Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 1, 2010 : Main Hall 004, 11:10am – 1:00pm
Members Present: Mike Panisko, Cherie Peacock, Robin Saha, Patrick Rhea, Aleta Jokisch, Jennifer Hill-Hart, Jeff Renz, Brian Kerns
Other’s Present: Hugh Jesse, Director, Facilities Services, Trena ____, Laura ______
Old Business
The previous meeting minutes were approved.
New Business
The agenda was reviewed.
1.
Biomass Plant – (Hugh Jesse):
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$16M estimated cost (financed thru bonds, upfront)
Supplying steam for 60-70% of campus load
2 to 3 truck loads per day (45-50 tons) (10%-65% moisture content in the woody biomass)
Providing 34,000 # of steam/hr
Primarily to reduce carbon footprint
Project costs is affected by natural gas market (currently very low prices)[$6.70/mmbtu]
Preparing a feasibility study
Using Nextera’s system
 5 years old
 Can target the size of the market (UM)
 Equipment burns as cleanly as natural gas
Process >> 1-wood supply>add heat>gasifies>combusts>burns
Will meet all state regulations/permits
By-products
 NOx, SOxides, water vapor
Will be going through the state/governmental permitting process
Currently working on detailed cost components
Will present status report to Board of Regents in November (actually 11.18.2010)
Performance contract – guarantees performance
Location – east of heating plant in parking lot, plus storage for 3 days worth of biomass, 45’ long trucks to use
campus drive
Current wood supply costs - $38-40/ton
Goal of carbon neutral – source of biomass is important – waste slash vs. whole trees
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Comments by member about value of constant monitoring versus design of emissions. How are emissions measured
currently?
Natural gas is well-known product and wood supply quality isn’t.
Type of wood supplies – ‘non-merchantable (3”-6” in diameter)
Will be contracted out to avoid dealing with forest and labor problems.
2.
Student Carpooling project (Trena/Laura):
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See attachment #1
Carpooling campaign for the month of November (excluding holidays)
3 x 3 x 3 (rideshare 3 days per week with 3 people for 3 months)
How to get message out?
Will come back to committee to report results/findings
The SCC approved to fund prizes, posters, and event materials for the campaign up to $200
3.
Social Marketing Campaign (Cherie):
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Dorm competition will end November 9th - Announce winner on the 10th
Green Griz Football game – collected 3x the recycling vs normal; needed more helpers after game; those
attending the game were in the habit of separating; rough stats = 507# Al, 613# cardboard, 89# plastic #1, 88# of
plastic #2, 15# of plastic bags.
Videos shown at game = short but effective – haven’t heard much feedback.
Jen developing a manual for future Green Griz games.
4.
Campus Sustainability Report Card (Cherie):
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See attachment #1
Their methodology changed though UM’s overall grade remained the same. There were some mistakes in the
report survey. This survey takes a lot of time to fill out and the results are minimally useful. Have not been able
to compare year to year as methodology keeps changing. Cherie would like to discuss not participating in the
report card in the future, instead put effort into other measuring devices like AASHE’s STARS.
5.
RELF Committee (Robin):
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Sonny Kless’s family fine with renaming committee.
RELF committee in process of approving by-laws changes.
Questions – hold a formal event? Invite the family?
Robin will contact UM’s Media Relations for recommended path of action with respect to the families of
the others who died in the plane crash.
On RELF items – extending deadlines a week longer – tough learning curve for students
Matt Hodges – bldg managers project developments – meeting, with students
Last semester’s projects -> realtime metering, contract with Residence Life, building energy monitoring
See handout, attachment #3
6.
GHG inventory (Cherie/Jen):
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Progress ongoing; due January 15, 2011
7.
Round robin updates
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Green certificates – no discussion
Green Purchasing – no discussion
Paper – no discussion
Greening IT – Mike to contact Tom Gallagher to speak to committee
Glass Recycling (Brian Kerns)
On-campus Recycling (Jen & Patrick)
Transportation footprint (Robin)
Carbon offsetting – no discussion
8. TED.COM video
 Mike showed a talk on TED.COM
NEXT SCC MEETING: December 6, 2010 at 11:10am – 1pm Main Hall 004