BCC wins prestigious sustainabilty award
Berkshire Community College (BCC) is excited to have been one of eight state organizations that was recognized at the 13th annual Leading by Example awards for clean energy initiatives in public higher education in the Commonwealth by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.
The Leading by Example (LBE) program is administered by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and works collaboratively with state agencies and public colleges and universities to advance clean energy and sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations. The awards were presented at a State House ceremony by DOER Commissioner Judith Judson and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Commissioner Carol Gladstone.
BCC received a recognition award for clean energy, waste reduction and additional sustainability initiatives including the installation of solar PV that generates the equivalent of 20% of campus electricity consumption, achieving an 81% waste diversion rate and 2nd place nationwide in the Recyclemania program through significant composting and recycling programs, a deep retrofit of the Hawthorne/Melville to meet LEED Silver standards, and more.
Dave Moran (Director of Facilities) and Laura Saldarini (Director of Academic Operations and Chair of the Green Team) traveled to the Massachusetts State House to represent our College at the Leading By Example Awards.
UMASS Lowell also won a Leading by Example award in the public higher education category.
“What an exciting day today! Our efforts with renewable energy, composting, recycling and, frankly, our culture of commitment to sustainability through sustainable practices and a sustainability mindset are reflected in the decision to recognize the College for this prestigious honor."
- Ellen Kennedy, President of the College
According to a press release by the Mass. Dept. of Energy Resources released yesterday, Leading by Example efforts across state government are directly reducing energy and environmental impacts and lowering operating costs. State agencies, authorities and public higher education campuses have collectively reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% from a 2004 baseline, installed more than 27 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity on state lands, reduced heating oil use by 82%, eliminating use of more than 18 million gallons of fuel, installed 148 electric vehicle charging stations, and converted more than 118 acres of lawn on state properties into productive pollinator habitats. Additionally, since 2014, 13 solar projects at 11 sites receiving LBE grants will generate more than 200 million kilowatt hours (kWh) and result in more than $25 million in fiscal benefits to these agencies and campuses over 20 years. (2019, December 10). Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-13th-annual-leading-by-example-awards.