| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.74 |
| Liaison | Krista Bailey |
| Submission Date | Oct. 20, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Pennsylvania State University
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Shelley
McKeague Environmental Compliance Specialist Engineering Services |
Does the institution have policies and/or guidelines in place to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources?:
A brief description of the policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:
Penn State has anti-idling guidelines for compliance with The Diesel Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act. This restricts idling to 5 minutes per 60-minute period unless exemptions apply. Penn State has a coordinated effort among Parking, Housing & Food Services, General Stores and Athletics. Signs have been placed in appropriate areas.
Has the institution completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary sources on campus?:
A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:
Penn State submits an Emissions Inventory Production Report annually to DEP. GHG Emissions from stationary sources are reported annually to the EPA under the GHG MRR.
Emissions are calculated based on fuel use and emissions factors from stack test results or industry standard emissions factors.
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 225 Tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 927 Tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 36 Tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 11 Tons |
| Ozone (O3) | --- |
| Lead (Pb) | 0 Tons |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | 53 Tons |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | --- |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s initiatives to minimize air pollutant emissions from stationary sources, including efforts made during the previous three years:
The West Campus Steam Plant (WCSP) has emissions controls. A Baghouse, installed in 1986 greatly decreases particulate emissions from the plant. The WCSP also has 2 steam turbines for combined heat and power. CHP systems are much more efficient and emit lower emissions than traditional power plants. In 2011, Penn State expanded its CHP ability with the installation of a natural gas Combustion Turbine and Heat Recovery Steam Generator at the East Campus Steam Plant. As a baseloaded machine, its operation has significantly reduced coal consumption and resulting emissions from this dirtier fuel. Penn State plans to eliminate coal use by 2016.
The website URL where information about the institution’s outdoor air quality policies, guidelines or inventory is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Emissions data provided comes from the 2012 PADEP Emissions Inventory Production Report.
Emissions data provided comes from the 2012 PADEP Emissions Inventory Production Report.
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.