| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.35 |
| Liaison | Wesley Enterline |
| Submission Date | April 22, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Wesley
Enterline Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Planning and Management |
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 campus has implemented “no-mow zones” that effectively remove certain areas of campus from a regular mowing schedule. This includes landscaping around all sign and light poles on campus to avoid use of handheld string trimmers. The campus is also contracted to use Zimride, an online ridesharing board, and have partnered with numerous other local campuses to establish a robust carpooling network. Receiving docks at the University Center and campus dining halls have implemented a “no-idling” policy.
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:
Campus heating plant boilers are held in permanent standby status, so the only time they consume any amount of fuel is during testing periods, which is negligible. Nonetheless, the reporting requirements for Operation Permit 128006120-F21 requires fuel consumption numbers to be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to generate a Quarterly Fuel Sampling Analysis Report. This report includes the following variables: Coal (tons/month), Ash (%), Sulfur (%), Heat (Btu/lb), SO2 (lbs/mmBtu), Fuel Oil (gallons), and Fuel Oil Sulfur (%). Zero quantities of Coal Ash and Fuel Oil were burned during Fiscal Year 2014. Fuel reports indicate that natural gas is used to test fire the heating plant boilers.
Emissions from standby generators was calculated based on specifications from the manufacturer and the average run time during a testing period, multiplied by the frequency by which these generators are tested. The generators are tested 2 times a month for 30 minutes per testing period. These emissions are also represented under Scope 1 of the greenhouse gas inventory.
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 0.94 Tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 0.12 Tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 0.21 Tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 0.51 Tons |
| Ozone (O3) | 0 Tons |
| Lead (Pb) | 0 Tons |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | 0 Tons |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | 0 Tons |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | 0.57 Tons |
A brief description of the institution’s initiatives to minimize air pollutant emissions from stationary sources, including efforts made during the previous three years:
Stationary sources of emissions largely originate from the use of emergency generators since all steam and electricity is purchased from off-campus suppliers. Therefore, maintaining a consistent power supply to the campus is paramount to avoid starting these generators. To accomplish this more consistently, an upgrade to the primary campus electrical switchgear helps maintain the electrical supply. Additionally, many of the generators have been recently upgraded to newer, more efficient models.
To help avoid fugitive emissions of steam once on campus, upgrades or repairs to existing underground steam lines helps avoid steam loss, which leads to unnecessary additional steam generation at the co-generation plant that supplies the campus.
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:
Areas of opportunity include considering the expansion of a “no-idling policy” for wider implementation across campus. Fugitive refrigerant emissions are generally minimal, but a more descriptive narrative for accomplishing this goal will be useful.
Areas of opportunity include considering the expansion of a “no-idling policy” for wider implementation across campus. Fugitive refrigerant emissions are generally minimal, but a more descriptive narrative for accomplishing this goal will be useful.
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.