RVCC First Two-Year School in US to Reach Carbon Neutrality
Raritan Valley Community College is the first two-year institution of higher education in the country to reach a significant environmental milestone: carbon neutrality.
Carbon neutrality is defined as having no net emissions after minimizing the carbon footprint as much as possible and offsetting the remaining emissions.
“For over a decade, the College has been working to reduce its carbon footprint and increase its energy efficiency. We are excited to reach this milestone in protecting our campus environment and will continue to pursue programs and policies that enable us to maintain a leadership role in sustainability,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough.
In 2009, RVCC was the first community college in the country to sign an environmental stewardship agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency. The agreement enabled RVCC to actively pursue and document green initiatives that continue to benefit the campus community.
This year RVCC has offset all remaining Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions from natural gas, oil, and gasoline) by acquiring carbon offsets, mostly for wind energy and some for the capture of landfill gas. Since 2014, the College has offset all remaining Scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions from purchased electricity, by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for US wind energy. As a result, for the first time RVCC is carbon neutral in Scopes 1 and 2.
In 2016, RVCC was one of only 11 colleges and universities in the nation to be honored with the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Award for its leadership in sustainable education, programs, practices, and facilities.
Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. Serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for close to 50 years, RVCC is an educational and cultural center that is nationally recognized for its innovative programming, service to the community and environmental leadership. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2018
Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383
PR #73
