Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.36
Liaison Shane Stennes
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
PAE-24: Sustainability Policy Advocacy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Shane Stennes
Director of Sustainability
University Services
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Has the institution advocated for federal, state, and/or local public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability?:
Yes

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A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability, including the issues, bills, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
Public policy advocacy is conducted by the University's Office of Government and Community Relations. Examples of advocacy include: -Supporting efforts to exempt Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) construction from sales tax. CCLRT will run through the heart of campus and will provide a more sustainable alternative to single vehicle travel to and from campus. The tax exemption was passed into law (MN Statute 297A.71 Subd. 40) and is estimated to save the project $13 million. -Successfully lobbying the state for resources to support the farm to school program, increasing the availability of locally grown food in K-12 schools. -Advocating for the state's Renewable Development Fund to support renewable energy research and development. In addition to advocacy by Government and Community Relations, individual University faculty have also informed development of policy by government agencies at the national, state, and local levels to advance sustainability. Smart grid, water quality, agriculture, climate change, and renewable energy are examples of areas of involvement.

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The website URL where information about the institution’s advocacy efforts are available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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