Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.43
Liaison Wesley Enterline
Submission Date Nov. 13, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Wesley Enterline
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Planning and Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the policies and/or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources:

The campus has implemented “no-mow zones” and additional large naturally landscaped beds with native prairie plants that effectively remove certain areas of campus from a regular mowing schedule. This includes landscaping around all sign and light poles on campus to avoid use of handheld string trimmers.

The campus is also contracted to use Zimride, an online ridesharing board, and have partnered with numerous other local campuses to establish a robust carpooling network.

Receiving docks at the University Center and campus dining halls have implemented a “no-idling” policy.

Stationary sources of emissions largely originate from the use of emergency generators since all steam and electricity is purchased from off-campus suppliers. Therefore, maintaining a consistent power supply to the campus is paramount to avoid starting these generators. To accomplish this more consistently, an upgrade to the primary campus electrical switchgear helped maintain the electrical supply. Additionally, many of the generators have been recently upgraded to newer, more efficient models.

To help avoid fugitive emissions of steam once on campus, upgrades or repairs to existing underground steam lines helps avoid steam loss, which leads to unnecessary additional steam generation at the co-generation plant that supplies the campus.


Has the institution completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary campus sources or else verified that no such emissions are produced?:
Yes

Weight of the following categories of air emissions from stationary sources::
Weight of Emissions
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 1.02 Tons
Sulfur oxides (SOx) 0.07 Tons
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.22 Tons
Particulate matter (PM) 0.07 Tons
Ozone (O3) 0 Tons
Lead (Pb) 0 Tons
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) 0.02 Tons
Ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) 0 Tons
Other standard categories of air emissions identified in permits and/or regulations 0 Tons

A brief description of the methodology(ies) the institution used to complete its air emissions inventory:

Campus heating plant boilers are held in permanent standby status, so the only time they consume any amount of fuel is during testing periods, which is negligible and not measured for emissions reporting for the air permit.

Boiler B20, formerly a vibrating stoker boiler, burned coal and was authorized to burn wood and paper pellets. The boiler no longer has the capability to burn solid fuels. The boiler is restricted to burning only natural gas.

Boiler B21, formerly a vibrating stoker boiler, burned coal and was authorized to burn wood and paper pellets. The boiler no longer has the capability to burn solid fuels. The boiler is restricted to burning only natural gas.

Boiler B22 is restricted to burning natural gas and distillate fuel oil. Construction permit 09-SSS-097 also authorized the boiler to use (burn) yellow grease, beef tallow and biodiesel, as alternative fuels. The continued operation of the boiler and the option to burn alternative fuels were considered a modification under the NSR program, but not a modification under the NSPS program. The alternative fuels are no longer burned by the boiler.

Boiler B26 is restricted to burning natural gas and distillate fuel oil. Construction permit 08-SSS-134 also authorized the use (burning) of yellow grease, beef tallow and biodiesel, as alternative fuels. The permittee has elected to discontinue the use of alternative fuels, to restrict the sulfur content of the distillate fuel oil burned, and to limit the boiler’s annual capacity factor to reduce NSPS monitoring and reporting requirements.

The reporting requirements for Operation Permit 128006120-F21 requires fuel consumption numbers to be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to generate a Quarterly Fuel Sampling Analysis Report. This report includes the following variables: Coal (tons/month), Ash (%), Sulfur (%), Heat (Btu/lb), SO2 (lbs/mmBtu), Fuel Oil (gallons), and Fuel Oil Sulfur (%).

Campus heat and hot water needs are served by LSP Power, a nearby cogeneration plant. Details about their overall emissions profile can be found on the WDNR Permit Tracking site, but institutional consumption makes up a very small percentage of their steam generation. The plant operates on 100% natural gas. https://dnr.wi.gov/cias/am/amexternal/AM_PermitTracking2.aspx?id=3000320

Emissions from standby generators was calculated based on specifications from the manufacturer and the average run time during a testing period, multiplied by the frequency by which these generators are tested. The generators are tested 2 times a month for 30 minutes per testing period. These emissions are also represented under Scope 1 of the greenhouse gas inventory. Emissions are calculated using the EPA Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions Factors. Hazardous Air Pollutants includes Total Organic Compounds for Diesel fuel use in generators.


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:

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.