Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.19
Liaison John Pumilio
Submission Date Aug. 11, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Colgate University
IN-27: Innovation D

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 John Pumilio
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Geothermal Energy System

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

In 2016, Colgate installed a geothermal energy heat exchange system for one of our campus buildings, Chapel House.

Chapel House, a place of retreat nestled in the woods of Colgate University, welcomes students, faculty, staff, and visitors from all parts of the world and all religious traditions or none. Chapel House provides a home for quiet reflection, religious and spiritual discovery, and the exploration of nature. The house is a place of individual contemplation as well as a place of interreligious understanding for small groups.

Since construction in 1958, Chapel House has been dependent upon nearly 8,000 gallons of fuel oil #2 per year for heating. This has been expensive and polluting, running at odds with the mission of this sanctuary on campus. The installation of the geothermal energy system, currently under construction, will save over $28,000 annually and eliminate around 50 tons of CO2 emissions per year.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Air & Climate
Buildings
Energy

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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