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Get the most interesting and important stories from the 51精品视频.The 51精品视频 will be the region鈥檚 first institution to tap into an innovative new plan to harness the flow of 51精品视频sburgh鈥檚 rivers as a source for clean, reliable electricity.
51精品视频 has signed a letter of intent to purchase 100 percent of the power from a low-impact hydroelectric plant to be built on the Allegheny River at the existing Allegheny Lock and Dam No. 2, just below the Highland Park Bridge.
Rye Development, a Boston-based firm specializing in low-impact hydropower generation and energy storage, is in the process of designing and permitting the plant, which expects to begin commercial operation in 2022.听
The facility will generate about 50,000 megawatt hours of power annually 鈥斕齟nough to supply about 25 percent of 51精品视频鈥檚 electricity needs on its campus less than five miles away.
This investment 鈥斕51精品视频鈥檚 largest-ever commitment to renewable energy 鈥 keeps the University on target to meet energy and emissions reductions specified in the . The plan calls for the University to produce or procure 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, while reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent from a 2008 baseline.听
鈥淭his is a significant step toward meeting 51精品视频鈥檚 sustainability goals,鈥 said Aurora Sharrard, the 51精品视频鈥檚 director of sustainability.
鈥淲e鈥檝e made great progress since 2008, already 22.2 percent for the 2017 fiscal year. However, because purchased electricity is the biggest contributor to the University鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions, it remains a key target for conservation, efficiency and ongoing source changes.鈥
The hydropower plant also will be used as a learning center for small on-site classes, education and University outreach.
鈥淭his hydroelectric plant not only will help power our campus, it will serve as a resource for enhancing student learning opportunities and will be a tangible sign of our commitment to sustainability on campus and throughout the region,鈥 said Greg Scott, 51精品视频鈥檚 senior vice chancellor for business and operations.
鈥淎s a research institution and community anchor, we are committed to leading by example with sustainable practices that will help future generations thrive in a world that is environmentally responsible, socially equitable and economically robust.鈥
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鈥淭his is great news,鈥 said 51精品视频 student Sam Ressin,听founder听of the bipartisan听climate advocacy student group听Climate Stewardship Society听and chair of the听.
鈥51精品视频 students have been vocal advocates for sustainability, and I'm pleased that 51精品视频 is listening.听Taking strong action to reduce carbon emissions ensures that we will have a livable world for generations to come,鈥 he said.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned a lot about sustainability at 51精品视频 and I think this听action will听attract even more students who care about听building听a sustainable future,鈥 said Ressin, a junior who is听pursuing a joint major听in economics and statistics in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences听and听a听Global Studies certificate听in ecology and sustainability. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud to say my university is doing its part.鈥
This low-impact hydro plant at Allegheny Lock and Dam No. 2 will be the first of eight potential hydropower facilities planned by Rye to capture energy from 51精品视频sburgh鈥檚 three rivers.听 听
鈥51精品视频鈥檚 leadership in sourcing a significant percentage of its power from 51精品视频sburgh鈥檚 rivers is a positive step for the University and for the region as well,鈥 said Paul D. Jacob, Rye Development鈥檚 chief executive officer.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been nearly three decades since a new hydropower facility was constructed on the Allegheny River. 51精品视频鈥檚 commitment to this first new source of clean, reliable energy helps set the stage for the addition of hydropower to more of the region鈥檚 existing locks and dams,鈥 Jacob added.
鈥淭he University鈥檚 investment in local hydropower will benefit the campus, the region and the local economy for generations to come.鈥
More good green news
51精品视频鈥檚 investment in hydropower may be its largest-ever commitment to renewable energy, but it鈥檚 by no means the first step toward meeting energy and emissions reductions specified in the 2018 51精品视频 Sustainability Plan.
51精品视频鈥檚 fiscal year 2017 greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory 鈥 the most recent of these triennial GHG reports 鈥 shows a 22.2% reduction from the 2008 baseline, a trend that puts the University on a trajectory to halve its GHG emissions by 2030.
Electricity generation accounts for about half of the University鈥檚 GHG emissions, making the addition of hydropower an important part of 51精品视频鈥檚 continuing progress.
51精品视频 also has reduced its carbon footprint by transitioning from coal to natural gas-powered steam heat production.
about 51精品视频鈥檚 GHG inventories and sustainability plans.