The University of Colorado Board of Regents has approved two projects that will support CU Boulder’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality no later than 2050.
The approval follows Gov. Jared Polis’s awarding of two geothermal grants to CU Boulder in May.
“We are rapidly taking action to achieve CU Boulder’s sustainability goals, as outlined in our updated Climate Action Plan,” Chancellor Philip DiStefano said. “It is encouraging that these projects will decrease our campus’s carbon impact as we make progress toward our goal to achieve carbon neutrality.”
East Campus solar array
Key highlights:
Current plans encompass the construction of a 1.1 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar array on a two-acre site east of parking Lot 560.
Building efficiency project
Key highlights:
This project will conduct facilities improvement measures to 18 buildings on Main Campus. Projected annual utility savings are estimated at $352,000 with an additional $25,000 in operational savings. Annual carbon dioxide (CO2) savings are projected at 2,226 metric tons.
Specific measures include replacement of steam traps, installation of low-use water fixtures, lighting upgrades to LED, optimization of building controls, upgrading to a new control platform, and campus constituent engagement and education.
The scope of the project includes the Benson Earth Sciences Building, Bruce Curtis Museum Collection Building, Continuing Education Center, Denison Arts & Sciences Building, Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory, Economics Building, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Fiske Planetarium & Science Center, Gallogly Discovery Learning Center, Imig Music Building, Koenig Alumni Center, Mathematics Building, Norlin Library, Regent Administrative Center, University Administrative Center, University Theatre, Visual Arts Complex, and Woodbury Arts & Sciences Building.
“We are excited to begin two more projects that will get us closer to achieving our Climate Action Plan goals,” Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability Chris Ewing said. “We are committed to decarbonizing and becoming more energy efficient, and these projects will help us start seeing tangible results.”
