Environmental Sustainability Baseline Assessment (Spring 2010)

The Environmental Sustainability Baseline Assessment (ESBA), initiated by the College's Environmental Model Committee, was completed in 2009. The consulting firm, Woodard & Curran, was hired in 2008 by the College to undertake this comprehensive assessment to gather quantitative and qualitative data on current environmental impacts by examining campus practices and programs. The ESBA is intended to identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings. Read more about it.

Composting on Campus (2007-present)

With one big grind," institutional composting began at Connecticut College on November 17, 2007, with a demonstration and opening celebration of two "Earth Tubs," commercial-sized enclosed and insulated composting vessels that feature power mixing and aeration. Since then, the Earth Tubs now receive more than 200 lbs/day of food remains from the dining halls on campus and have the potential to reduce the College's food waste by up to 35,000 pounds a year.

The compost units were the result of a student initiative to reduce campus food waste from the dining halls. The concept was developed and entered into a nationwide competition, the Ecomagination Challenge, a contest sponsored by GE and mtvU that challenged college students to develop new, creative ways to green their campuses. More than 100 colleges and universities submitted proposals, including Harvard University, New York University, Northwestern University and Stanford University. Connecticut College finished in the top 10.

An alumnus, inspired by the students' motivation, generously donated $25,000, the funds necessary to purchase the two Earth Tubs, and make composting at Connecticut College a reality.

President's Climate Commitment (January 2007 to present)

College and university efforts are underway to forestall global warming contributions from campuses. In January, 2007, President Higdon became a Charter Signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Read the news release.

This nationwide effort for campuses to become more sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions recognizes the role that America's higher education institutions can, and should, play in decreasing contribution to global warming. The list of nearly 600 ACUPCC signatories continues to grow.

Wind Feasibility Study (Fall 2007)

In an effort to decrease the College's energy purchases, a wind feasibility study was initiated by the Environmental Model Committee to determine if an on-campus, 100 kW wind turbine would be a practical means of generating electricity. Global Energy Concepts (GEC) of Seattle, Washington was hired by the College during the Fall 2006 semester to undertake a wind feasibility study. From the data collected, it was determined that while the campus experiences significant wind resources periodically, overall the site is at the minimum range for a 100 kW wind turbine to be economically feasible.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) (2002-present):

RECs are a market commodity created when renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro, methane) is substituted for traditional energy from non-renewable sources such as oil, gas, coal and nuclear power.

Purchasing RECs helps to support renewable energy sources and helps to displace non-renewable energy sources from the national electric grid.

Connecticut College has been offsetting its electricity purchase with renewable energy certificates (RECs) since 2002. We reached our goal to offset 100% of our electricity purchase in 2006-07 with the purchase of 100% wind RECs. The College was recognized for this significant offset with a U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership Program Award.

Read more about the College's continued commitment to RECs at the Green Living site.

Park Solar Aray (1999)

When Park residence hall was renovated in 1999, a 10 kW array of solar panels was installed on the roof. The electricity generated by these solar panels is used to offset the power required by a boiler plant that was installed that same year. Savings from the combined reduction of having a new smaller, more efficient boiler plant and from the solar array amounts to 90,769 kWh per year. The amount saved is approximately what one dorm would use in an academic year.