GHG Report for University of Southern Maine
Submitted on July 27, 2011; last updated on July 27, 2011
Summary Statistics
Making fair comparisons between higher education institutions is always challenging due to the rich diversity of higher education. The unverified nature of the information in this database and unavailability of unbiased normalization metrics means such comparisons are even more difficult. Users should therefore approach direct institution to institution comparisons with caution and recognize that all comparisons between institutions are inherently biased.| Total | Per Full-Time Enrollment | Per 1000 Square Feet | % Offset | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross emissions (Scopes 1 + 2) | 15,375 metric tons of CO2e | 1.5 metric tons of CO2e | 6.2 metric tons of CO2e | 0% |
| Gross emissions (Scopes 1 + 2 + 3) | 20,590 metric tons of CO2e | 2.0 metric tons of CO2e | 8.3 metric tons of CO2e | 0% |
| Net emissions | 20,590 metric tons of CO2e | 2.0 metric tons of CO2e | 8.3 metric tons of CO2e | N/A |
Emissions Inventory Methodology and Boundaries
| Start date of the 12-month period covered in this report | July 1, 2009 |
| Consolidation methodology used to determine organizational boundaries | Operational control approach |
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If any institution-owned, leased, or operated buildings or other holdings that should fall within the organizational boundaries are omitted, briefly explain why.
Emissions from significant leased space are included in this inventory. Emissions from several small leased spaces where the University does not pay the utilities are not included. |
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| Emissions calculation tool used | Custom tool |
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Please describe why this tool was selected.
In working with an outside contracted energy consulting firm, it was decided that utilizing the firm's internal energy modeling tool was the most efficient method to manage data. |
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Please describe the source(s) of the emissions coefficients used.
No information provided |
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| Which version of IPCC's list of global warming potentials did you use? | No information provided |
| Who primarily conducted this emissions inventory? | External consultant |
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Please describe the process of conducting the inventory.
Working with CES (outside contracted energy company who utilizes Energy Watchdog), the Asst. Director for Sustainable Programs accumulated and organized data. Calculations for emissions from transportation were created based on a model developed by University of Maine Sustainability staff. |
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Please describe any emissions sources that were classified as de minimis and explain how a determination of the significance of these emissions was made.
Our fugitive emissions are de minimis for this report. To ensure accurate reporting in the future, beginning July 1, 2011 USM's Facilities Management will begin a more detailed data collection plan for fugitive emissions.
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Please describe any data limitations related to this submission and any major assumptions made in response to these limitations.
As mentioned above, our transportation emission numbers are based on estimations due to lack of collected information and non-resident student commuting emissions will not be included in this report. The UMaine system in general and USM in particular are working to create a reliable staff & faculty travel data collection plan utilizing travel voucher information provided by the traveler. |
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Emissions Data
Emissions from the following sources (in metric tons of CO2e)
| Scope 1 Emissions | |
|---|---|
| Stationary Combustion | 7,976.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Mobile Combustion | 151.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Process Emissions | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Fugitive Emissions | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Total Scope 1 emissions | 8,127.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Scope 2 Emissions | |
| Purchased Electricity | 7,248.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Purchased Heating | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Purchased Cooling | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Purchased Steam | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Total Scope 2 emissions | 7,248.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Scope 3 Emissions | |
| Commuting | 4,551.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Air Travel | 685.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Solid Waste | -688.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Athletics Bus Travel | 72.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Intercampus Shuttle Bus | 195.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Staff Auto Business Travel | 400.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Total Scope 3 emissions | 5,215.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Biogenic Emissions | |
| Biogenic Emissions from Stationary Combustion | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
| Biogenic Emissions from Mobile Combustion | 0.0 metric tons of CO2e |
Mitigation Data
| Carbon Offsets | |
|---|---|
| Carbon offsets purchased | No information provided |
| Offset verification program(s) | No information provided |
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Description of offsets purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)
No information provided |
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| Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) | |
| Total RECs purchased | 4000000 kWh |
| Percent of total electricity consumption mitigated through the purchase of RECs | 20.0 % |
| Emissions reductions due to the purchase of RECs | No information provided |
| REC verification program(s) | Green-e, Other |
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Description of RECs purchased (including vendor, project source, etc.)
Worumbo Hydropower Project, Lisbon Falls, Maine - 3,000 MWh (15% of total), Low Impact Hydro Institute Certified, Purchased through CES.
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| Sequestration and Carbon Storage | |
| Sequestration due to land owned by the institution | No information provided |
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Description of how sequestration was calculated
No information provided |
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| Carbon storage due to composting | No information provided |
Normalization and Contextual Data
| Building Space | |
|---|---|
| Gross square feet of building space | 2,491,953.0 sq ft |
| Net assignable square feet of laboratory space | No information provided |
| Net assignable square feet of health care space | No information provided |
| Net assignable square feet of residential space | No information provided |
| Population | |
| Total Student Enrollment (FTE) | 10050.0 |
| Residential Students | 1200 |
| Full-time Commuter Students | No information provided |
| Part-time Commuter Students | No information provided |
| Non-Credit Students | No information provided |
| Full-time Faculty | No information provided |
| Part-time Faculty | No information provided |
| Full-time Staff | No information provided |
| Part-time Staff | No information provided |
| Other Contextual Data | |
| Endowment Size | No information provided |
| Heating Degree Days | No information provided |
| Cooling Degree Days | No information provided |
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Please describe any circumstances specific to your institution that provide context for understanding your greenhouse gas emissions this year.
No information provided |
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Supporting Documentation
| Completed inventory narrative | No information provided |
| Completed inventory calculator | No information provided |