Sustainable Transportation Initiatives at UConn CT Green Campus Conference

1. Sustainable Transportation Initiatives at UConnCT Green Campus Conference Richard A. Miller Director of Environmental Policy Email: rich.miller@uconn.edu 860-486-8741 December 10, 2004

2. University of Connecticut Environmental Policy April 22, 2004 In fulfilling its mission as Connecticut’s land grant, public research university and its corresponding obligation to protect and preserve natural resources for an environmentally sustainable future, the University of Connecticut commits to the following principles of environmental leadership: Performance: The University will institutionalize best practices and continually monitor, report on and improve its environmental performance. Responsible management and growth: The University will endeavor to design, construct and maintain its buildings, infrastructure and grounds in a manner that ensures environmental sustainability and protects public health and safety. Outreach: The University will promote environmental stewardship in Connecticut and embrace environmental initiatives in partnership with its surrounding communities. Academics: The University will advance understanding of the environment through its curriculum, research and other academic programs, and will employ an ethic of environmental stewardship in all intellectual pursuits. Conservation: The University will conserve natural resources, increase its use of environmentally sustainable products, materials and services, including renewable resources, and prevent pollution and minimize wastes through reduction, reuse and recycling. Teamwork: The University will encourage teamwork and provide groups and individuals with support, guidance and recognition for achieving shared environmental goals. We, the community of students, faculty, staff and administration at the University of Connecticut, both individually and collectively, affirm our commitment to act in accordance with these principles.

3. UConn’s Environmental Policy Organization

4. Sustainable Design Guidelines Climate Change - GHG Emissions Reductions Alternative Fuels Energy Conservation Water Conservation Waste Paper Reduction Env Education & Literacy Environmental Outreach EcoHusky Recycling Conservation 2004-05 EPAC Initiatives

5. Climate Change – Global Threat to Environmental Sustainability Global Warming - Rising sea level, drought, tropical disease, extinction, famine, flooding, …. Air Pollution - Smog, asthma, bronchitis, acid rain, cancer, ….

6. Consequences of Climate Change Columbia Glacier, Valdez, Alaska Buya, Ethiopia – two years of drought High temps, dry conditions may become more common near equator Length decreased by 13 km past 25 years. Projected to shrink another 20 km by2010 National Geographic, September 2004

7. Climate Change – Why Alternative Fuels? CO2 molecules absorb and re-emit infrared radiation US - 5% of population, 24% of carbon emissions 1/3 of US CO2 – utilities/energy 1/4 of US CO2 – transportation Framework Convention on Climate Change (Rio, 1992) Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change (1997) Connecticut and New England are taking steps to reduce GHG emissions Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan UConn’s Pres. Austin Signs CCAP Pledge – Fall ‘03

8. What are the Options? Gasoline Diesel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Fossil Fuels Biomass Ethanol Biodiesel Hybrid Electric Hydrogen Fuel Cells Any Source

9. GHG Emissions / Mile for a Passenger Car** Grams CO2 equivalent / mile **Based on Well-to-Wheel Lifecycle Analysis www.biodiesel.org

10. Data from www.biodiesel.org

11. Why Biodiesel? • Renewable Fuel derived from plant oils • Reduces GHG emissions • Produced domestically or made from waste cooking oil • Contains no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel (ex. B20) • No engine modifications are necessary • Biodegradable, Nontoxic Fuel www.biodiesel.org

12. Biodiesel Fuel at UConn

13. Waste Cooking Oil At UConn www.sunlightsolar.com/ Bend%20BioFuels%20Coop.htm

14. Biodiesel Reactants Oil: Triglycerides Alcohol: Methanol - CH3OH Catalyst: Potassium Hydroxide - KOH homepage1.nifty.com/ scilla/bunsi/naoh/naoh.html

15. Climate Change: GHG Emissions ReductionBio-Diesel Project

16. UConn Biodiesel Meets ASTM Specs • GC/MS and HPLC • ASTM tests: • All ASTM tests performed were passed

17. UConn Biodiesel Facts • 96 diesel vehicles, 16 diesel shuttle buses • Each bus travels ~17,600 miles/yr @ 6 mpg • Fleet vehicles ~5% GHG emissions on-campus • 4,000 gal/yr waste cooking oil from dining halls = 20,000 gal/yr B20 • 20,000 gal B20 can power 6 buses year round or 16 buses for 4.5 mos • Result  7.95 tons eCO2 emissions reduction/yr

18. Biodiesel Bus Demo – Nov. 12, 2004

19. Next Step: Proposed Research/Production Facility

20. Sizing of Potential Facility • Based on 4,000 gal of waste oil/year • 5 week production period 3x a year • Advantages: • Practical student research/labor (facility could be used as part of class requirement) • Easy scale up to full production of 23,000 gal/year if additional sources of waste cooking oil* • Disadvantages: • Methanol, oil & fuel storage invokes stringent building codes and EPA/DEP regulations *Considering reduced scale (60 gal methanol storage)

21. 2003-05 Master Plan UpdatePedestrian-Friendly Campus Core

22. Campus Bicycle Plan Initiative • Joint Initiative – CTI/ITE and EcoHusky/Green Campus Student Group (October) • ITE Testimony at Master Plan Advisory Committee Public Meeting (Oct. 13) • Discussion with Building & Grounds Committee (Nov. 5) • ITE/EcoHusky Campus Bicycling Survey in Nov. & Dec. – 2,000+ Respondents • ITE Research into Other C/U Campus Bicycling Plans