CLIMATE ACTION PLAN 2011 For: San Antonio College 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212. (210) 486-0000 Prepared by: Energy Systems Laboratory TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM 402 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South College Station, TX 77845-3581 (979) 845-9213 December 13, 2011
ii Copyright and Proprietary Information Notice: The information contained herein is considered ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL. Distribution is limited to Alamo Colleges. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, optical, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the Energy Systems Laboratory, Texas Engineering Experiment Station.
iii DISCLAIMER The materials provided herein are intended as a summary of work that has been completed as of the time of this report. It does not take the place of any code, statute, ordinance, resolution or other legal document. Neither the Energy Systems Laboratory of the Texas A&M University System, nor any of its employees or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process disclosed. The views and opinions of the authors do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, the State of Texas or any Agency thereof.
iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Energy Systems Laboratory greatly appreciates the cooperation and assistance provided by the Alamo Colleges and Facility Divisions for their assistance in collecting the information required to complete this sustainability report.
v TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER... iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...iv TABLE OF CONTENTS... v INTRODUCTION... 6 Page 1. COMMITMENT... 6 2. CAMPUS EMISSIONS... 7 3. MITIGATION STRATEGIES... 7 Energy Efficiency and Conservation... 7 Recycling and Waste Reduction... 9 Transportation... 9 Distance Learning... 9 4. EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH... 10 5. PARTNERSHIPS AND FUNDING... 10 6. TRACKING PROGRESS... 10
6 INTRODUCTION In August 2008, the Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges, Bruce H. Leslie Ph.D., signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), embarking the college towards becoming climate neutral. San Antonio College along with the other Alamo Colleges campuses recognize the responsibility to be a good steward of the environment for future generations and as an educational institute, the influence that they can have on the community. Historically the College has invested in numerous capital improvement projects that focused on energy efficiency/reduction and sustainability. In November 2005, Bexar County citizens approved a $450 million bond package to construct new Alamo College facilities and renovate existing buildings in order to accommodate student growth. Nearly four years later, 24 new buildings totaling approximately 1.3 million square feet, plus countless renovations, are the results of the bond issue. The money funded improvements at the district's four colleges, build a new northeast college and implemented information technology improvements. At that time, Alamo's enrollment had grown 41 percent from 38,000 credit students in fall 1998 to 52,000 in Spring 2005. In September 2009 enrollment surpassed 60,000 credit students. San Antonio College is one of five major campuses located in San Antonio, Texas with an annual enrollment of approximately 40,000 credit and non-credit students. As part of the requirements set forth by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), Texas Senate Bill 898 requires the college to have a 5% reduction in energy per year and associated emissions reductions. 1. Commitment San Antonio College completed its first ACUPCC Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory in 2009. Additionally, the Alamo Colleges has been working in partnership with the Energy Systems Laboratory, a Division of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, to identify and implement Continuous Commissioning processes throughout District owned facilities; this includes capital improvement upgrades to provide additional opportunities to reduce levels of energy use, thereby reducing emissions. San Antonio College s emissions inventory has identified opportunities for direct and indirect emissions reductions. Direct emissions will be addressed through sustainable building management and utilizing sustainable building practices for new construction. Policies are currently being developed for Renovation and New construction Bid specifications. Indirect emissions will be reduced through student and employee commuting solutions. Possible solutions include carpooling programs and public transportation to and from campus. On-line courses can also minimize the need to commute to campus.
7 2. Campus Emissions San Antonio College has completed its first Greenhouse Gas Reports in 2009. The College utilized the CA-CP Campus Carbon Calculator v6.4 to conduct the emissions inventory. The college will be conducting an updated Greenhouse Gas inventory. The next inventory report is due January 2012. Below are the results from the GHG Reports for 2009. 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Report Results: Gross Emissions Scope 1 2,190 metric tons of CO2e Gross Emissions Scope 2 9,708 metric tons of CO2e Gross Emissions Scope 3 12,941 metric tons of CO2e Total 24,839 This initial GHG emissions report is a significant accomplishment for San Antonio College. It sets a baseline for future GHG inventories and helps give a better understanding of the effects on the environment. It also identifies emission scopes and categories that San Antonio can focus on to reduce future carbon emissions. 3. Mitigation Strategies San Antonio College s strategies for GHG emissions reduction encompasses a broad generalized approach to ensure all opportunities are considered. With only one Greenhouse Gas report completed the college s mitigation implementation plan process is a broad, diverse and efficient approach to carbon emission reduction. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Utilities, electricity and gas, for the College are provided by the local municipal utility provider, City Public Service (CPS) Energy. CPS Energy generates its own electricity. Figure 1 shows the percentage of energy generation. San Antonio College uses electricity and natural gas to generate heating and cooling for the campus buildings. Natural gas is also used by the cafeteria and for laboratory experiments.
8 Figure 1: Energy generation, courtesy of CPS Energy The College will explore and engage in a variety of strategies to reduce GHG emissions resulting from purchased electricity. The following strategies will be considered to reduce and or eliminate emissions from these sources: Operating energy efficient facilities are important to San Antonio College. Six new buildings were constructed and the existing four buildings were renovated. LEED new construction requirements were implemented when economically feasible. LEED EBOM certification is in progress. All buildings are equipped with motion control sensors and controls for interior and exterior lighting. Existing Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS) have been upgraded with State of the art Direct Digital Controls (DDC). Water reduction fixtures, recycled water, and recycled products are being used. The College s District facilities Division uses the GHG reports, energy audits, and Continuous Commissioning Assessment reports as a guide to implementing several of the following energy efficient upgrades and conservation measures. Convert lighting from T-12 magnetic ballast to T-8 electronic ballast. Most offices are fitted with motion sensor to control classroom and office lights. Purchasing policies have been implemented, such as energy star appliances Electric powered campus vehicles are being purchased. Parking lots lighting operates on photo cell or integrated into the Energy Management Control System. Reclaimed water is used for landscape irrigation. The reclaimed water is provided from the San Antonio Water System (SAWS). Reclaimed water infrastructure is being expanded throughout the San Antonio area. Landscapers are planting native Texas plants or Xeriscape vegitation.
9 All urinals and ADA commodes have been retro-fit with automatic flush valves. Recycling and Waste Reduction San Antonio College has long understood the need to integrate recycling into its operations. Recycling presents an opportunity to strategically reduce the production of waste and help promote sustainable practices. Currently the recycling program at San Antonio College includes paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles. Our Recycling Team includes students, faculty, and staff members that pick up the recycle bins in their area. Transportation It is extremely challenging to impact the emissions generated by transportation. Faculty, staff, and students primarily commute to campus from both within Bexar County and from surrounding counties. This is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Public transportation is made available by the city of San Antonio bus system. City buses make frequent stops and provide bus stop locations that provide shelter from harsh weather conditions for the students and faculty that depend on this mode of transportation. The college s facility division has begun purchasing electric vehicles for on-campus travel. Gas power carts are no longer being purchased for facility personnel. Alternative fuel sources for landscape equipment are being evaluated. San Antonio College uses a variety of vehicles in its daily operations; including gas powered Gators used in maintenance, pickup trucks and vans used in maintenance and transportation. The College will explore and evaluate many different strategies to reduce GHG emissions resulting from the use of fleet vehicles. The following strategies have been implemented to eliminate emissions from these sources: Electric powered vehicles are used in Security and Maintenance Departments Upgrade/replace college vehicles with alternative fuel/hybrid/electric vehicles Turn off college vehicle when not in use, reduce idol time. Distance Learning Sometimes called distance education, online learning, or elearning, Distance Learning is an educational opportunity that offers students and instructors to interact through chat tools, email and discussion boards over the Internet depending on course assessments. On average, students may spend approximately 10 hours per week per course in preparation, participation, and homework time. The use of on-line course can impact and reduce the emissions generated by commuting.
10 4. Education and Community Outreach San Antonio College as part of its mission pledges to reduce and eventually eliminate its GHG emissions. The success of carbon neutrality is based on educating and engaging the surrounding community through outreach programs. This will integrate sustainability into its curriculum through its education and community outreach efforts. The college is committed to incorporating sustainability into all its educational curriculums, student services and programs designed for Faculty and staff as well as maintenance personnel. Many departments and Continuing education programs have begun incorporating sustainability into their curriculum and courses. As part of the Continuous Commissioning (a registered trademark of Texas A&M University) implementation processes, San Antonio HVAC staff members are trained in energy conservation measures and engineering technical support is provided. 5. Partnerships and Funding The Alamo Colleges has applied for funds from the State of Texas Energy Conservation Office as part of the LoanStar program and additional funding sources from various federal and public grants. The Energy Systems Laboratory has been contracted to evaluate the San Antonio College Campus for potential projects to develop alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power. The report generated will be used for grant applications. In addition to identifying alternative energy sources, the Energy Systems Laboratory through implementation the Continuous Commissioning processes will reduce campus energy consumption. The savings generated from these measures should be considered as a funding source for additional energy conservation projects identified and approved by facilities. 6. Tracking Progress The College will update its emissions inventory every other year and issue a report, as specified by the ACUPCC, summarizing the emissions trends of the school. This report will contain emissions data on all GHG sources. Comments and recommendations will be made on trends that are observed. Emissions data and progress towards achieving climate neutrality will be available on the ACUPCC reporting website. San Antonio College currently uses utility data provided by the local utility provider. The Energy System Laboratory uses this data to report and track energy use and emissions data. Utility statements for electricity, gas, and water are reviewed monthly, quarterly and annually to determine if progress is being made towards meeting our emissions reductions. At this point, San Antonio College does not have a means to accurately track or monitor commuting. Commuting emissions will be calculated by collecting enrollment data each year
11 and determining commuting distances for students and staff using zip code information to estimate average commuting distances. This information will be entered into the Clean Air Cool Planet carbon calculator to determine the total emissions for each year and to track progress towards the reduction of our emissions from commuting.