Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.18
Liaison Ryan Todd
Submission Date May 9, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

California State University, Sacramento
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee, office, and/or officer that focuses on sustainability broadly and covers the entire institution?:
Yes

A brief description of the activities and substantive accomplishments of the committee(s), office(s), and/or officer(s) during the previous three years:

The Department of Energy awarded the grant to SMUD in fall of 2009 to help fund the Smart Grid project. In May 2013, Sac State completed the four major components of the Smart Grid Grant project which included:
High Voltage Smart Electric Switches:
Four switches are in use to allow for automated rerouting of power on the campus owned 12,000 volt electric circuits.
Smart Electric Meters:
Installation of 58 smart electric meters was completed in campus buildings (including non-State buildings); these meters report to an Energy Information System software.
Energy Management and Control Systems (EMCS):
Replacement of the old and outdated EMCS occurred in 38 buildings with nearly 37,000
monitoring and control points. This allowed for central real time monitoring and control of environmental conditions within each of the buildings and the ability to control and minimize energy consumption.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:
Installation of 14 electric vehicle charging stations was completed on campus and is also
available for public use. There are four stations located in Parking Structure 1, seven located in Parking Structure 2, and three located in Parking Lot 1.

Sac State implemented two PV solar panel projects totaling a maximum capacity of 500 kW. They were both roof mounted PV systems located on the Library (272 kW) and The WELL (228 kW). Both projects were completed in March 2013 as Power Purchase Agreements. Sac State replaced 30 existing High Pressure Sodium lights in Yosemite Hall’s North Gym with 20 LED lamps with individual occupancy sensors that resulted in 73% energy savings, reduced maintenance cost due to longer lamp life, and better lighting quality. Sac State has an ongoing project to replace the existing High Pressure
Sodium pathway lights with Induction lamps, which has resulted in 43%
energy savings and reduced maintenance costs due to longer lamp life. Sac State has replaced the existing High Pressure Sodium cobra head street lighting fixtures with energy efficient LED street lights. The project has resulted in 54% energy savings, reduced maintenance costs, and better lighting quality and color. Beginning in Fall 2012, drought-tolerant plant materials installed throughout campus are more
sustainable—requiring less water and less pruning—thus generating less green waste. Currently Sac State aerates approximately 30 acres of campus lawn with research showing up to a 25% savings in water usage possible if done regularly. For the first time on November 14, 2012, Sac State was recognized by the national Arbor Day
Foundation as a Tree Campus USA. Sac State was awarded this designation for the 2nd year in a row in 2013. Effective January 27, 2014, all five active shuttles now use Atlas ReFuel’s compressed natural gas (CNG) biogas for fuel exclusively. Only the fuel from the non-fossil source of organics produced by Clean World’s anaerobic bio-digester delivered and processed into renewable natural gas is considered carbon negative, which means the University has made the choice to purchase and use gas that essentially destroys carbon. In July 2014, UTAPS retired three aging enforcement trucks (90’s Ford Ranger) due to age and condition. Rather than replace the trucks with more trucks, the enforcement team reviewed their requirements and determined that a truck was no longer required for every day operations as long as the team lead had a truck. UTAPS consulted with various other parking enforcement agencies and decided to go green with the replacements. UTAPS has procured three plug-in Toyota Prius vehicles and outfitted them with safety lights and identifying labels. The new vehicles are more visible, approachable and are significantly more sustainable.


Does the institution have at least one sustainability committee?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the committee(s) or a brief description of each committee's purview and activities:

Sac State's Sustainability Departments mission statement is as follows:
California State University, Sacramento seeks leadership and excellence in sustainable practices throughout the campus. We will integrate innovative technologies that conserve resources with sensitivity for the surrounding eco-system, and encourage environmental stewardship in our daily lives. Consistent with The CSU System and State of California conservation and environmental policies, we will pursue sustainability in the areas of Academics; Dining Services; Energy; Environmental Health & Safety; Landscape; Planning, New Construction, Renewal; Procurement; Recycle/Waste Management; Transportation; Water Conservation.


Members of each committee, including affiliations and role (e.g. staff, student, or faculty):

Angela Wiere, Assistant Director of Housing Planning & Project Development
Bob Anchor, Manager - Grounds & Landscaping
Bob Hitomi, Environmental Specialist
Hunter Merritt, US Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, Community Representative
Joey Martinez, Recycling Coordinator
John Guion, Director of Procurement & Contract Services
Kristina Cullen, Sustainability & Operations Analyst
Mike Christensen, Associate Vice President, Risk Management Services
Nathaniel Martin, Energy Conservation Coordinator
Paul Serafimidis, Director, Sustainability & Plant Operations
Steven Davis, Director, Dining Services
Jesse Catlin, College of Business Admin Faculty, Faculty Senate
Aryn Fields, Student Representative 1, Associated Students, Inc.
Rebecca McCann, Student Representative 2, Associated Students, Inc.
Kevin Murphy, Engineering Manager, Office of Water Programs
Ryan Todd, Sustainability Manager
Tony Lucas, Senior Director, University Transportation and Parking Services
Donovan Hillman, Campus Architect
Stephen Forseth, Assistant Director, Facilities Services, Union & The WELL


The website URL where information about the sustainability committee(s) is available:
Does the institution have at least one sustainability office that includes more than 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) employee?:
Yes

A brief description of each sustainability office:

The Sustainability Office is housed in the department of Facilities Management under the business unit umbrella of Administration & Business Affairs (ABA). The office has 7 FTE employees: Sustainability & Plant Operations Director, Sustainability Manager, Sustainability Analyst, Recycling Coordinator, Energy Conservation Coordinator, and 2 Recyclers.


Full-time equivalent (FTE) of people employed in the sustainability office(s):
7

The website URL where information about the sustainability office(s) is available:
Does the institution have at least one sustainability officer?:
Yes

Name and title of each sustainability officer:
Kristina Cullen, Sustainability Analyst

A brief description of each sustainability officer position:

Under the general direction of the Sustainability Manager, the Sustainability Analyst supports the development, advancement, and continuation of the sustainability program and provides technical support for Facilities Management.


The website URL where information about the sustainability officer(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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