Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 1, 2010 ::: UC 329, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Members Present: Brian Kerns, Lindsay Becker, Mike Panisko, Dan Corti, Cherie Peacock, Kelly Chadwick, Derek Kanwischer, Erica
Bloom, Whitney Hobbs, Mark LoParco, Robin Saha, Chris Comer, Kelly Chadwick, Patrick Rhea (for Emily May)
Other’s Present: VP Duringer, Christina Voyles, Liz Roosa Millar, Hugh Jesse, Jameel Chaudhry, Steve Sibert, Mark Shogren, Jeff
Renz, Jennifer Robohy, Sue Malek
Old Business:
The December 2009 and January 2010 minutes were approved.
Discussion - Climate Action Plan (CAP) – (Cherie):
CAP has been filed with ACUPPC; is currently awaiting a signature from President Dennison.
(CAP available on the website).
CAP Implementation (VP Duringer):
VP Duringer gave the SCC a hand out with 14 potential strategies to achieve carbon neutrality, many projects are
currently being proposed to UM, some being considered are:
Stimulus funded energy/deferred maintenance projects to begin soon; 3,721 metric tons CO2 reduction. (Cherie
mentioned “We won’t achieve this much reduction in the first round of projects as not all buildings are included.”
Proposal to BOR, asking to request $5 million from Senator Baucus, to fund an engineering study of converting
biomass to synthetic natural gas.
Approached by developers on the Bonner Mill site, putting in 60 mega-watt (MW) biomass fired plant for selling
energy. (Currently UM spends $3 million on natural gas, and $3 million on electricity per year). UM may buy
electricity from Bonner Mill (about 2 years from now).
Canadian company Nexterra (installing small steam and electrical operations to augment university steam plants
to move away from natural gas). Considering the possibility of attaching a 24,000 pound steam plant to current
UM steam plant, using biomass to fire the plant, which could reduce UM’s use of natural gas by 2/3. 12,548 MTe
CO2 reduction.
Have met with National Wind considering buying into a wind farm in Judith Highlands area (3-4 years out),
possibly purchased through NorthWestern Energy, however this project has many potential impediments and
stands to be more complicated to pursue. 16,500 MTe CO2 reduction.
UM to consider going to a four day work week (possible implementation this summer); 596 MTe CO2 reduction.
Local marketing firm to lead a campaign on behavior change at UM (costing $40,000), 2,574 MTe CO2 reduction.
DISCUSSION:
Behavioral changes: Robin suggested putting savings from going to a four day work week toward hiring additional staff
for the Office of Sustainability to lead a behavioral change campaign. Chris suggested looking at a campaign led by UM
departments before employing an outside marketing firm. VP Duringer felt hiring outside UM for such broad projects
can be more effective, but that the SCC would be a good voice to help with a behavior change campaign, and to bring
different groups together.
LEED building standards: VP Duringer mentioned the possibility of asking for funding to make existing buildings LEED
certified. Cherie brought up the pilot project at the Lommasson Center, and that current efficiency project savings would
be like a LEED Existing Building Operation Maintenance (EBOM) project.
4 day work week: The amount of possible savings from switching to a four day week was questioned, considering many
utilities on campus will need to stay on. VP Duringer felt the main impact would be lessening the carbon footprint, due
to less commuting. There was discussion on perceived fears of the 4 day week, VP Duringer mentioned Utah’s state jobs
moving to 4-day work week with initial hesitation, and now 80% have said they wouldn’t go back. Kelly suggested the
quarter system as more ideal for scheduling classes for a four day work week.
Biomass: VP Duringer stressed the need to consider long haul savings vs. the expense of an initial investment (i.e.:
considering the $3 million UM spends per year on natural gas, vs. purchasing equipment for steam for roughly $10
million coupled with future savings). VP Duringer mentioned the possibility of working with Smurfit Stone on alternative
energy. UM would go through the DEQ prior to getting up biomass systems.
WIND: Brian asked about separate wind farms or smaller wind project for UM, with a completion within 2-3 years, at a
smaller rate (30-45 megawatts). Hugh said it would require investment and UM’s help to finance the green tags, so it’s
currently on hold. VP Duringer explained the Judith Gap wind farm may sell to CA for more than UM could afford; were
UM to invest, we wouldn’t see a return until 10 – 15 years. With the Judith Gap farm valued at $65 million, UM’s
possible contribution of $400,000 – $500,000 per year wouldn’t provide much leverage.
Derek asked about sharing investments between UM and other state entities; VP Duringer feels partners will come
forward once projects become established. There is still consideration over which of the projects would be best for UM.
Green Cleaning Work Group (Mark):
Copies of the Draft “UM Green Cleaning Policy” written by the Green Cleaning Work Group (GCWG) were given to the
SCC for comment before the SCC endorses the policy and submits it to President Dennison (via VP Duringer).
Liz asked about various allowances and supervision of implementation of the policy. The GCWG suggested a technical
work group be formed under the Office of Sustainability, and the tech group would supervise implementation, decide on
exceptions, work with facilities managers on field evaluations forms, education, and whatever else is deemed necessary.
Facilities managers have already discussed the need to meet quarterly. Robin asked about the role of students in an
oversight body, Mark mentioned that because the GCWG was only charged with writing the policy, they didn’t feel they
should set up work groups, etc., but were in favor of student involvement in research, education and training. There was
discussion that the ASUM Sustainable Coordinator be involved.
ACTION ALL: Please send any comments on the policy to Mark (mark.loparco@mso.umt.edu) by next Monday,
February 8, 2010. ACTION MARK: To write the letter of endorsement on behalf of the SCC, to be reviewed by the SCC.
RELF Committee (Robin):
The RELF Group approved its bylaws in December; they are currently developing a call for proposals for projects. The
committee will focus on projects that will sustain themselves (sunset clause after six years). Erica will encourage
students to meet with her regarding project proposals. RELF membership is approved by the SCC, therefore Robin
requested Alex Zimmerman of Facilities Services as a replacement for Laura Howe. After voting, the motion was carried
to approve the appointment of Alex to the RELF Committee.
New Member Discussion (Mike/Cherie):
Six potential candidates attended the SCC meeting today, each introduced themselves. The SCC discussed all candidates
and voted to accept the following three as members (needed two faculty and 1 staff):
Steve Siebert, Professor of Forestry.
Jeff Renz, Professor of Law (was an environmental lawyer in Chicago).
Sue Malek, staff, Advising Office.
The SCC will contact the three not chosen, and extend involvement in another vein.
Budget Update (Mike/Cherie):
Haven’t spent much money this year so far; discussion ensued on using most of it for Earth Day, April 2010.
NEXT SCC MEETING: Monday, March 1, 2010 UC 329