EPA recognizes Syracuse University as a Top 20 College & University Partner

EPA recognizes Syracuse University as a Top 20 College & University PartnerOctober 30, 2008Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Syracuse University as being among the top 20 colleges and universities nationwide that are leaders in purchasing green power. SU ranks 16th on the EPA’s latest Top 20 College & University Partner List and is recognized for its voluntary purchase of 22,800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of green power, which covers 20 percent of the University’s electricity needs.

EPA estimates that Syracuse’s green power purchase has the equivalent environmental impact of avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 3,000 passenger vehicles each year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 2,100 average American homes annually.

Updated quarterly, the Top 20 College & University list represents the largest green power purchasers among higher education institutions within the Green Power Partnership. Green power is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. Green power sources produce electricity with an environmental profile superior to conventional power technologies and produce no human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Purchases of green power also help accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide.

“Our nation is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more Americans understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” says EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “EPA commends Syracuse University for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power.”

EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has hundreds of Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small- and medium-sized businesses; local, state and federal governments; and colleges and universities.