Duquesne University

John F. Stolz, Ph.D., Director, Center for Environmental Research and Education
(412) 396-6333
[email protected]

The Climate Initiative at Duquesne
As a member of the Higher Education Climate Consortium, Duquesne University is committed to aligning its campus practices with the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative. The University has a longstanding history of environmental stewardship; an overview of its efforts is outlined below.

Spotlight

Duquesne University Receives $2M Alternative and Clean Energy Funding

Individual Conference Champion in Green Energy Use

2009 EPA Energy Star Award

Sustainability MBA Program (SMBA)

 

Educational Initiatives & Outreach

(CERE) provides a multidisciplinary education that prepares students for careers in current and emerging areas of environmental science, advancing the mission and vision of Duquesne University and the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. CERE is also the center for the Allegheny Region program of Three Rivers QUEST, as well as many other research initiatives.

Duquesne’s works to integrate sustainability concepts into the educational experience through sustainability courses and course components, and research and service learning opportunities.

Emissions Inventory
Duquesne University was the first school in Western PA to complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2006. Since then, Duquesne has completed an inventory biennially. Through the purchasing of Renewable Energy Credits and on-site energy generation, Duquesne has seen an average of 13% lower emissions from its baseline every year.

2012 emissions may change. All inventories are .

Energy: Efficiency, Conservation, and Alternative

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For over a decade, Duquesne University has generated the bulk of its own electricity with a clean-burning natural gas turbine located in the heart of campus. This cogeneration plant produces approximately 85% of the power used to light, heat and cool the University’s facilities with overall efficiency greater than 65%. Additionally, it is Pennsylvania’s first approved generation system for creating Alternative Energy Credits and the first academic institution in the state to receive the EPA’s 2009 Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award.

The University purchases the remainder of its energy needs from renewable sources—this combination of energy generation and renewable energy purchases allows Duquesne University’s campus to rely 100% on clean energy.  The EPA has recognized Duquesne University every year since 2007 as the Individual Conference Champion for purchasing more green power than any other school in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Duquesne also consistently qualifies in the top 30 largest green power users among higher education institutions within the EPA’s Green Power Partnership.

In 2008, a highly efficient cooling system that relies on ice—the first of its kind in a Pittsburgh academic institution—has bolstered the University’s efforts in responsible energy consumption.

Recycling and Waste Management
Students, staff and faculty are committed to recycling at Duquesne University. The school has increased its education efforts to equip its constituents to recycle properly. For instance, 100% of the fryer grease used in the dining halls is recycled into biodiesel fuel. In 2008, more than 3,000 pounds of comingled recycled products were collected from campus and sent to appropriate reprocessing facilities.

Buildings and Grounds
Duquesne University is committed to sustainable design concepts in all its new construction and major renovations. The University’s newest facility, the Power Center, has earned the LEED Silver rating. Currently, over 80% of cleaning products used on campus have high environmental quality.  In the residence halls, water conservation devices have reduced water consumption by approximately 20,000 gallons per year. Lush green areas filled with native plants were created to enhance the quality of life on campus.

Transportation
The University has made Zipcars available on campus and has substituted outgoing operational vehicles with all-electric trucks that do not emit carbon monoxide.

Research
Faculty and graduate students of the CERE and the SMBA program have utilized the MARKAL energy optimization software to assess energy use and supply options for Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Students from the SMBA program work each semester with local corporations and non-profit organizations to evaluate sustainability practices and recommend possibilities for improvement.  Clients have included Westinghouse Nuclear, Bayer, the Pittsburgh Zoo, Carnegie Museum and Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

Students

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