Executive Summary
In 2011, Lane Community College released a plan to become carbon neutral by 2050. The 2017 Climate Action Plan 2.0 update represents the accomplishments and lessons learned in the six years since the first plan was published. This revised plan takes from the work of the previous plan noting completed items, items still in progress, and new initiatives to move the college forward on the path toward carbon neutrality.
The 2017 revision retains the same five strategies as the first plan: Energy Use Reduction, Renewable Energy, Transportation and Land Use, Reduced Waste and Purchasing, and Adaptation, Education, and Habituation. It details timelines for completing items and initiatives, keeping in mind that technologies, attitudes, and availability of resources will change over time.
Please see Appendix A for a graphical representation of the completion of the 2011 plan.
Institutional Structures
Institutional structures that have supported this document include:
Lane’s Sustainability Core Value
• Integrate practices that support and improve the health of systems that sustain life.
• Provide an interdisciplinary learning environment that builds understanding of sustainable ecological,
social, and economic systems, concern for environmental justice, and the competence to act on such
knowledge.
• Equip and encourage all students and staff to participate actively in building a socially diverse, just,
and sustainable society, while cultivating connections to local, regional, and global communities.
Sustainability Policies and Procedures
• Sustainability: Design and Construction (http://www.lanecc.edu/cops/sustdsgn.htm).
• Sustainability: Energy Conservation (http://www.lanecc.edu/cops/sustenrg.htm).
• Sustainability: Recycling (http://www.lanecc.edu/cops/sustrecy.htm).
• Purchases: Recycled Paper (http://www.lanecc.edu/cops/purcycle.htm)
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Greenhouse gas inventory (2016)
Total Emissions: 66,765 metric tons CO2e
• Stationary combustion (natural gas and propane): 2,679 metric tons CO2e
• Mobile combustion (college-owned vehicles & airplanes): 34 metric tons CO2e
• Purchased electricity: 5,337 metric tons CO2e
• Commuting: 58,444 metric tons CO2e
• Air travel: 235 metric tons CO2e
• Solid waste: 70 metric tons CO2e
Total Mitigation: 1972 metric tons CO2e
• Emissions reductions due to the purchase of Rnewable Enegy Credits: 886 metric tons CO2e
• Emissions reductions from on-site forest sequestration: 1086 metric tons CO2e
Net Emissions: 64,793
Process for Updating
In spring 2017, the Institute for Sustainable Practices engaged in a comprehensive process to gather feedback, ideas, and concerns about the 2011 Climate Action Plan.
Governance Council Meetings:
The Institute for Sustainable Practices visited all college governance councils during the regular council meeting times to discuss the 2017 update:
Facilities Council – April 11th, 2017
Diversity Council – April 14th, 2017
Learning Council – April 14th, 2017
Technology Council – May 3rd, 2017
Student Affairs Council – May 5th, 2017
Finance Council – May 17th, 2017
College Council – May 25th 2017
Information Sessions
In conjunction with governance council meetings, the Institute for Sustainable Practices also held public information sessions to gather feedback for each climate strategy from the college community. All sessions offered a presentation of the strategy followed by a completion update.
Schedule for Information Sessions:
Energy Efficiency: April 17th, 2017
Renewable Energy: April 27th, 2017
Transportation and Lane Use: May 1st, 2017
Reduced Waste and Purchasing: May 8th, 2017
Adaptation, Education, and Habituation: May 15th, 2017
Energy Use Reduction
Under the original Climate Action Plan, the Energy Use Reduction section was titled “Energy Efficiency.” The Institute for Sustainable Practices has changed the title to “Energy Use Reduction” as a way to reflect the desired outcome of the actions outlined here.
Emissions from natural gas for heating represent the second largest contributor to Lane Community College’s greenhouse gas inventory. In 2014, the college identified a path to net-zero energy through a combination of on-site generation, efficiency measures, education, green revolving loan funds, and renewable energy credits. The Green Revolving Fund was updated in 2017 and continues to be refined as cost structures and technology improves. The college employs a full time Energy Analyst who is tasked with developing and implementing energy conservation and renewable energy projects.
Lane has set a goal to decrease energy use by two percent per year, and will also increase on-site renewable energy generation and purchase off-site renewable energy credits to meet energy needs while reducing carbon emissions.
Updates on 2011 Initiatives:
Complete:
1. Central Plant Equipment Upgrade
An upgrade to the main campus central plant controls and boiler and chiller equipment was completed in 2016. This project was funded by a local bond levy and was completed in three phases:
Phase 1: New hot water boilers and condensing units
Phase 2: Cooling tower replacement
Phase 3: New chiller and chiller building
2. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Mechanical System Upgrades
Upgrades to Lane’s heating ventilation and air conditioning mechanical systems were implemented in 2011 and 2012 with funds from Lane’s current bond levy.
Upgrades in conjunction with major remodels of Buildings 10, 11, 15, 18, and Center included sealing ducts, variable air volume conversions, and multi-zone heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit rebuilds.
Partially Complete:
1. Training and Education
The habits and behaviors of building occupants can cause even the highest-functioning buildings (such as a LEED certified building) to perform or underperform with regard to energy use. According to a 2014 study commissioned by the US Department of Energy, the “social potential” of energy use reduction in workplaces “is as or more important than the ‘technological potential’ “of high performing buildings and building upgrades.[1] Educating building occupants to live within the boundaries of building systems and properly operate building interfaces is primary to college achievement of energy use reduction goals.
Training maintenance staff and contractors about proper maintenance and troubleshooting of building systems is key to protecting the asset, extending the life of the system, and achieving energy use reduction goals. As part of this effort, the college and the ISP will create a “rules, roles, and tools” reference for occupants and maintenance staff as guidelines for best practices.
Plan to Complete:
· Finalize the Lane Energy Conservation Master Plan, a new and comprehensive plan to address occupant and maintenance staff behavior. The Energy Conservation Master Plan addresses four areas: building energy modeling, behavior change education for building occupants, real-time building scheduling, and indoor temperature guidelines.
· Complete biannual comfort survey of building occupants in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
· Conduct either one behavior campaign for building occupants or one training opportunity for maintenance staff per term.
2. Roof Replacements The college performed several roof replacements, which has resulted in increased insulation and subsequent reductions in heating and cooling. The roof replacements have been and will continue to be funded by the general fund major maintenance budget and bond funds. The current status of roof replacements is:
· Replace the Building 15 roof in 2011 (complete)
· Replace the Building 11 roof in 2012 (complete)
· Replace the Building 6 roof in 2013 (complete)
· Replace the Building 17 roof in 2014 (not complete)
· Replace the Building 3 roof in 2014 (complete)
· Replace the Building 19 roof in 2018 (in progress)
· Replace the Building 1 roof in 2019-2020.
Plan to Complete:
The budget for roof replacements comes from the major maintenance portion of the Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) budget, and is not controlled or managed by the Institute for Sustainable Practices. However, through a collaboration between FMP and the ISP to improve college facilities, all replacements will include improved insulation and metal roofing to extend the life of the new roofs.
3. Improve Building-Level Utility Sub-Metering
Lane plans to connect building-level utility sub-meters to a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system using a combination of capital outlay funding and
future deferred maintenance funding. This building automation system is a web-based graphical interface that helps users better understand and work with the data collected by the sub-meters. This information helps building operators control and schedule buildings for maximum life of the equipment and energy savings.
4. Continue to Improve Lighting and Lighting Control Systems
· Improve the interior lighting automation systems in Buildings 1 and 16 to enable more consistent energy efficient daylight controls. This project will be a continuation of lighting commissioning projects that were funded from the Green Revolving Loan fund.
· Complete the interior and exterior lighting control panel upgrades at Buildings 6, 19, and 24 to interface with a campus lighting control network.
· Fine tune and commission exterior lighting controls for the recent LED lighting upgrades to exterior and parking lot lights on main campus.
(Complete)
Plan to Complete Items 3 and 4:
These items require significant investment though capital request or major maintenance. The Institute for Sustainable Practices will partner with Facilities Management and Planning to advocate for increased major maintenance funding. The ISP will continue to make capital funding requests as well. Adopting the Lighting Control Plan, below, will also help accomplish item 4.
Removed:
1. Retro-Commission Building 1 and Building 19
Building 1 was constructed in 2001 and Building 19 had a major remodel and large addition in 2003. Both projects were funded by Lane’s 1995 bond levy. Both of these buildings were constructed before the college implemented commissioning as a standard practice.
Update:
Due to the high cost of complete retro-commissioning, the college will defer this item. Retro-commissioning remains a goal, however, and the college will strive to integrate these measures as deferred maintenance funds become available. The college will focus on HVAC upgrades as part of the plan to accomplish deferred maintenance items..
New Initiatives:
Finalizing and adopting the following initiatives will require close collaboration with Facilities Management and Planning. In most cases, adopting and realizing these plans will require investment though future bonds, public-private partnerships, internal loan fund mechanisms, or improved major maintenance budgets. Supporting Facilities Management and Planning with the quest to tackle Lane’s $40 million deferred maintenance backlog will be essential in adopting and accomplishing these plans.
1. Adopt the Energy Efficiency Master Plan
The Energy Efficiency Master Plan seeks to implement campus-wide energy saving
technology by focusing on the following areas:
· HVAC retro-fits or replacements,
· Lighting system upgrades and replacements,
· Plug loads,
· Improved insulation of wall, window, and door systems, and
· Other equipment
Plan to complete:
2017-2018: Work with Facilities Management and Planning to refine the
plan.
2018-2019: Plan will be submitted to Facilities Council for review and discussion.
2019-2022: Finalized plan will inform all remodels, new construction, and
major maintenance.
2. Adopt the Energy Conservation Master Plan
The Energy Conservation Master Plan seeks to leverage people to change
behaviors in their spaces and improve maintenance practices though
monitoring and scheduling. The Energy Conservation Master Plan
focuses on the following areas:
· Building energy monitoring (performance metrics, improved data collection,
· Behavior change education for maintenance staff, college employees, and students,
· Integration of building equipment schedules and room scheduling, and
· Increased range of indoor temperatures.
Plan to complete:
2017-2018: Work with Facilities Management and Planning to refine
the plan.
2018-2019: Plan will be presented to Facilities Council for review and discussion.
2019-2022: Finalized plan will inform all remodels, new construction, and
major maintenance.
3. Update Design and Construction Policy
The current Design and Construction Policy was adopted in 2007. Since that time, the college has constructed four LEED buildings and has set a higher standard for construction and renovation of its spaces. In order for the college to realize its net-zero energy goals, new spaces must reduce energy by 11% per year over the 2008 baseline year. The updated Design and Construction Policy will recommend the following:
· All construction or renovation should meet or exceed LEED Silver rating.
· Integrate the Green Standards Checklist, a guide for facilities construction and renovation to ensure minimum sustainability requirements.
· Improve front-end construction documents for standardization, adherence to sustainability and efficiency measures, and design guidelines.
· All new construction or renovation should include utility metering for electricity, water, natural gas, and steam.
Plan to Complete:
2017-2018: Since this is a major revision of a policy that affects all construction, the
Institute for Sustainable Practices will partner with Facilities Management and Planning to co-sponsor the policy update. Facilities Council and the Vice President for College Services will also be involved. The goal is to create a policy that is flexible, but adherent to modern efficiency standards.
2018-2019: The updated Design and Construction Policy will be presented to Facilities
Council for review, revision, and approval. Policy will progress through College Council approval process.
2019-2022: Finalized plan will inform all remodels, new construction, and
major maintenance.
Renewable Energy
Historically, Lane has been a leader in adopting renewable energy as a path toward crafting solutions to its own and the world's environmental challenges. Examples of the college’s strategies to fulfill its 2005 Talloires Declaration and 2006 Climate Leadership Commitment commitments include:
· Purchase of 10% of offsite renewable energy.
· Offset electricity use with 1% on-site renewable energy generation.
· Institute a revolving loan fund for energy conservation and renewable energy projects.
· Develop a strategy for becoming carbon neutral.
· Allocate $830,000 for on-site renewable energy from a 2008 $83 million capital project bond.
Lane uses about 3 megawatts of renewable energy annually from on-site and off-site generation resources. An annual review of renewable energy resources is conducted by the college Energy Analyst, and adjustments are made to green power purchases to support the college’s commitments. The college has met and surpassed both of its renewable energy goals in 2014, and is currently drafting a new set of goals with assistance from the National Renewable Energy Lab. Lane’s initial success with renewable energy goals can be contributed in part to completion of a major wind power purchase in 2006 and construction of a series of solar electric projects from 2005 thru 2013.