 Photovoltaic Panels
at Cummings Hall |
On September 29, 2008 President James Wright announced that Dartmouth College will reduce its campus greenhouse gas emissions to help confront the global challenge of climate change. Based on the recommendations of the College’s Energy Task Force, Dartmouth will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2005 levels according to the following timetable:
At each milestone, the goal for the upcoming milestone will be reviewed and made more aggressive if possible.
The current estimate of Dartmouth’s GHG emissions in the year 2005 is approximately 87,000 MTCE (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents). Based on existing assumptions, the burning of No. 6 heating oil to co-generate steam and electricity is responsible for approximately 70-80% of the College’s estimated GHG emissions. Our strategies to reduce GHG emissions are therefore focused on reducing the demand for burning No. 6 oil by increasing the energy efficiency of campus buildings and systems; reducing energy use by the Dartmouth community; and investigating the potential for alternative energy sources. For more information on energy use and GHG emissions at Dartmouth, see the Dartmouth College Energy Usage Report- 2008.
The Dartmouth College Trustees voted to invest $12.5 million in energy efficiency upgrades over the next seven years to help meet our 2015 GHG emissions goal. Dartmouth has been using efficient co-generation to produce heat and electricity since 1904 and already requires that new buildings are constructed with tight envelopes that are super-insulated and use innovative energy-saving technologies. In the years ahead we will improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, investigate alternative energy options, and promote energy conservation on campus. Dartmouth will not rely on purchasing carbon offsets through a third party to reach these GHG targets but will instead focus on cutting emissions generated directly on campus. For more details on the opportunities for decreasing energy use and associated GHG emissions from campus buildings, see the report from the College Energy Engineer, Highlights of the Dartmouth College Strategic Energy Plan. For suggestions on what you can do to reduce your own energy use click here.
