EPA Signs an Agreement with the University at Buffalo to Improve Environmental Sustainability (NY)
(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency has signed an agreement with the University at
Buffalo that will expand the school’s environmental
commitments. The university has agreed to enhance energy and water
efficiency, reduce waste, and use green landscaping practices. The
University of Buffalo is the largest school in the State University
of New York system.
“The University at Buffalo has been a
leader in education and research for years,” said EPA
Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “With this agreement,
it is distinguishing itself as an environmental leader. EPA
encourages other large universities to look to SUNY Buffalo’s
example as they increase their commitments to environmental
stewardship.”
Under the agreement between the University at
Buffalo and EPA, the university will:
· Continue to
purchase a significant portion of its energy from renewable
generation sources, including wind and solar energy. Register as an
EnergyStar partner. Continue to be a partner in EPA’s Green
Power Partnership program.
· Recycle
organic materials and reuse landscape materials where possible.
Utilize EPA’s GreenScapes program to reduce the need to
replace landscaping materials and high maintenance
plants.
· Assess its
laboratories to reduce high energy use with the assistance of
EPA’s Labs 21 program. Join EPA’s WasteWise program,
incorporating several EPA programs, including: the Resource
Conservation Challenge, to manage materials more efficiently; the
Electronics Challenge, to recycle and avoid hazardous materials
from entering landfills; and the Building Challenge, to recycle,
reuse and reduce construction and demolition
materials.
· Continue to
pursue emission reduction strategies for its vehicle fleet, in line
with the National Clean Diesel Campaign.
· Encourage
students, faculty, staff and administrators to conserve water.
Utilize EPA WaterSense products and follow WaterSense
guidelines.
The university will submit a status report to
EPA annually beginning September 1, 2011. The report will include
an update on the various activities identified in this
agreement.
EPA has similar agreements in place with the New
York Jets and New York Giants for the new Meadowlands Stadium, the
New York Mets for Citi Field stadium, the real estate firm Cushman
& Wakefield, Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.,
Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J., St. John’s
University in Queens, N.Y., and Stony Brook University Hospital in
Stony Brook, N.Y.
Any corporation or business venture interested
in working with EPA on a Green MOU should visit the EPA Green Team
Web Site at http://www.epa.gov/region02/greenteam/
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/eparegion2
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