‘10

Summer  

Purdue University – Emerging Green

A White Paper
[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is
typically a short summary of the contents of the
document.]

T eam 1 PA ST E W riters
G reg Rush, B randon G ard ner, M arc T rom betta, Aaro n C op eland
English 4 2 1 T echnical W riting
Pro fesso r Francis T o b ienne, Jr.
Table of Contents

Executive Summary ................................................................... 3

Wade Power Initiative ................................................................ 3

Overview ..................................................................................................................... 3
New Coal Boilers.......................................................................................................... 4
Opposition .................................................................................................................. 5
Wade Energy Saving Tips ............................................................................................. 5

Purdue’s Strategic Plan .............................................................. 6

Overview ..................................................................................................................... 6
Site Considerations...................................................................................................... 6
Water Resources .......................................................................................................... 7
Built Environment ........................................................................................................ 7
Materials Management................................................................................................. 8
Food Systems .............................................................................................................. 8
Academics and Research ............................................................................................. 9
Community Relationships ............................................................................................ 9

Big Ten. Measuring Up ............................................................... 9

Table 1 Comparison .................................................................................................. 11
Administration ....................................................................................................... 11
Climate Change and Energy.................................................................................... 11
Food and Recycling ................................................................................................ 12
Green Building ....................................................................................................... 13
Student Involvement .............................................................................................. 13
Transportation ....................................................................................................... 13
Endowment Transparency ...................................................................................... 14
Investment Priorities .............................................................................................. 14
Shareholder Engagement........................................................................................ 14
Table 2 Comparisons................................................................................................. 14

Annotated Bibliography ........................................................... 16

Appendix ............................................................................... 19
An interview with Robin Ridgway, 16 July 2010.......................................................... 19

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   2  

 Executive
Summary
Executive Summary

There are many reasons that a lot of the world has been pursuing this
ever-changing definition of going green. The most prevalent reason is to
preserve our planet and its function to mankind. With the definition of ‘green’
changing with advancements of new green technologies, it is difficult to
measure one’s efforts toward this goal. A culture can use ethnocentrism, using
one’s self for a measuring stick, to evaluate their efforts or a cultural could
compare their efforts to another cultural. In this white paper, we will explore
how Purdue University compares to others in the university culture in America.
We will give examples of Purdue’s efforts toward sustainability and also dive
into how Purdue plans to continue its efforts toward leading the way with green
standards. A contrast to how Purdue compares to other Big Ten schools, as well
as a brief history of how Purdue’s green report card grade has changed over the
last four years is also discussed.
 
 
 
101,113 tons of low-sulfur coal, and
Wade Power 11,647 tons of limestone in 2009,
Wade Power Initiative
Initiative while the gas-fired boiler used about
2,805,600 Therms of natural gas. All

Overview these fuels came out to a cost of

about $3.10/Mbtu. The coal is
Purdue University’s current
delivered by a truck and is dumped
power source is generated from Wade
onto a conveyor belt or bucket
Power Plant in West Lafayette. The
elevator system at the Wade Power
power plant has three boilers that are
Plant. The designed transport capacity
coal-fired and one boiler that is
is 100 ton/hr for each handling
gas/oil fired as a backup. The boilers
system. All of these boilers generate
that use Indiana coal used about
steam for two steam driven turbines,
66,937 tons of high-sulfur coal,
PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   3  
and one diesel engine to generate 90,104,767 ton-hr of cooling is
electricity to Purdue University while produced.
also heating and cooling the campus
in the winter and summer months.
New Coal Boilers
The power plant can generate 40 MW
Purdue’s current sustainability director
using three generators, 39 MW using
Robin Ridgway is currently working on
one turbine generator, 10MW with one
a project that involves the installation
other turbine generator, and 1.75 MW
of new clean coal burning boilers that
using a diesel generator as a backup.
contain fluidized beds and one more
natural gas-fired
boiler to replace one
of the 50 year old
boilers. This project is
to help reduce the
amount of impact
Purdue causes to the
environment. These
new boiler additions
will reduce the
amount of carbon
emissions from 43%
http://www.purdue.edu/utilityplant/plantoperation.htm
to 90%. The budget
Figure 1 Wade Power Plant Boiler Process Diagram
for the two new clean
Wade Power Plant also contains nine coal boilers comes out to about $60
centrifugal chillers, four turbine driven million, which is sourced from
chillers, and five electric driven student’s tuition and fees.
chillers for Purdue’s own refrigeration
system. Purdue has a constant Purdue University boilers
demand for chilled water all year for generate around 25,000 to 30,000
cooling process and environmental tons of ash from the burning of coal.
control systems. The heat rejection There are two kinds of waste that are
load for summer cooling comes out to produced from coal-fired boilers. The
around 26,900 ton-hr while a total of first type is called fly ash, and
comprises 80% of the ash captured,

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   4  

which is generally captured by
pollution control equipment in
chimneys of the power plant. This coal
waste is usually disposed of in
landfills. In recent years coal waste has
been used for other purposes and not
just disposed of. It can be used in
construction fill, dry wall, cement, and
mine reclamation and is also used in
agricultural processes such as helping
soil to hold water. This waste can also
be used to remove snow and ice on
roads when used with salt. The second
type of waste is bottom ash, and
comprises the remaining 20% of
captured material. This coal waste is a
granular byproduct of coal and is
usually retrieved from the bottom of
coal furnaces. Some other uses for
bottom ash are similar to the uses of
fly ash, but bottom ash is commonly
used as an element of asphalt.
Opposition
Many environmental organizations do
not like the idea of continuing to use
coal-fired boilers. The Sierra Club, a
grassroots environment organization
in the United States, feels that Purdue
should be using alternative energy
sources to power the campus of
Purdue University. They claim that
while these new boilers are cleaner
they still release toxic chemicals,
hazardous carcinogens, and heavy
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  5
metals into the environment. Purdue is
known for their research of alternative
energy sources, and should consider
using this research in geothermal,
wind, or solar energies to power its
campus. Purdue University says that it
is too invested in coal power that it
really isn’t financially feasible for them
to completely switch over to an
alternative energy source. It would
cost too much money to completely
replace the previous power system
with a new one without drastically
raising the cost of tuition for Purdue
University students. Purdue believes
that they are still doing what they can
to help the environment by using
clean coal boilers to reduce a good
amount of the emissions released out
into the environment.
Wade Energy Saving Tips
Purdue offers many suggestions to
save energy and money for those
exploring the Wade Utility Plant web
site. This is a reflection upon Purdue
to perform a small amount of
education on energy conservation to
the general public. One of their first
suggestions is to make sure doors and
windows are kept closed to reduce the
amount of energy lost to the
environment. It is important not to
change the thermostats often and
keep them at constant temperatures in
the winter and summer months. In the
winter it is recommended to leave the
thermostat at around 68 to 70
degrees Fahrenheit and 74 to 76
degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. If
the window blinds are closed in the
summer the room will stay cooler and
in the winter the window blinds should
be kept open to allow sunlight in to
warm the room. Lights should be shut
off if there is enough natural light to
do work and they should also be off if
the room or building is not being
used. One last thing to remember is to
conserve water, use it only when
needed and do not leave it running
when it is not being used. These small
things can greatly reduce the amount
of energy used each year.
Purdue’s
Purdue’s Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan
Overview
The Purdue University
Sustainability Strategic Plan was
developed in January of 2010 and
presented on Earth Day of the same
year. It highlights future plans and
ideas the university has determined it
needs in order to ‘go green.’ In the
plan, eight sustainability program
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  6
areas are enumerated that give brief
details about current university
policies as well as opportunities for
the university to improve its
environmental awareness. The latter,
the opportunities, are an integral part
of Purdue’s mission to remain a
recognized leader among its peer
universities and a proud example of
commitment to the world and its
environment. Seven of the areas are as
follows: Site Considerations, Water
Resources, Built Environment,
Materials Management, Food Systems,
Academics and Research, and
Community Relationships.
(Endowment and Development is
omitted) The following will highlight
the contributions likely to have the
greatest effect on the sustainability of
the university.
Site Considerations
Site Considerations reflects upon the
land owned by the university, how it is
used and occupied, and how it has
developed. This is a rather broad topic
and focuses mainly on the elements of
campus immediately visible to the
public. One large concern is
transportation on campus. According
to the sustainability plan, a
transportation demand management
study is currently underway studying
bicycle paths, bicycle use, and how to
integrate the system with the
Lafayette’s shared-use trail system.
The use of bicycles is an important
means of transportation and is
causing the demand for racks to lock
bicycles to increase. Protecting the
open space west of campus is also a
concern that was addressed, and was
made realizable by the suggestion to
increase the University’s density on
the currently developed footprint.
Transit to and from the university is
also a concern. Evident concerns
include mass transit incentives and
the expansion of alternative transit
systems. Also important to Purdue’s
somewhat spread out campus is the
identification of a “central loop” for
bus routes, which is currently
underway. Another mentioned project
suggests converting Purdue’s airport
runway light fixtures with LED
replacements that will consume
seventy-five percent less power than
the current fixtures and historically
require much less maintenance.
Reportedly, all of the funding may be
subsidized by the federal government.
Water Resources
Water resources refer mainly to the
water availability, water usage by
buildings, and the irrigation system
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  7
utilized by Purdue University. One of
the concerns relating to the irrigation
system is that approximately fifty
percent of the current irrigation
system would benefit from upgrades
to a “smart” irrigation system. Such a
system would use sensors and
environment data to maximize the
efficiency of the system by reducing
waste by means of enhancing soil-
water retainment. The strategic plan
also suggested developing minimum
flush and flowing guidelines for all
water-using fixtures in dormitories
and university buildings.
Built Environment
The built environment primarily
details all university buildings and
their energy use. It also briefly covers
the Wade Utility Plant, which sources
most of that energy. The utility plant
currently houses four generators and
a circulating fluidized bed boiler (a
clean coal boiler) that produces an
average of sixty percent of Purdue’s
electricity. One of the less efficient
boilers is currently being replaced with
a second fluidized bed boiler to make
the plant more environmentally
friendly. The plant also has plans to
become certified as a high-efficiency
system, similar to an Energy Star
rating. The Strategic Plan discusses
details about a Krannert student
group that conducted a business
analysis and found that if railroad ties
were used as an added fuel, a second
fuels feed system that costs $2 million
could pay itself off in two years,
suggesting a $1 million per year
savings after the initial two-year
period. The university is also currently
in the second year of retro-
commissioning of buildings aimed to
reduce energy usage, and more
recently water usage. Also of note,
power. That is approximately half of
the peak demand of the Purdue
campus. This wind turbine combined
with Wade’s power output capabilities
could provide power to 100% of
campus.
Materials Management
Materials management refers mainly
to the use and disposal of any waste
products. The recycling program
recently implemented by the university

many air-conditioning and heating is a primary concern of the document.

systems are being analyzed and Also mentioned is reviving a recycling

application of the Wade Utility Plant,
retuned for greater efficiency. A
using coal ash for compost
process is already in place for
enhancement and sludge stabilization
replacing residence halls’
as well as other uses. The storage and
showerheads and faucets for
substitutes that use thirty to seventy tracking of chemical waste is also a

percent less water. It is planned for recurring subject. Improving research

the future that most exterior lighting lab practices and chemical source
reduction and substitution are
projects as well as some interior
suggested to help this.
lighting projects will use lower energy
LEDs. Mann Hall, as well as other
university buildings, is also being Food Systems
evaluated for possible green roof
The food systems category covers the
installations similar to that atop
procurement, use, and waste of food
Schleman Hall. A number of wind
and food-related items used by the
turbines for the generation of
university. The primary concern is the
electricity have also been proposed compost generated by the university.
including one at the Animal Sciences It is proposed that a grinder costing
Research and Education Center that,
$50,000 would allow food preparation
according to data collected, could
waste to be diverted to the wastewater
provide ten to twenty megawatts of
treatment facility. It is also suggested
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  8
 
that the university collaborate with commitment. It is proposed that
other organizations with which it does Purdue follow Indiana University’s
business to reduce the waste of the example and fund several
products of these other organizations. Sustainability internships for students.
In addition, it suggested that the
Department of Sustainability at Purdue
Academics and Research
employ graduate students as research
Academics and research involves
assistants. A “household hazardous
both the students and the faculty of
waste” program, now defunct, could
Purdue University in contributing to
also be restarted, allowing community
the university’s environmental
members a safe place to dispose of
awareness. The document points to
potentially dangerous, hard-to-
introductory engineering courses and dispose-of items. This area is
the fact that these courses introduce important to Purdue. It is pointed out
sustainability and problem solving because of its role as an advisor to the
associated with sustainability to
state of Indiana through the
incoming engineers. It also points out
Cooperative Extension Services.
a need for classes that promote
sustainability awareness. Making it
 
easier for faculty to sponsor such
 
learning is also suggested. At the very
  Big Ten.
least, a formalized process for
keeping an accurate list of courses
Measuring Up
Big Ten. Measuring Up
was suggested that covers
sustainability at several levels so that
Overview
interested students may participate.
When considering the
contributions and efforts of a college
Community Relationships or university to sustainability, a
The community relationships portion measurable means in which to gauge
discusses Purdue’s outreach to the an institution is needed. A grading
surrounding community with a system to apply to educational
sustainability goal in mind. Currently institutions would be nice to have to
one student internship is availability see if they were meeting the needs of
with Purdue University in Sustainability the present without sacrificing the
that is a ten-hour per week ability of future generations to meet
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  9
 
their own needs. This grading system
could be utilized in measuring and
comparing college’s contributions to
sustainability. In 2005, such a grading
system was created by Rockefeller
Philanthropy Advisors whom started
the Sustainable Endowments Institute.
The Sustainable Endowments Institute
has created a web site that provides
users college sustainability report
cards. These report cards are created
by examining colleges and universities
as institutions through a sustainability
microscope. The College Sustainability
Report Card investigates these
institutions both in the United States
and Canada. The College
Sustainability Report Card also has
the highest participation rate (96%)
than any other ranking or rating site,
with 318 of 322 schools responding
(green card). This web site can be
used as a tool to help identify those
schools who are leaders in
sustainability, and those who are not.
It is also a great tool to identify those
areas that a college has excelled,
lacked, or improved in.
The report card grades in nine
different categories. These grades
were determined by assessing
performance across 43 indicators in
the following main categories.
Administration: examines
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  10
sustainability policies and
commitments by school
administrators and trustees. Climate
Change & Energy: looks at energy
efficiency, conservation, commitment
to emissions reductions, and use of
renewable energy on campus. Food &
Recycling: evaluates dining services
policies, including recycling and
composting programs. Green Building:
recognizes campus-wide green
building guidelines and green building
design for new and existing buildings.
Student Involvement: looks at student
participation in sustainability
initiatives and support for these
activities by school administrators.
Transportation: focuses on alternative
transportation for students, faculty,
and staff, as well as alternative fuel or
hybrid technology for campus fleets.
Endowment Transparency: addresses
accessibility to endowment investment
information and shareholder proxy
voting records. Investment Priorities:
considers prioritization of return on
investment, investment in renewable
energy funds, and investment in
community development loan funds.
Shareholder Engagement: looks at
shareholder proxy voting practices,
including opportunities for student,
faculty, and alumni participation.
Table 1 Comparison new organization. Northwestern
University indicated that they do not
Administration
have an Office of Campus
The College Sustainability Report
Sustainability. According to the report
Card was used to create a couple of card, there are some areas that
tables to examine how Purdue has indicated why Purdue obtained such a
performed against other Big Ten low grade. In the survey, Purdue
schools as well as other Indiana indicated that it does
not have a formal
purchasing survey
(green report). The
survey also indicated
that Purdue had not
signed the Talloires
Declaration, which is a
ten-point action plan
for incorporating
sustainability and
environmental literacy
in teaching, research,
operations and
outreach at colleges
and universities.
Another reason for a
low mark could be
college institutions. Table 1 compares because Purdue’s president had not
the grades of the Big Ten schools. As yet signed the American College and
shown, Purdue University and University Presidents Climate
Northwestern University both got the Commitment.
lowest grades (C) in the
Administration category (green
report). Purdue’s Office of Climate Change and Energy
Sustainability was created in 2009, In the area of Climate Change and
and employees three full-time Energy, Purdue also got average marks
staffers. Therefore, it is a relatively with a C in the Green Report Card.

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   11  

Purdue was in the same arena with University of Wisconsin has reduced
Northwestern University and the 73,000 tons of CO2 emissions since
University of Wisconsin for this April 2006 as the result of
mediocre grade. Purdue has a few conservation measures (53,000 tons)
areas that shined in the survey report and switching 28% of the heating
though. For instance, Purdue retro- plants fuel source from coal to natural
commissioned three buildings on gas (20,000 tons) (green report).
campus last year and are currently in
the process of retro-commissioning
Food and Recycling
three additional buildings. Purdue is
In the Food and Recycling category,
also currently reviewing their
Purdue received a grade of B. This is
programming code (sequences of
an average score with all Big Ten
operation) for HVAC systems in
schools being in the A to B range. The
sixteen buildings to analyze if
Food category is not specified in the
opportunities exist to improve system
survey, so specific information about
efficiencies. Utilizing an outside
it is not available. Having a tray-less
vendor to review the actual
day in the dining facilities is
performance of three additional
mentioned. In the recycling program
buildings to identify deficiencies in the
though, Purdue boasts that 100% of
current operation is something being
its landscaping is composted or
accomplished for future development.
mulched, 396 pounds of batteries
Purdue University is also adjusting
were recycled along with 1,361
HVAC system operation to correspond
computer monitors and 26,000
with actual occupancy periods through
fluorescent lamps. When comparing
equipment scheduling programs and
the Rate of Waste Diversion, Purdue
night setback/up algorithms. Some
ranks in the middle on average at 34%.
issues with the report indicate that
Michigan State reflected the lowest
Purdue University has not made a
rate at only 16% while Penn State and
commitment to reduce green house
Illinois University ranked the highest
gasses by any specific amount. Purdue
at 53% and 50% respectively (Big Ten
has conducted a study though to
24).
determine its carbon footprint, and
will utilize this in the future as an
initiative to create a green house gas
emission inventory. In comparison, the

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   12  

Green Building
In the category of Green Building,
Purdue received a grade of D, which
was the lowest of any listed Big Ten
school. According to the EPA;
buildings account for 68% of total
electricity consumption, 12% of total
water consumption, 38% of carbon
emissions, and 39% of total energy
consumption (Big Ten 7). Therefore,
having green buildings is an important
aspect of a school’s overall grade. A
building is considered green if it has
inherited that definition through
design, construction, or operation.
Purdue University does not actually
have any buildings that meet the
criteria to be considered LEED
(Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certified on its
campus. This finding is the largest
reason that Purdue received such a
low score. This score should improve
on the 2011 college green report card
because Purdue is currently under
construction on the Gatewood wing to
the Mechanical Engineering Building,
and it is registered to be LEED
certified. In comparison, the University
of Minnesota decided to create the
first LEED certified football stadium in
the country and Indiana University had
11 LEED building projects underway in
2009 (Big Ten 8).
Student Involvement
Student Involvement was a category
that Purdue performed fairly well in.
Purdue received a B in this category,
with the University of Iowa and the
University of Wisconsin getting a C
(green report). Purdue has several
student organizations that reflect a
large amount of student involvement.
Greenreportcard.com reported in its
published survey that Purdue
mentioned Boiler Green Initiative (BGI),
Net Impact, Purdue Air & Waste
Management Association (PAWMA),
Purdue Green Build, Purdue Energy
Club, and PUGWASH as student
organizations on campus.
Transportation
In the Transportation category,
received a grade of B, which was not
too bad. Purdue reported in the 2010
greenreportcard.com survey that they
have 178 vehicles in their fleet with 28
being hybrid, 9 being biodiesel, 2
being smart cars, and 114 being flex
fuel capable. Ohio State reported 996
vehicles in their fleet, which seems
extremely high compared to Purdue.
Of that inventory, 13 are hybrids, 12
are electric, and 124 are biodiesel.
Purdue offers free transportation
around campus to students and staff
utilizing City Bus. This service reduces

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   13  

the overall green house consumption
of those who would drive individually.
Endowment Transparency
In the category of Endowment
Transparency, greenreportcard.com
gave Purdue University a grade of A.
Although no specific information is
listed, the web site mentions that,
“With the exception of information
exempt from public open record law
by Indiana statute, a list of all
holdings and a list of votes cast on
proxy resolutions on a company-
specific level, including the number of
shares, are made available to the
public and sent to individuals per a
public record request.” In contrast, the
University of Iowa received an F
because the university makes neither a
list of endowment holdings nor its
shareholder voting record public.
Investment Priorities
An A was the grade that was given to
Purdue for the Investment Priorities
category. Purdue University aims to
optimize investment return and is
currently invested in renewable energy
funds. Some of Purdue’s Endowment
investment managers invest in clean
energy, alternative fuels, and
renewable energy funds. All the Big
Ten schools received an A or B in this
PURDUE
 UNIVERSITY
 –
 EMERGING
 GREEN
  14
category except for the University of
Illinois. Although the University of
Illinois foundation aims to optimize
investment return, it does not invest
in renewable energy funds.
Shareholder Engagement
In the Shareholder Engagement
category, the majority of the Big Ten
schools received D’s and F’s. The
University of Minnesota is the only
school that received an A in this
category. At the University of
Minnesota, the Social Concerns
Committee annually reviews and
recommends votes for shareholder
resolutions concerning social issues
for which the university holds stock.
Table 2 Comparisons
Table 2 shows Purdue’s green report
card from 2007 to 2010 (green
report). This table reflects several
things. The most obvious item that is
noticed is that there is information
that is missing. There are several
reasons for this. First of all, there is
currently more pressure for colleges
and universities to report in multiple
categories that may not have been
particularly established yet. As
colleges have evolved in the green
arena, the desire to have measurable
results has increased. It is also
possible that the development of
green initiatives was in its infancy, and
more time was needed to procure the
necessary data. Table 2 is also an
indicator of how Purdue has changed
through the years. As can be seen,
Purdue’s overall grade went from a C
in the first two years, to a B- in the
last two years of 2009 and 2010.
Purdue has also shown growth in the
categories of Administration, Food
and Recycling, Student Involvement,
Transportation, Shareholder
Engagement, and Endowment
Transparency (since 2008). Also, note
that the Climate Change and Energy
category grade has not changed in
four years. Unfortunately, this table
also reflects that Purdue University has
dropped from a C to a D in the Green
Building category. It would be
expected that once Purdue finishes up
its current studies and the
construction to the Mechanical
Engineering wing is complete,
Purdue’s score in this category should
improve and better support its overall
score.

2010 B- C C B D B B A A D
2009 B- C C B C C B A A D
Purdue University
2008 C C C B C -- C C A F
2007 C D C C D -- -- A A F
Table 2 Purdue’s 2007-2010 green report card

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   15  

 Annotated
Bibliography
Annotated Bibliography

Boren, Eric, and Brown, Graham, and Flores, Nicole, and Gondalia,
Rahul, and Haven, Celia, and King, Jillian, and McMullen-Laird,
Lydia. “ Big Ten Sustainabilty Report.” University of Illinios. Web 12
July, 2010
http://sustainability.illinois.edu/BigTenSustainabilityReport.pdf

This report documented the comparison of Big Ten conference schools. The
following categories were discussed: administration, infrastructure, energy use,
transportation, recycling, and food. The goal of this report was to ”highlight the
efforts that are already happening at each school while encouraging
collaboration and friendly competition to accelerate sustainability initiatives.” It
will be used to elaborate on how Purdue compares to the other Big Ten schools
in our paper.

Gateway building on its way to LEED certification; InsidePurdue 27

August 2009: 10. Print.

This article is about the new addition to the Mechanical Engineering Building at
Purdue becoming the first LEED certified building on campus. It mentions the
standards the building must meet and the steps it takes to become LEED
certified. This will be used in the writing of our white paper to show the
necessary steps Purdue University is taking to become "green." The Mechanical
Building will also provide us with a good example of Purdue's intentions for
"going green."

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   16  

Leedy, Aaron. Some 'fired-up' over PU coal power. WLFI. July 6,
2010. Web. May 11, 2010.
http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local/some-fired-up-overcoalpower

This describes the frustration of environmental organizations with Purdue

University's decision to replace coal-fired boilers with clean coal technology
boilers and a natural gas boiler. The Sierra Club Student Organizer thinks that
Purdue should use Geo-thermal, wind, and solar technology rather than the
clean coal technology boilers. The Vice President of Physical Facilities at Purdue
believes that Purdue should consider looking into these alternative energy
sources but right now they are invested in using coal as a source of power. This
article provides information that can be used for our white paper about
Purdue's plan to improve their heating and cooling systems even though
organizations don't think they are doing enough.

Purdue Sustainability Strategic Plan Report. Collaborative Project

Consulting.
25 January 2010.
 
This report documents the results of the Purdue Sustainability Strategic Plan
development process through January 2010. This report provides percentages
of headlines in the sustainability program areas as well as brief comparisons to
peer colleges and universities. The College Sustainability Report Card was used
as a basis for comparison. It also provides some Wade Utility Plant statistics.
The latter part of the document cites many opportunities for the future Purdue
may have for 'going green.'

Purdue University Utilities. Purdue University, 2009. Web. 6 July

2010.

The Purdue University Utilities website shows all the data recorded for Wade
Power Plant that services the building on Purdue's campus. It lists the daily
utility expenses, the power plants operations, safety, and ways to save energy.
This website provides us with the information needed to analyze Wade Power

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   17  

plant for our white paper. The data the site provides can be used to back up
any claims stated in our white paper.

Ridgway, Robin. Questionnaire via e-mail. 15 July 2010.

Robin Ridgway is the Director of Sustainability for Purdue University. Her

interview was very helpful in providing clear answers to some of the questions
we had about Purdue and how it is 'going green.' She has a great understanding
of the project to 'go green' as a whole and is in contact with many other project
leaders throughout the university. She was very helpful in pointing out the more
important topics and helping us narrow down our analysis.

“Sustainable Endowments Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts.”

College Sustainable Report Cards. Web 12 July, 2010.
<http://www.greenreportcard.org/>.

This web site gives tremendous value to the ability to not only compare
individual schools, but develop an understanding what colleges and universities
are doing as a whole. It allows a comparison chart to be made in which a user
can compare the “grades” each school got in several categories, but also in the
years from 2007 to 2010. This site will enable our group to discuss how
Purdue’s grades are comparing to the rest of the collegiate community, but also
what categories Purdue is improving or degrading in.

Sustainablility director ready to build partnerships, promote

stewardship; InsidePurdue 27 August 2009: 10. Print.

This article describes the partnerships Purdue's director of sustainability and

environmental stewardship (Robin Ridgway) is making to increase Purdue's
sustainability efforts. Purdue is adding a green roof at Schleman Hall, replacing
the old coal boilers with new clean coal boilers, and Qualified Energy Savings
projects in Brown Laboratory in Chemistry, Stewart Center, and in the expansion
of Mackey Arena all in the sustainability effort. The information found in this
article is almost the foundation of our white paper. The sustainability effort
Purdue is doing is the most important part in the writing of our white paper.

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   18  

"Wade Utility Plant: Boiler 5 Project." Net Impact @ Purdue. Web. 20
January 2009.

This is a project plan for a carbon neutral fuel source to be used at Purdue. The
report describes the process of the project and the financial budgets needed to
complete this task. Robin Ridgway is the person who is analyzing the system to
see if a biomass based alternative fuel can be used in one of the coal-fired
boilers. This website gives us a clearer view of the plan and goals of one of the
projects Purdue completed to help "go green."
 
 

Appendix
Appendix

An interview with Robin Ridgway, 16 July 2010.

Me: I know you are quite busy, so I will try to keep my questions brief and
cover only the most pertinent questions.
Robin: Okay. What do you have for me?
Me: First of all, what are some significant programs Purdue has started to
promote sustainability?
Robin: Well, the biggest thing was that the President incorporated
Sustainability into the University Strategic Plan. The next step is a sustainability
strategic plan requested by senior administration. We are waiting on approval of
this strategic plan. Putting this plan into action is the biggest step. As far as
programs, recycling is a big one; our dual stream recycling program is a big
step. Also the transportation services use of flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles
almost exclusively. You’ll have to look at the strategic plan for figures. The
Wade Utility Plant is probably the biggest part on the energy side, and we’ve
been using it for years. Its primary purpose is to generate steam for heating
campus, but before this steam gets sent to campus, it’s used to make
electricity. This is called “combined heat and power” and is very efficient, and
that’s what makes it so important.

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   19  

Me: Okay. What are the largest contributors to Purdue’s carbon footprint?
Robin: There was a class that studied this, and energy generated onsite and
purchased from off site is about 75% of the University’s carbon footprint. The
class was taught in 2007 by professors Raymond and Nies. You can find the
report on our website.
Me: On the sustainability website?
Robin: Yes. It is a PDF.
Me: Alright. When did Purdue first recognize the need to be environmentally
responsible?
Robin: Well, there really isn’t a good answer. Purdue has always been striving
to be a good steward of the environment since it was instituted. I can’t give you
an exact answer; I’m sorry.
Me: Okay. That answer is perfectly acceptable. Is there a published number in
dollars to indicate Purdue’s annual savings from the employment of green
technology?
Robin: I’m not really sure. I don’t think anyone has done the analysis. You
could certainly look at Wade Utility Plant’s distribution infrastructure on
campus; it’s one of the most important. Looking at how much the system costs
to maintain versus what it would cost to get from the outside, you could do the
figures.
Me: Speaking of Wade, we are very interested in the plant. Is there a better
person to contact about the plant?
Robin: Well, if you need any specific details about the maintenance or cost, Eric
Van Meter or Bruce High would be the people to talk to, but general questions I
can address myself.
Me: Thank you. Can you tell me what the Mechanical Engineering addition,
Gatewood, as a LEED certified building means to the Sustainability Council?
Robin: Well, it’s mainly been a learning opportunity to see what goes into
making a LEED certified building. It’s been a big help preparing us for what may
come in the future.
Me: On this topic, are there any plans to update other buildings to LEED
standards?
Robin: The new Marriot Hall will be LEED certified at least somewhat, and the
renovation of Harrick Labs. Luci Keazerr would be able to give you more
information. She’s actively involved with all of that.

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   20  

Me: Thank you very much. I’ve got two questions for you left. What are
Purdue’s biggest plans to ‘go green’ for the future?
Robin: We can’t really be sure until we get approval from the senior
administration of the sustainability plan. Once that happens, we can talk about
some specific projects the administration feels are important.
Me: Okay. Lastly, what would you consider to be Purdue’s biggest success
story, and are there any areas that need improvement.
Robin: Well, Wade is definitely a big success for the university, and we don’t
really have any specific problems, but if there is an area that needs
improvement, it would be the energy used by campus. We’re trying to reduce
the energy consumption.
Me: Thank you very much. I know you are busy; I appreciate your time.
Robin: You’re welcome.
Me: I will email you if I have any further questions.
Robin: Okay. See you. Thank you.

PURDUE  UNIVERSITY  –  EMERGING  GREEN   21