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This page was last updated as of January 5th, 2023
SMCCCD Announced as a Leader in Sustainable Electronics Procurement with a 2022 EPEAT Purchaser Award
SMCCCD Announced as a Leader in Sustainable Electronics Procurement with a 2022 EPEAT Purchaser Award
SMCCCD has been recognized as a 2022 EPEAT Purchaser Award winner, which celebrates leaders in sustainable electronics procurement. The award comes from the Global Electronics Council (GEC), the non-profit organization that manages the EPEAT ecolabel. EPEAT allows our District to efficiently address the lifecycle impacts of the electronics we purchase, including computers, displays, printers, copiers, network equipment, mobile phones, servers, photovoltaic modules, inverters, and televisions. EPEAT products are more energy-efficient, less toxic, longer-lasting, and easier to recycle than products that do not meet EPEAT criteria while addressing labor and human rights issues along the entire supply chain.
New Solar Feasibility Study Commissioned
New Solar Feasibility Study Commissioned
In 2020, SMCCCD retained Sage Energy Consulting, Inc. to evaluate the potential installation and lifetime performance of solar photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and microgids at Cañada College, CSM and Skyline College. In November of 2022, we asked Sage to update their analysis of the PV-only scenarios at the three sites reflecting current market conditions and incentives. The project goals are to lock-in electricity cost savings and to take meaningful steps toward decarbonization while also optimizing campus power system performance. We are reviewing the results of this report and in discussion with PCE regarding their Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) program for public buildings along the peninsula.
Campus Sustainability Month Events
Campus Sustainability Month Events
Campus Sustainability Month is an international celebration of sustainability in higher education, which takes place in October. Our team conducted tabling events across all three campuses featuring a “Zero Waste Toss,” sustainability scavenger hunt, and other outreach materials and information about sustainability at SMCCD.
We had high engagement with over 60 students participating in our tabling activities, and 28 student signups to our Districtwide Sustainability Committee. We continue to put out social media materials regarding our work and hope to recruit more student membership to the Districtwide Sustainability Committee!
Cañada Waste Audit
Cañada Waste Audit
The Sustainability Team maintains a goal of 95% waste diversion and a waste generation decrease of 25% by 2025, relative to 2018 levels. To this end, we installed two compost bins outside the Cañada College dining hall, the Grove along with additional waste sorting signage. We then benchmarked waste diversion and waste (mis)sorting practices by conducting a waste audit of four sets of three-stream bins in and outside the Grove with the help of Professor Susan Mahoney’s environmental science lab.
Our findings were significant: while the majority of waste disposed was organic (food waste material), most was found contaminating the landfill bins. Recycling had relatively less contamination, but a single liquid-filled container spilled to contaminate the majority of plastic in one of the bins. We are working to permanently install compost bins outside the Grove and will develop additional signage and outreach to increase awareness of proper waste sorting practices.
Demand Response Program
Demand Response Program
Demand response pays large energy consumers to conserve or shift their electricity usage in response to energy shortages, price increases, high demand, or grid emergencies. Demand response supports a more resilient, stable, and clean electric grid – instead of turning on additional power plants, PG&E pays commercial and industrial energy users to temporarily conserve energy or switch to backup power. The Sustainability team has been looking to reintroduce a Demand Response program to the District, after putting the project on pause through the pandemic. We hope to restart the Demand Response program with a set-schedule that would be easier to maintain and gain financial returns.
Energy Star Portfolio: Waste Tracking
Energy Star Portfolio: Waste Tracking
EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager has introduced a new feature to track “Waste and Materials” in addition to Energy and Water, in an effort to streamline sustainability data. 29 types of materials can be tracked (eg: Trash, Mixed Recycling, Paper, Glass, Metal, Compost, E-Waste, Lamps, Donations, Furniture, etc.). In addition, trash is tracked to its end point (landfill, incineration, converted from waste to energy, etc.)
The Sustainability team has now entered waste data from all three campuses into the District’s Energy Start Portfolio, giving us greater visibility into SMCCCD’s resource consumption data.
EV Charging Station Upgrades
EV Charging Station Upgrades
The District has been facing some system wide ChargePoint EV Charging station problems. Legacy Schneider Stations are also due for replacement since they can only operate on 3G, instead of the required 4G to receive Low Carbon Fuel Standards incentives.
The Sustainability team has been engaged with multiple vendors to gauge the best EV providers, including manufacturers: ChargePoint; Blink; Smappee; and third party vendors: Wesco, KYA, Zero Impact Solutions; PGE EV Schools & Parks. Core Electrical has visited SKY Lot L to provide the Design for replacing legacy Schneider Stations.
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