091 | 11,061 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 0 | 0 |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | July 1, 2014 | June 30, 2015 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2009 | June 30, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
The baseline period was adopted as part of the Energy Transition Plan in 2012.
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 1,243,327 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 177,245 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 766,016 Square feet |
Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year::
| Emissions | |
| Business travel | --- |
| Commuting | --- |
| Purchased goods and services | --- |
| Capital goods | --- |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | --- |
| Waste generated in operations | --- |
| Other categories (please specify below) | --- |
A brief description of the sources included in Scope 3 GHG emissions from "other categories":
A copy of the most recent GHG emissions inventory:
The website URL where the GHG emissions inventory is posted:
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives, including efforts made during the previous three years:
The Energy Transition Plan was adopted in 2012 - www.energytransition.msu.edu
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Due to the fact that the power plant serves the majority of the MSU campus, changes in its fuel supply and plant efficiency have a direct impact on the campus’ environmental performance. Since 2009-10, the campus has decreased coal use by 65 percent, which comprises the largest contribution to the 18 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Due to the fact that the power plant serves the majority of the MSU campus, changes in its fuel supply and plant efficiency have a direct impact on the campus’ environmental performance. Since 2009-10, the campus has decreased coal use by 65 percent, which comprises the largest contribution to the 18 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.