Colby College Reduces GHG Emissions, Declares Carbon Neutrality

Colby College in Waterville, ME has achieved what only a handful of other higher education institutions have done so far: It has met its goal in the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and declared itself climate neutral. That means—essentially, with some caveats—that the college has zero greenhouse-gas emissions. The college is the largest institution to reach that goal to date. Climate neutrality was achieved through several initiatives including a switch to 100-percent renewable electricity, use of sustainably harvested wood biomass as its primary fuel for heat and hot water, increasing energy efficiency, lowering temperatures in buildings, and waste management initiatives.  Learn more.

EIA Launches Full Release of Annual Energy Outlook 2013

On April 15, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) began the full release of Annual Energy Outlook 2013 (AEO2013) expanding on the AEO2013 Reference case highlights that were issued in December 2012. This release includes a Legislation and Regulations section that discusses evolving legislative and regulatory issues, a Market Trends section that highlights and summarizes selected aspects of the projections for energy markets, and a comparison of AEO2013 with projections from other organizations. The April 15 release will be followed by additional Issues in Focus articles on the dates indicated here:

• Oil price and production trends in AEO2013 (release on April 17, 2013)
• U.S. reliance on imported liquid fuels in alternative scenarios (release on April 17, 2013)
• Competition between coal and natural gas in the electric power sector (release on April 23, 2013)
• Nuclear power in AEO2013 (release on April 25, 2013)
• No Sunset and Extended Policies cases (release on April 30, 2013)
• Impact of natural gas liquids growth (release on May 2, 2013)

A complete version of Annual Energy Outlook 2013 with all components included is available on May 2, 2013.

Learn more.

Announcing the Second Annual Design-Build Student Competition; College Campus Residence Hall This Year's Focus

The Design-Build Institute of American (DBIA), through collaboration between the organization’s 14 regions and national headquarters, will put students to the test with a unique competition that will provide hands-on experience in what DBIA calls “design-build done right.” This year, teams are asked to submit qualifications for a residence hall on a college campus in the United States. The residence hall will also house a Student Residential Academic Program (SRAC) and dining hall. The residence hall will be used during the summer months for various conferences and athletic summer camps. Last year, 27 teams responded to the initial Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued in September, which focused on a hypothetical performing arts center on a college campus. The complete project scope and budget for this year's competition is being finalized and will be presented with the RFQ on September 23, 2013.  This year’s competition will take place in two phases, with an initial RFQ being issued to all registered teams on September 23. The three most qualified teams will be shortlisted. These teams will respond to the RFP with the winner selected during the Design-Build Conference and Expo being held Las Vegas, Nevada, November 4-6. More information is available at http://www.dbia.org/about/studentcompetition/.

Solar Array to Save Muskingum University on Utility Costs

Muskingum University has constructed a 75-kilowatt, 297 panel solar array atop its recreation center. The array is expected to save about $15,000 annually in electricity costs. The project was paid for through university capital improvements funds. Muskingum is looking at two or three more small projects—solar panels for the library and art gallery—that could lead to saving thousands of dollars in utility costs in the coming years. Learn more.

University of South Carolina Installs Solar Trash Compactors

The university is now receiving all of its purchased energy from renewable sources. The switch to renewables is part of a 2008 agreement made with Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company. Under the agreement, the university purchases all of its energy from OG&E, which in return has constructed the OU Spirit Wind Farm, a 10,000-acre development with a generating capacity of 101 megawatts. The university receives about 85 percent of the renewable energy certificates from the wind farm and can trade or sell them at its discretion. Learn more.

Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed at Moraine Valley Community College

MoraineValley Community College in Palos Hills, IL, is ready to aid the growing number of electric vehicle owners after installing two charging stations on campus last month. Anyone who has an electric vehicle can now charge it at newly installed stations. Users can park and hook up to the charger as long as they are registered, and can open an account and pay as little as $1 per hour to charge a vehicle. The company that deployed the charging systems is a leader in the research and development of advanced energy systems particularly alternative fuel, and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to do this work. It’s part of the Electric Vehicle Project, which is setting up thousands of chargers in 21 cities and metropolitan areas in nine states. Learn more.