| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.16 |
| Liaison | Mike Versteege |
| Submission Date | June 24, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Alberta
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Michael
Versteege Manager, Energy Management & Sustainable Operations Facilities & Operations |
Does the institution have policies and/or guidelines in place to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources on campus?:
A brief description of the policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:
VEHICLE MANAGEMENT AND DRIVER SAFETY POLICY
On July 11, 2014 the University of Alberta updated its Vehicle Management and Driver Safety policy to include a section that prohibits idling when using one of the institution's fleet vehicles. While there is no formal penalty for idling, the presence of an anti-idling section in the policy enhances the internalization of the values behind idling reduction within the campus community.
For Health and Safety reasons pertaining to indoor air quality, idling is prohibited near identified fresh air intakes of campus buildings, but a policy prohibiting idling by commuter vehicles has not been adopted to date.
CARE FOR OUR AIR SIGNAGE
UAlberta also has permanent "Care for Our Air" signage installed across campus reminding drivers to limit their vehicle idling. There are also Care for Our Air reminder stickers in each of the fleet vehicles.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INITIATIVES
UAlberta Transportation Services is trying out some new technology to help with idling reduction. The GPS vehicle locator system that was deployed in 79 fleet vehicles in 2016 was updated in 2020. The system assists the university in reducing travel time and idling. All vehicles used on campus are maintained for optimal efficiency, and multiple van and truck trips on campus have been eliminated by providing a shuttle van for trades groups to move around campus.
TRADES GROUP SATELLITE SHOPS
The trades group made a further improvement by creating two satellite shops in parts of North Campus where trades work is often required; the creation of these satellite shops allowed them to downsize by three fleet vehicles. In addition, the trades group has replaced some vehicles with smaller gas-powered gators, which consume less fuel than a van or truck would for the same vehicle usage.
Has the institution completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary campus sources or else verified that no such emissions are produced?:
Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
| Weight of Emissions | |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 258.30 Metric tons |
| Sulfur oxides (SOx) | 1.37 Metric tons |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 193.40 Metric tons |
| Particulate matter (PM) | 0.55 Metric tons |
| Ozone (O3) | --- |
| Lead (Pb) | --- |
| Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) | --- |
| Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) | 0.80 Metric tons |
| Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations | 12.50 Metric tons |
A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:
NORTH CAMPUS
The university has completed an inventory of its significant air emissions produced by the district energy system for calendar year 2019 (which includes natural gas electricity generation). These emissions include Heating Plant boiler emissions and do not include the emissions from diesel generators and fork lift truck (these sources represent 0.2% of the total Heating Plant emissions, and are considered immaterial).
Emissions were determined using the 2019 Natural Gas Combustion Emissions Calculator, which is used to facilitate the calculation of air emissions from natural gas combustion for the natural gas industry and their customers to use in reporting to the Alberta Environment 2019 Alberta Emissions Inventory Report (AEIR). The Calculator is an updated version of the 2018 Calculator, by the Canadian Energy Partnership for Environmental Innovation (CEPEI). It is an equipment-based Excel® spreadsheet accompanied by two guidance documents (a User's Manual that assists in filling-out the information required and a Methodologies Manual that describes the calculations and emissions factors used).
The NOx emissions are actual measured emissions from the DES' continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS), rather than the estimate from the calculator.
The HCFC-22 emissions number provided is the estimated fugitive emissions from refrigerant loss, from the university's greenhouse gas inventory.
ALL OTHER SITES
An air emissions estimate was completed based on building area for all other campuses and sites within the STARS boundary. These estimates have been added to the North Campus figures above. North Campus accounts for approximately 85% of the university based on floor area.
OTHER NOTES
The university does not have data for:
- Ozone (not measured/not produced)
- Lead (not measured/not produced)
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBLE PARTIES:
Terry Nonay
Utility Services Manager
Utilities
Facilities & Operations
Jim Laverty
Manager
Transportation Services
Facilities & Operations
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBLE PARTIES:
Terry Nonay
Utility Services Manager
Utilities
Facilities & Operations
Jim Laverty
Manager
Transportation Services
Facilities & Operations
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.