| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.74 |
| Liaison | Krista Bailey |
| Submission Date | Oct. 20, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Pennsylvania State University
OP-1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.98 / 10.00 |
Shelley
McKeague Environmental Compliance Specialist Engineering Services |
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 | Yes |
| Commuting | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
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:
Penn State utilizes a Excel-based calculation tool developed by a graduate student customized for Penn State's emissions profile and data availability. Emissions factors and calculation methodologies are based on EPA MRR and WRI guidance.
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:
The original inventory calculation tool was developed by a graduate student as part of a thesis and was reviewed by multiple faculty members.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 162,885 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 194,547 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 11,552 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 12,560 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Scope 2 GHG emissions from purchased electricity | 167,101 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 232,004 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 | 0 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 | 397 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 535 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the institution-catalyzed carbon offsets program:
none
A brief description of the carbon sequestration program and reporting protocol used:
none
A brief description of the composting and carbon storage program:
Pre and post consumer food waste is collected at PSU operated hotels and catering services. Post consumer food waste is collected at dining halls. Other inputs include leaves, landscape debris and animal cage waste. Farm animal manure and crop residues are also used to create an optimal compost mix. Leaves, plant debris, brush, logs and pallets are also processed into mulch. Both the compost and mulch and used in landscape management.
A brief description of the purchased carbon offsets, including third party verifier(s) and contract timeframes:
Penn State purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from 2005-2012 to jump-start GHG reductions. These funds are now used for onsite efficiency projects.
In 2013, Penn State entered into a 10-year power purchase agreement with Mahoning Creek Hydroelectric Company. This new 6MW hydroelectric generating plant was built in 2013 at the existing USACE dam on Mahoning Creek located in Armstrong County, PA. Penn State will purchase all of the net electric output from the facility and retain the environmental attributes. This is approximately 8% of the University Park campus’ electric purchase.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 14,801 | 13,795 |
| Number of residential employees | 0 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 49,065 | 39,043 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 16,793 | 14,183 |
| 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, 2012 | June 30, 2013 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2006 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
FY2005-06 was adopted as our baseline year to be consistent with our previous STARS reporting.
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 1,299,069 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 43,342 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 418,124 Square feet |
Scope 3 GHG emissions, performance year::
| Emissions | |
| Business travel | 15,927 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Commuting | 39,805 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Purchased goods and services | --- |
| Capital goods | --- |
| Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2 | --- |
| Waste generated in operations | 1,543 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Other categories (please specify below) | 10,273 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the sources included in Scope 3 GHG emissions from "other categories":
Transmission & Distribution loss
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 reduction strategy focuses primarily on energy, with initiatives in conservation, efficiency and green building design. In 2011, a natural gas Combustion Turbine and Heat Recovery Steam Generator was installed to cogenerate steam and provide for more on-site electricity production. This has significantly reduced the coal use as well as reduced purchased electricity. There is a plan to eliminate coal use by 2016. The University has invested heavily in efficiency with the Energy Conservation Program, Continuous Commissioning Program and large projects through the Energy Savings Program. The University will invest $60M over the next 5 years. Programs in transportation, waste management and purchasing as well as comprehensive sustainability awareness efforts contribute to the strategy.
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Enrollment/ employment data are most readily available as a fall snapshot; the values above are for Fall 2005 & 2013. Distance education students are NOT included in the FTE enrollment figures; thus we do not provide a value for them above to allow a more accurate calculation of "Weighted Campus Users". Employee FTE is estimated from employee headcount.
Enrollment/ employment data are most readily available as a fall snapshot; the values above are for Fall 2005 & 2013. Distance education students are NOT included in the FTE enrollment figures; thus we do not provide a value for them above to allow a more accurate calculation of "Weighted Campus Users". Employee FTE is estimated from employee headcount.
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.