| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.42 |
| Liaison | Andrew D'Amico |
| Submission Date | Aug. 25, 2021 |
Princeton University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Karen
Jezierny Director of Public Affairs Public Affairs |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Local advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
On a local level, the university’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its efforts to partner directly with the Town in advancing common sense governance that achieves shared goals around sustainability.
One pertinent example was a recent successful effort by University leadership to work collaboratively with a town councilmember to add language to a new bike parking ordinance regarding campus bike parking standards. The University’s participation led to a shift toward a system-wide level of bike parking implementation with greater and more frequent reporting on compliance, ultimately leading to a more bike-friendly campus and town.
Link to article: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2021/04/02/eisgruber-princeton-officials-underscore-mutual-benefits-partnership-during
One pertinent example was a recent successful effort by University leadership to work collaboratively with a town councilmember to add language to a new bike parking ordinance regarding campus bike parking standards. The University’s participation led to a shift toward a system-wide level of bike parking implementation with greater and more frequent reporting on compliance, ultimately leading to a more bike-friendly campus and town.
Link to article: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2021/04/02/eisgruber-princeton-officials-underscore-mutual-benefits-partnership-during
Regional advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
As a nonprofit institution of higher education, Princeton University’s tax exempt status prevents it from lobbying on issues of general interest or concern; we focus on those legislative and regulatory actions that have a direct impact on the University’s operations and support faculty and others when they testify as experts. With regard to sustainability, there is a lot of interest at the state level in sustainable land use and development practices. Because the University is perceived within the state as a leader on these issues, from time to time, the expertise of faculty and staff is sought out to inform legislators. For example, in August 2019, at a joint hearing of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on recycling, the University’s Recycling and Solid Waste Manager provided testimony on replicable the steps the University is taking to audit the solid waste stream, assess procurement procedures to reduce the purchase of non-recyclable items, and expand resource recovery.
In October 2019, the University hosted officials from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to see in action the University’s efforts to incorporate renewable energy into new construction projects, undertake stream corridor restoration as part of a comprehensive effort to manage stormwater runoff, and recycle campus food waste into soil enhancements using an on-site biodigester. We provided a similar tour in August of that year for a state legislator.
In August 2021, we welcomed the NJDEP Commissioner and his staff to campus for a refined version of this tour that focused on the sustainability elements incorporated in the University’s Campus Plan, A Framework for Development through 2026 and beyond. The Commissioner was particularly interested in learning about the University’s extensive investment in ground source heat pumps to provide energy to campus and multi-layered development design that integrates renewable energy and stormwater management infrastructure with new building uses.
The university also provided comments on a 2021 regulatory proposal issued by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to advocate for a new solar energy program that incentivizes such multi-layered renewable energy projects.
Legislation was enacted during the current legislative session to limit the use of single use plastic straws and ban the use of plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers. Our dining services and retail dining outlets on campus had already instituted these requirements well in advance of the statutory deadlines. We shared examples and best practices with the Speaker of the General Assembly and staff as a means of helping other campuses expand their sustainable dining practices.
In 2021, a team of researchers at Princeton issued the Net-Zero America study report, a set of recommendations for how the U.S. can achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. Those researchers have been sought-after by policymakers at all levels of government. We have connected them with officials at the NJDEP and with the chairperson of the NJ Assembly Chair of Science, Innovation and Technology, and shared their research findings and tools with legislative leadership, environmental committee members and staff. More briefings with state policymakers are in the planning stages for early 2022.
We have also supported faculty participation in discussions with state agencies about “smart cities” initiatives, including resiliency planning, grid reinforcement, green design and alternative energy.
In October 2019, the University hosted officials from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to see in action the University’s efforts to incorporate renewable energy into new construction projects, undertake stream corridor restoration as part of a comprehensive effort to manage stormwater runoff, and recycle campus food waste into soil enhancements using an on-site biodigester. We provided a similar tour in August of that year for a state legislator.
In August 2021, we welcomed the NJDEP Commissioner and his staff to campus for a refined version of this tour that focused on the sustainability elements incorporated in the University’s Campus Plan, A Framework for Development through 2026 and beyond. The Commissioner was particularly interested in learning about the University’s extensive investment in ground source heat pumps to provide energy to campus and multi-layered development design that integrates renewable energy and stormwater management infrastructure with new building uses.
The university also provided comments on a 2021 regulatory proposal issued by the NJ Board of Public Utilities to advocate for a new solar energy program that incentivizes such multi-layered renewable energy projects.
Legislation was enacted during the current legislative session to limit the use of single use plastic straws and ban the use of plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers. Our dining services and retail dining outlets on campus had already instituted these requirements well in advance of the statutory deadlines. We shared examples and best practices with the Speaker of the General Assembly and staff as a means of helping other campuses expand their sustainable dining practices.
In 2021, a team of researchers at Princeton issued the Net-Zero America study report, a set of recommendations for how the U.S. can achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. Those researchers have been sought-after by policymakers at all levels of government. We have connected them with officials at the NJDEP and with the chairperson of the NJ Assembly Chair of Science, Innovation and Technology, and shared their research findings and tools with legislative leadership, environmental committee members and staff. More briefings with state policymakers are in the planning stages for early 2022.
We have also supported faculty participation in discussions with state agencies about “smart cities” initiatives, including resiliency planning, grid reinforcement, green design and alternative energy.
National advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
On July 8, 2020, Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber issued a statement in response to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) change in policy affecting international on F-1 visas, raising questions about whether these students would be permitted to pursue remote online programs from American universities offering in-person or hybrid instruction. President Eisgruber's statement affirmed the University's commitment to its international students and referenced an amicus brief that was filed in the lawsuit brought by Harvard and MIT against the Department of Homeland Security. The full statement can be found here: https://president.princeton.edu/blogs/statement-president-eisgruber-ice-policy-changes
Princeton University's Engineering and Campus Energy department cofounded the Microgrid Resources Coalition (http://www.microgridresources.com/about-microgrids97/what-is-a-microgrid) and are very active on the organization's board. It’s set up to engage with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, https://www.ferc.gov/) as well as regional and state regulators to promote fair access to the power grid and fair compensation for behind-the-meter power generators.
Princeton University manages the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), which is part of the national laboratory system funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Office of Science. The university advocates for long term funding for sustainable energy research, including fusion research. In addition, PPPL engages in a number of outreach efforts each year in an effort to inform the public about renewable energy issues and to encourage high school and college students to pursue educational and professional interests in energy research. These efforts include conferences designed to encourage young girls to pursue education and careers in science and sustainability, collaboration with K-12 teachers on how to improve teaching of science and sustainability, and exhibits at local, regional and national events designed to explain the principles of fusion and sustainable energy.
Princeton University's Engineering and Campus Energy department cofounded the Microgrid Resources Coalition (http://www.microgridresources.com/about-microgrids97/what-is-a-microgrid) and are very active on the organization's board. It’s set up to engage with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, https://www.ferc.gov/) as well as regional and state regulators to promote fair access to the power grid and fair compensation for behind-the-meter power generators.
Princeton University manages the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), which is part of the national laboratory system funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Office of Science. The university advocates for long term funding for sustainable energy research, including fusion research. In addition, PPPL engages in a number of outreach efforts each year in an effort to inform the public about renewable energy issues and to encourage high school and college students to pursue educational and professional interests in energy research. These efforts include conferences designed to encourage young girls to pursue education and careers in science and sustainability, collaboration with K-12 teachers on how to improve teaching of science and sustainability, and exhibits at local, regional and national events designed to explain the principles of fusion and sustainable energy.
International advocacy
No
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
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Optional Fields
As a not-for-profit educational institution organized under section 501(c)3 of the IRS tax code, the university is precluded from taking political positions. However, members of the Princeton University faculty and staff actively contribute to public policy debates and to the development of sound environmental policies and the implementation of effective sustainability initiatives on the state and federal levels.
None
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
As a not-for-profit educational institution organized under section 501(c)3 of the IRS tax code, the university is precluded from making political donations.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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