William Paterson University Receives Award for Generating Highest Percentage of Emissions Reductions

Among New Jersey CollegesWilliam Paterson University was presented with an Energy and Climate Action Award for meritorious achievement in energy and emissions reductions from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS).

William Paterson generated a 48 percent reduction of emissions in a comparison of figures from 1990 and 2002. This was the highest percentage of emissions reductions among New Jersey colleges and universities according to the new report, “Greenhouse Gas Action Plan (GGAP): Achievements, Challenges and a Look Ahead” issued by the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS).

Lou Poandl, director of facilities at the University, cites an intelligent approach to boiler plant operations and more efficient use of electricity on campus as key to William Paterson’s success. Switching to cleaner-burning fuel oil and natural gas in the central boiler plant made a large impact on emissions reductions.

“We installed more efficient florescent lighting fixtures and that has made a big difference – lighting can account for up to 20 percent of a campus building’s energy usage,” says Poandl. “Moreover, the University installed metering and a programmable building management system, allowing the cycling of equipment and scheduling of ‘off’ periods for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation when buildings and rooms are not in use.”

The University will continue in its quest to use energy more efficiently and seek out alternative energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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For more information, contact: Mary Beth Zeman, 973-720-2444, zemanm@wpunj.edu