Study Scrutinizes College Emissions

Author: Ron Schildge

Over the past decade Middlebury College has significantly increased its greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the looming threat of global climate change, according to an ongoing Emissions Inventory.

The Emissions Inventory is a cooperative effort among Sustainable Campus Coordinator Connie Bisson, members of the Environmental Council's Carbon Neutral Subcommittee and Emissions Inventory Research Assistant Doug Dagan '02.

"We have seen a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions, specifically related to carbon dioxide," said Dagan. Changes in consumption patterns have to be made now, he asserted, if Middlebury is to maintain a 'green' campus.

The Carbon Neutral Subcommittee of the Environmental Council is setting its sights on reducing emissions. It aims to increase investments in efficiency and conservation, reduce waste by shifting to renewable resources and promote carbon offsets such as tree planting and supporting local environmental efforts.

Middlebury currently consumes over 37,000 gallons of gasoline and 7,000 gallons of diesel a year. Since fossil fuel consumption contributes even more to greenhouse gas emissions, switching to alternative fuels such as biodiesel and hybrid vehicles could prompt a decline in emissions.

The Emissions Inventory has been assessing data on all College assets and emissions impacts since 1990. The assessment covers various energy sources such as electricity, oil, diesel, propane and gasoline. Other considerations include methane gas related to waste generation and transportation related to all College affairs.

Transportation issues have made the greenhouse gas emissions assessment at Middlebury more complicated. The difficulty lies in calculating the College's level of responsibility for environmental impacts of travel for employees, students, speakers, temporary workers, deliveries, marketing and fundraising. The emissions calculations even extend to spring break trips and flights to and from study abroad programs.

Middlebury draws electricity primarily from hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, neither of which produces significant emissions. However, Vermont Yankee, the College's major nuclear power provider, will close down in 2012. Possible future energy sources include coal-burning plants in the Midwest, which produce considerable emissions.

In 1993 Middlebury ceased to use energy from coal-burning plants. The College currently uses a cogeneration heating system, which employs the step-down in boiler pressure to run through turbines to generate electricity.

The Environmental Council plans to promote environmental awareness on National Hang Out Day, to be held on April 19. This event aims to encourage students to hang-dry, instead of using high-energy tumble dryers.

Past environmental impact assessments include Pathways to a Green Campus (1995) and The State of the Environment Report (1998). Neither document looked at the relationship between fuel consumption to gas emissions. They focused primarily paper consumption, waste generation and ways to promote awareness and activism.

Public meetings of Carbon Neutral are held on Wednesdays, 12:15 p.m. in FIC Cook 1. The Environmental Council meets bi-weekly starting March 12 at 4:30 p.m. in Le Chateau. Contact Connie Bisson at 443-5043 for more information.