| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.58 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Thompson Rivers University
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
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 following are main points regarding TRU's policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:
• Anti-Idling signs around campus asking motorists to turn off their vehicles when not driving
• Installation of eight electric car charging stations on campus (free of charge)
• Promoting bike riding through: events participation (Kamloops Bike To Work Week; Multiple Sclerosis Kamloops River Ride); improved infrastructure: new bike shelter and bike repair stand (maintenance tools and air pump)
• Raising parking rates in 2012, which had three benefits: reducing air emissions (since it resulted in fewer drivers on campus); reduced parking congestion (for the same reason); and, from the increased revenue from raising rates, the creation of the popular Sustainability Grant Fund, which gives out $100,00 annually to successful student or staff proponents with projects that “advance sustainability at TRU”
• Enhanced car-pooling program
• New free-moped parking initiative underway, which will be in place by December 2014
• TRU’s ProPass, a permanent photo ID employee bus pass purchased through payroll deduction.
• TRU Student Union Ride Share program: http://trusu.cfs-services.ca/en/ride-share/rides/all
• TRU Student Union free unlimited use bus pass program - UPASS: http://trusu.ca/services/upass/
• Encouraging walking: http://www.tru.ca/sustain/initiatives/transportation.html#Walking
• Free electric bike rental for one week to any TRU student or staff member
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:
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | --- |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | --- |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | --- |
| Particulate matter (PM) | --- |
| Ozone (O3) | --- |
| Lead (Pb) | --- |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | --- |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | --- |
| 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:
TRU has reduced natural gas usage for heating buildings by 15% through energy conservation initiatives over the past 3 years. The reductions in natural gas use contributes to significant reductions in air emissions.
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.