New York University announced today that, for the second consecutive year, it has been ranked No. 1 on U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPAs) Top 10 College & University List. This ranking further demonstrates NYUs commitment to protecting the environment and builds upon its existing partnership with the EPAs Green Power Partnership.
NYU purchased 132 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power this year, which is enough green power to meet 100% of the Universitys anticipated purchased electricity use. This year the University purchased renewable energy certificates (RECs) from FPL Energy, a leading national supplier of green power products. FPLs energy is supplied by 100% wind power.
We are honored to be recognized by the EPA for our continued efforts to green NYU, said Cecil Scheib, NYUs director of Energy and Sustainability for the Division of Facilities and Construction Management. As we begin to see success from our efforts to reduce our energy consumption, were pleased that the energy we do use is coming from renewable sources. We look forward to setting heightened goals for ourselves and sharing what we learn with our peers to help their efforts as well.
The purchase of wind energy is part of a campus-wide sustainability effort begun in fall 2006 at NYU called the Green Action Plan (GAP). Other key aspects of the plan include the construction of a cleaner, more efficient co-generation facility which will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants; a fund of up to $250,000 to support sustainability projects on campus; and a campus-wide campaign to reduce energy use.
EPA applauds our top college and university partners for protecting our environment by purchasing green power, said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. By voluntarily shifting to renewable energy, NYU is proving you dont need to wait for a signal in order to go green.
This purchase also qualifies New York University for EPAs Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPAs minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnerships minimum requirement organization-wide.
NYU was also ranked No. 21 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPAs) National Top 25 List of green power purchasers.
Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
According to the U.S. EPA, NYUs green power purchase of more than 132 million (kWh) is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 19,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 13,000 average American homes annually.
About EPAs Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has hundreds of Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.