| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.92 |
| Liaison | Keisha Payson |
| Submission Date | Feb. 25, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bowdoin College
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Keisha
Payson Sustainability Director Facilities Mgmt |
Does the institution have policies and/or guidelines in place to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources?:
A brief description of the policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:
The college has implemented a 'No Idling' policy on campus. Employees using Bowdoin gasoline or diesel powered vehicles and light trucks should turn them off if idling more than 30 seconds. Larger diesel vehicles operating under heavy load should be allowed to idle for 3 minutes to cool down. Finally, vehicles should not be left running while unattended. Visitors to campus, including buses and contractor/vendor vehicles are subject to this policy. 'No Idling' signs are placed strategically around campus. Additionally, Bowdoin is transitioning to electric battery powered tools for landscaping. With electric battery powered blowers and string trimmers already in use, Bowdoin hopes to add electric battery powered mowers in the near future.
Has the institution completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary sources on campus?:
A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:
A report of criteria pollutants is submitted annually and the HAP emissions are submitted every three years (last year was a HAP reporting year). The emission factors are based on the current facility air emission license which uses either EPA's AP-42 (Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors) or any DEP Regulations or Guidances that take precedence over AP-42.
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 9.55 Tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 1.77 Tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 7.05 Tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 6.63 Tons |
| Ozone (O3) | 0.01 Tons |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.01 Tons |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | 0 Tons |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | 0.01 Tons |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s initiatives to minimize air pollutant emissions from stationary sources, including efforts made during the previous three years:
The primary initiative that has greatly reduced emissions has been switching to natural gas which burns much cleaner than oil. Bowdoin also maintains its equipment to operate at optimal efficiency to minimize fuel thus reducing emissions. At the Heating Plant, an on-going project to replace the older units with new high efficiency boilers has significantly reduced emissions and fuel use, and increased energy efficiency. Replacing steam lines also helps to reduce heat loss.
The website URL where information about the institution’s outdoor air quality policies, guidelines or inventory is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.