The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Syracuse
University as being among the top 20 colleges and universities nationwide that are
leaders in purchasing green power. SU ranks 16th on the EPA's latest Top 20 College
& University Partner List and is recognized for its voluntary purchase of 22,800
megawatt-hours (MWh) of green power, which covers 20 percent of the University's
electricity needs.
EPA estimates that Syracuse's green power purchase has the equivalent
environmental impact of avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 3,000
passenger vehicles each year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to
power more than 2,100 average American homes annually.
Updated quarterly, the Top 20 College & University list represents the largest green
power purchasers among higher education institutions within the Green Power
Partnership. Green power is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind,
geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. Green power sources produce
electricity with an environmental profile superior to conventional power technologies
and produce no human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Purchases of green power
also help accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide.
"Our nation is shifting to a 'green culture,' with more and more Americans
understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility," says
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "EPA commends Syracuse University for
making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green
power."
EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages
organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts
associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has hundreds of
Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green
power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as
Fortune 500 companies, small- and medium-sized businesses; local, state and federal
governments; and colleges and universities.
