WHITE PAPER
ON
SUSTAINABILITY
FOR
MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS CONFERENCE
November 2012
Purpose: Provide Chief Financial Officers (CFO) an overview of sustainability plans and
programs within the system.
Background – Sustainability: At its most basic terms, sustain ability is providing for the
ecological, economic, and social needs of the present without compromising those of the future.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institutions have been engaged in a wide array of
sustainability programs and initiatives. The system published a Sustainability Report in 2010
highlighting some of these programs and initiatives:
http://www.finance.mnscu.edu/facilities/studies/docs/Sustainability_report2010.pdf
Since then, institutions have redoubled their efforts and the state of Minnesota has outlined key
focus areas through policy statements and executive orders.
Board Policy 5.17: Sustainability, Resources Conservation and Recovery, and Environmentally
Responsible Practices states: The Board of Trustees promotes sustainability, reduction of
waste, resources conservation and recovery, and environmentally responsible practices, including
energy conservation and pollution prevention, consistent with law and current executive orders.
http://www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/5-17.pdf
Executive Order 11-13: – Strengthening State Agency Environmental, Energy and
Transportation Sustainability http://mn.gov/governor/multimedia/pdf/EO-11-13.pdf, signed by
Governor Dayton in April 2011, outlines five goals or requirements for state agencies.
Goal 1 – Sustainability Plan
Requirements:
Each agency shall prepare a ‘Sustainability Plan’ to modify its practices for
- Resource conservation
- Vehicle use
- Purchase of goods and services
- Facility construction
- Operation and maintenance
The ‘Sustainability Plan’ is to be updated and annual progress report submitted
annually to Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team or IPPAT.
- Model plan has been developed by IPPAT.
Milestones Achieved: Campus sustainability efforts have been compiled in MnSCU
2010 Sustainability Report primarily in eleven identified areas - Buildings,
campus energy, water, food, waste, transportation, landscape, culture and process,
purchasing, carbon emission and other. The campuses self-evaluated and reported
about achievements in several categories in each of the eleven areas.
Recommendations for the future: The MnSCU 2010 Sustainability Report listed
campus sustainability efforts however no specific guidelines or quantifiable data
were reported. The principle change identified in Executive Order 11-13 is the
provision of specific and quantifiable goals or achievements in sustainability
efforts. In addition, Sustainability Plan required by Executive Order 11-13
specifies reporting in standard format. The format calls for sustainability goal
category, target area, agency specific tasks and agency metrics. The six goal
categories are Minimize solid waste, reduce energy usage, environmental
products, reduce petroleum, reduce air pollution and reduce energy usage in state
building. Each category has multiple target areas.
Attachment A provides a Sustainability Goal reference.
Goal 2 – Energy Reduction
Requirements:
1. Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions – To achieve building
energy performance standards as provided in Minnesota Statues 216.241,
subdivision 9 in all designs for new or substantially renovated state buildings by
reducing energy use from an average 2003 building by 70 percent by 2015.
2. Each state department in a leased facility must implement at least two initiatives
to reduce energy and water consumption through efficiency and conservation and
promotion of changes in employee practices.
3. Demonstrate leadership in energy efficiency and renewable energy – By Dec 31,
2012, at least 50% of state building operators and managers will have attended
Building Operator Certification (BOC) training offered through Midwest Energy
Efficiency Alliance to operate existing energy-consuming equipment in stateowned buildings in most efficient manner.
Milestones achieved: Campus energy management was one of the areas highlighted in
the MnSCU 2010 Sustainability Report. The types of fuel used for energy, and the
efficiency of heating/ cooling systems play a major role in campus sustainability.
By evaluating campus energy use, measures can be taken to reduce a large
percentage of energy use without major changes to buildings. Campus selfevaluation related to energy was in twelve categories: B3 Assessment System,
Conservation Plan, Energy Management, Lighting controls, Timers for
Temperature, LED Lighting, Vending Machine Sensors, Tracking,
Recommissioning, Energy Savings Contracts and Renewable Energy Sources.
Ideas for future implementation:
1. Establish outreach program to raise awareness and promote energy conservation
via educational programming. Have personal electronic devices energy
management plan. e.g. inform employees to shut down the computers, turn off
power strips at end of the day. Turn off printers, copiers, faxes and other
electronics when not in use in evenings, weekends and holidays.
2. Conduct energy audits to identify efficiency opportunities in existing buildings
including analysis of building controls, equipment efficiency etc.
3. Install occupancy sensor lighting in any building that currently do not have such
devices.
4. Explore utilization of energy management programs and strategies outline in 2012
Minnesota State Colleges And Universities 2012 CFO Conference White Paper –
Energy Management.
Goal 3 – Purchase of Environmentally Preferable Products:
Requirements:
1. Energy Efficient Office machines – By June 30, 2013, all multifunctional devices
(MFDs) on the state standards program must be ‘Energy Star’ labeled.
2. Preferred Waste Stream Products – By June 30, 2013, purchases of
remanufactured printer toner cartridges, from the state office supply vendor, must
increase at least five percent per year from the base of fiscal year 2009 usage.
3. Copier Paper – By June 30, 2013, at least 93 percent of all copier paper purchased
from the copier paper contract vendor must be of a minimum of 30 percent postconsumer recycled content paper and third party certified by one of the two
internationally recognized forest management certification systems.
Milestones achieved: Purchasing was identified as one of the focus areas in the MnSCU
2010 Sustainability Report. As a major purchaser, campuses have the opportunity
to be a leader in making careful decisions on what products to support. Campuses
can make a difference by purchasing products which are produced sustainably.
Campus self –evaluation of sustainable purchasing was in three categories:
Computer purchasing, cleaning product purchasing and office paper purchasing.
Ideas for future implementation:
1. Establish a policy and launch campus-wide campaign to turn-off computer
monitors and hard drives when not in use. Set the computer monitor to sleep after
ten minutes of inactivity. Screen savers do not save energy but sleep settings do.
2. Purchase PCs, monitors and all multi-functional devices rated ‘Energy Star’.
3. Encourage printing double sided and use of email instead of memos and faxes.
Adjust default printer setting to double sided printing.
4. For events and meetings use reusable cups, dishware, and utensils whenever
possible. For occasions when this is not possible, use recycled paper products
instead of plastic and Styrofoam materials.
5. Include ‘Energy-Star’ in system strategic sourcing options and in Campus Service
Cooperative offerings and initiatives.
Goal 4 – Minimize solid waste and pollution prevention:
Requirements:
1. Minimize solid waste and pollution prevention - Each agency must achieve 60%
reduction in amount of waste disposed by June 30, 2014.
2. Each agency must reduce the type and amount of toxic products by 10% over next
five years.
3. Reduce air pollution – notification to employee of high risk air pollution days.
4. Each agency must comply with solid waste management compliance.
Milestones achieved: Recycling and waste management are important for campus
sustainability because addressing these issues can reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. According to the EPA, the disposal of solid waste produces
greenhouse gas emissions in a number of ways. First, the anaerobic
decomposition of waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times
more potent than carbon dioxide. Second, the incineration of waste produces
carbon dioxide as a by-product. In addition, the transportation of waste to disposal
sites produces greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of the fuel used in
the equipment. Finally, the disposal of materials indicates they are potentially
replaced by new products; this production often requires the use of fossil fuels to
obtain raw materials and manufacture the items, causing additional emissions.
Campus self-evaluation in the MnSCU 2010 Sustainability Report was in twelve
categories: Waste Reduction, Waste Diversion, Waste Disposal, Construction and
Demolition Waste Diversion, Electronic Waste Recycling, Hazardous Waste
Management, Materials Exchange, Limited Printing, Materials Online, Chemical
Reuse Inventory, Move-in Waste Reduction and Move-out Waste Reduction.
Ideas for future implementation:
1. Provide recycling bins in all common areas where trash bins are present, such as
in kitchens, break rooms, conference rooms, mail rooms, and copy rooms. Ensure
recycling signs are clearly posted on or near recycling bins.
2. Keeping an updated inventory of the chemicals in your lab helps to reduce cost,
unnecessary chemical deliveries and the need to dispose of virgin product in the
event of a lab move, inspection, or emergency response incident. Virgin
chemicals that are no longer needed in one lab may be used by another lab on
campus.
3. Correct determination of hazardous waste streams allows for safe waste
consolidation with other compatible material. This may improve the potential to
use recycling options rather than treatment or incineration.
4. Encourage all employees to sign-up for ‘Enviroflash’ which is a free service
provided by MPCA and EPA delivering useful air quality information daily to
inbox of email.
5. The waste management goal of the state is to foster an integrated waste
management system. The following waste management practices are in order
of preference:
(a) Waste reduction and reuse;
(b) Waste recycling;
(c) Composting of source-separated compostable materials, including but
not limited to, yard waste and food waste;
(d) Resource recovery through mixed municipal solid waste composting or
incineration.
Goal 5 – Reduce Petroleum Fuels:
Requirements:
1. Reduce use of gasoline – By 2015, using 2005 as a baseline, State of Minnesota
must reduce the use of gasoline in on-road, state owned vehicles by 50 percent.
2. Reduce Petroleum-based Diesel fuel – By 2015, using 2005 as a baseline, the
State of Minnesota must reduce the use of petroleum based diesel fuel in on-road,
state owned vehicles by 25 percent.
3. Fleet composition – Ensure that when reasonable possible, the State of Minnesota
purchase vehicles capable of using cleaner fuels. All state employees operating
on-road vehicles use cleaner fuels.
4. Technology to reduce reliance on State Fleet – Increase the use of technology to
enhance access to and delivery of government information and services to the
public.
Milestones achieved: By providing and supporting alternative forms of transportation
(bicycling, rideshare, walking, etc.) the campus can encourage this reduction in
emissions. Campus self-evaluation was done in nineteen categories: Student
Commute, Employee Commute, Ride Share Program, Car Share Program, Public
Transportation, Special Parking, Bicycle Sharing, Facilities for Bicyclists, Bicycle
Plan, Condensed Work Week, Telecommuting, Carpool Matching, Cash-out of
Parking, Carpool Discount, Local Housing, Prohibiting Idling, Air Miles, Local
Offsets Programs and Campus Fleet.
Ideas for future implementation: Continue to explore options to reducce the use of
petroleum fuels in the areas above.
Executive Orders and Legislation: Additional executive orders and legislation support the
goals outlined in EO 11-13. The attachment provides a crosswalk of those elements.
Attachments:
Sustainability Goal Categories
Executive Order – Legislation Crosswalk
Submitted by Anita Mujumdar
Susaintainability Plan Goal Category Reference
Category
Description
Targeted Areas
Minimize_Solid_Waste
Minimize solid waste and prevent pollution*Prevent toxic pollution
*Solid waste management compliance
*Waste reduction, recycling and waste
generation
Reduce_Energy_Usage
Reduce energy usage in buildings and
demonstrate leadership in energy
efficiency
Enviornmental_Products
Increase the purchase and use of
*Energy efficient office machines
environmentally preferable products and *Preferred waste stream products:
services
remanufactured printer toner cartridges
*Recycled copier paper
Reduce_Petroleum_Fuels
Reduce dependence on petroleum-based *Fleet composition
fuels used in transportation
*Fueling practice
*Reduce gasoline use
*Reduce petroleum-based diesel fuel
*Renewable/ Next Gen fuel products
*Use of technology to reduce fleet use
Reduce_Air_Pollution
Advise staff of actions they can take to
*Encourage commuting alternatives
reduce air pollution on air alert days, and *Notify staff of air alerts
encourage alternatives to single
occupancy vehicle commuting.
*Energy efficiency and renewable energy
*Reduce energy consumption
Crosswalk of Sustainability Goals and Targets in Executive Orders for
MnSCU Campuses
Goal / Target
Title
Directs State
Agencies
EO 11 - 12
Providing for Job Creation
through Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Programs
for Minnesota’s Public
Buildings
To identify and make cost
effective energy
improvements in state
facilities.*
EO 11-13
Existing Statute
Strengthening State Agency
Environmental, Energy and
Transportation Sustainability
To implement new practices and
policies that save money and
reduce environmental impact of
state government operations.**
*Minn. Stat. 16C.144; 16B.32, subd. 3;
16B.321; and 16B.322 provide technical
and financial resources to state agencies
to implement energy-savings
improvements through Guaranteed
Energy Savings Contracts and State
Energy Improvement Financing
Program.
**Minn. Stat. 115A.48, subd. 3, directs
public agencies to implement purchasing
practices that can be used to positively
impact environment. Minn. Env Policy
Act, Minn. Stat. chapter 116D, directs
all departments of the state to promote
efforts that will prevent or eliminate
damage to the environment, and t
improve and coordinate state plans,
functions, programs and resources to
carry out this policy;
Purpose
To provide job creation
through energy efficiency and
renewable programs for
Minnesota’s Public buildings.
Agencies will create annual
sustainability plans that identify
specific, measurable goals.
Goals
In state owned buildings, cost
effective energy efficiency and
renewable energy strategies to
achieve more than 20%
reduction in energy usage
compared to the baseline.
Generating millions in budget
savings and creating new jobs.
To reduce GHG emissions by 80%
by 2050
Each agency must establish
site specific goals for reducing
energy usage through
implementation of cost
effective energy efficiency
improvements and renewable
energy installations.
Each agency shall prepare an
annual sustainability plan to
modify its practices regarding –
resource consumption, vehicle use,
purchase of goods and services,
facility construction, operation and
maintenance.
Target / Expected
Outcome
Goal - 1
Must report progress on the
goals annually in
Sustainability Plan (EO 1113).
Reducing waste disposal by 60%
Other similar measures.
State will reduce pollution, use less
energy, reduce the use of
petroleum fuels, save money and
create jobs.
Annual plan and report on progress
submitted by Sept. 15 each year.
Minn. Stat. 261B.241, subd. 9
(Sustainability Building 2030).
Goal / Target
Goal - 2
EO 11 - 12
EO 11-13
Each agency shall maintain in
the B3 Energy Benchmarking
website and current utility
consumption data for its
buildings.
For new and substantially
renovated state buildings reduce
energy usage by 70% from 2003 to
2015. Each agency in leased
facility must implement at least
two initiatives for reducing energy
and water consumption.
Goal - 3
Each agency shall identify all
major energy-consuming
building systems that will
reach the end of their useful
life within the next five years.
Goal - 4
Each agency shall identify and
implement best management
practices and renewable
energy improvements utilizing
Guaranteed Energy Savings
Contracts, State Energy
Improvement Financing
Program, etc.
Goal - 5
A state agency that prepares a
predesign for a major
renovation of a building must
perform an assessment of costeffectiveness of installing
renewable energy generation
equipment in conjunction with
the building renovation.
At least 50% of state building
managers must complete ‘Building
Operator Certification’. This is to
ensure that all the existing energy
consuming equipment in state
buildings is operated efficiently.
Increase the purchase and use of
environmentally preferable
products and services.
Energy efficient office machines By June 30, 2013 all MFDs must
be Energy Star labeled.
By June 2013, minimum 5%
increase in purchases of
remanufactured printer toner
cartridges.
By June 2013, at least 93% of all
copier paper must be 30% postconsumer recycled content paper.
Minimize solid waste and pollution
prevention - Each agency must
achieve 60% reduction in amount
of waste disposed by June 30,
2014.
Each agency must reduce the type
and amount of toxic products by
10% over next five years.
Reduce air pollution – notification
to employee of high risk air
pollution days.
Each agency must comply with
solid waste management
compliance.
Reduce the usage of gas in state
vehicles on-road by 50% and
reduce diesel fuel by 25%, using
2005 as base year.
Ensure that all on-road vehicles
purchased by state agencies use
cleaner fuels.
Existing Statute
Minn. Stat. 16B.322 State Energy
Improvement Financing program.
Minn. Statutes 115A.471 Public Entities:
Management of Solid Waste.
Minn. Statutes 16B.32, subd. 1a. Energy
Use. Onsite energy generation from
renewable sources.
Minn. Statute 16C.135, subd. 1