| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.58 |
| Liaison | Brad Spanbauer |
| Submission Date | Sept. 12, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Brian
Kermath Sustainability Director Sustainability Office |
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:
The university is dedicated to lowering fossil fuel emissions and the carbon footprint associated with transportation through;
UW Oshkosh is contracted with Oshkosh Transit System to allow all campus members free access to the city bus system with their campus ID.The university is also contracted with Zimride an online ride sharing community to connect students, staff and faculty in promotion of carpooling.Cycling is encouraged on campus with increased number of bike racks, bikes for short term or long term rent, and Fix-It stations have been installed around campus.
Established incentives for students to opt out of bringing a car to campus and special parking spaces for carpools
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:
We are part of the American Colleges and University President's Climate Commitment for lowering our fossil fuel emissions. Emission levels are calculated using the Campus Carbon calculator online operated by the The Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire.
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 0 Tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 0 Tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 0 Tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 0 Tons |
| Ozone (O3) | 0 Tons |
| Lead (Pb) | 0 Tons |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | --- |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | 0 Tons |
| 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:
Reduce the fossil CO2 emissions from the campus heating plant 30%, by 2019.
In 2020, the heating plant is scheduled for a major renovation and upgrade. Investigate the potential for including a biomass boiler to the portfolio of equipment that will provide heat to the campus. Also consider the possibility of incorporating a co-generation capability to the upgraded facility.
Consider the implementation of geo-thermal heating and cooling to all future new construction and major renovation projects. Particular attention should be given to the installation of innovative hybrid geo-thermal systems that accommodate partial loads of facilities.
Continue to provide annual maintenance to repair steam traps and damaged steam line insulation.
Pursue all other opportunities to make the heating plant more energy efficient.
Investigate the possibility of building a second biodigester to produce methane that could be added to the fuel mix of the heating plant.
Incorporate Passive House Standards for passive solar design into future designs to the extent possible, especially with regards to insulation standards.
Reduce the CO2 emissions/energy consumption from the campus central chiller plant.
Consider the installation of thermal ice storage technology, either at the central plant or at individual building sites.
Continue to provide annual maintenance to ensure the highest level of operation efficiency of equipment.
Consider the installation of absorption chillers as appropriate.
Consider the modification of summer work/teaching schedules to start and end earlier in the day so as to avoid high cooling loads in late afternoon.
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:
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.