Drexel Named a Champion in EPA's Green Power Challenge

Drexel was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 2011-2012 Individual Conference Champion for using more green power than any other school in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Drexel beat its conference rivals by using more than 84 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 100 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage, the EPA announced Wednesday. Drexel purchases renewable wind energy certificates from Community Energy, reducing the environmental impacts associated with the campus’ electricity use. “EPA applauds Drexel University as the Colonial Athletic Association Conference Champion in this year’s College and University Green Power Challenge,” said Blaine Collison, director of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “By purchasing 100 percent renewable electricity, Drexel is demonstrating that universities can make a real environmental difference and help advance the market for cleaner, renewable resources.” According to the EPA, Drexel’s green power use of more than 84 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electricity use of more than 7,000 average American homes annually, or the CO2 emissions of more than 11,000 passenger vehicles per year. The CAA collectively purchases more than 93 million kWh of green power.

Since April 2006, the EPA’s Green Power Partnership has tracked and recognized the collegiate athletic conferences with the highest combined green power purchases in the nation. A full list of 2011-12 rankings is available on the EPA’s website. Earlier this year, the EPA awarded Drexel membership to the 2012 Green Power Leadership Club, an elite group of Green Power Partners who demonstrate exemplary environmental leadership. The minimum green power purchase requirements to be a member of the Leadership Club are 10 times greater than the purchase requirements for the Green Power Partnership. Drexel is one of the top five green power purchasers among colleges and universities nationwide. Drexel is also profiled for its sustainability efforts this week in the Princeton Review’s third annual “Guide to 322 Green Colleges,” a comprehensive guide to colleges and universities that have demonstrated a notable commitment to sustainability. The 322 schools, which are not ranked, were chosen for receiving a Green Rating of 83 or higher (on a scale of 60 to 99) based on data from the Princeton Review’s 50-question survey conducted among school administrators. The Green Guide is available for free download from the Princeton Review’s website. To celebrate Earth Day (April 22), Drexel is hosting a full week of events this week, culminating in a community-wide Earth Day Block Party along Lancaster Walk behind the Drexel Recreation Center from 11am to 1pm on Friday, April 20. For a full list of events, click here.

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