Energy efficiency efforts at Central Michigan University, which is in Mount Pleasant, have resulted in savings of $10.8 million since 2008.
Central Michigan Life says that despite the savings, the school’s carbon foot print has increased by 24 percent during that period – from 87,439 metric tons in 2008 to 108,972 metric tons last year. The school’s carbon footprint is comprised of heating, electricity and refrigerants (70 percent) and travel, commuting, solid waste, paper purchased and waste water (22 percent), the story says.
The story compares CMU’s carbon footprint of 18.38 metric tons per 1,000 square feet against similarly sized schools and found them to be higher than Ohio, Grand Valley and Western Michigan universities, but lower than Ball State and Temple universities.
Ohio University said that it will get half its energy from renewables beginning next month. The school also said that it will achieve its renewable energy goal four years earlier than anticipated.
