Colby College

Profile

Colby College, founded in 1813, is a 714-acre rural campus in Waterville, Maine. The college has approximately  1,865 students and  210 faculty members. A global focus is integrated within the Colby’s academics, student organizations, and research endeavors. Colby has been committed to environmental issues since the 1970’s; the college partnered with Clean Air - Cool Planet in May, 2003, to develop and implement green house gas emissions reduction strategies.

Past Initiatives

The College began by replacing standard T-8 bulbs with low mercury T-8 bulbs, which decrease power use, last longer, contain less mercury, and meet EPA guidelines for non-hazardous waste. Spaces have been equipped with light motion sensors, and photoelectric sensors control most exterior lights, causing them to be activated as needed and allowing them to adjust automatically to seasonal changes in daylight.

A feed water economizer installed at the central heating plant has reduced fuel oil consumption by about 100,000 gallons annually. A new a co-generation turbine produces an annual average of 1.7 million kWh of power, resulting in electricity cost savings of $150,000.  An upgraded energy management system has also increased efficiency at Colby and a change to fuel oil has resulted in a 90% decrease in sulfur emissions.

In Colby’s hockey rink, light fixtures were reduced from 400 to 320 watts, and a separate, low-heat room was constructed to house the Zamboni, removing the need to constantly heat and circulate water through the machine to prevent freezing.

In 2000, Colby’s Environmental Advisory Group (EAG) was formed to advise the president and college community on issues related to environmental stewardship.  Since then, the EAG has been instrumental in raising awareness and implementing important environmental initiatives.  Colby’s success was recognized in 2003 when the college received a US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Merit Award and in 2002 and 2004 when it received the Maine Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Finally, in 2005, Colby College received $25,000 from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation to fund a Green Campus Summit.  Teams of students, faculty and staff from Maine and Candian school came to Colby in April to discuss climate change and related campus sustainability issues with national leaders on these subjects.

Current Initiatives

Recently, students in the Environmental Studies program completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory going back to 1990. Along with its continual focus on energy-efficiency measures, Colby has launched a “green power initiative,” to shift the university to renewable energy sources; Colby recently signed a contract with a local energy provider to deliver a new mix of 50% biomass and 50% hydroelectric power. Colby’s efforts have allowed it increase local demand for renewables and support local economies, while cutting its CO2 emissions by 26.9%, NOx by 41.5%, and SO2 by a notable 97.8%. In fact, biomass is considered "CO2-neutral" in nature and hydropower has no emissions. These reductions in emissions, combined with the electric savings achieved by our co-generated power in the steam plant, are cornerstones of Colby’s efforts at environmental stewardship. Visit “Green Colby” for more details on energy measures and related initiatives.

The college’s Dining Services is making remarkable strides in becoming more sustainable.  It has joined forces with Colby's Physical Plant Department to reduce water usage and improve waste management, as well as compost food waste.  Dining Services focuses its efforts on buying local and organic food products as well as purchasing seafood only found on the nationally recognized sustainable “Fist List.”  In 2006, green efforts by Dining Services were recognized and helped Colby make the Campus Ecology Yearbook of the National Wildlife Federation.  Colby’s strong stance on green building also helped it make the Ecology Yearbook.     

Future Initiatives

It takes approximately 14 million kWh of electricity per year to meet Colby's power needs on its Waterville campus. But, beginning in October, no fossil fuels are being burned to generate the electrical power that Colby purchases. Half will be coming from Maine hydropower and the other half from Maine biomass wood waste such as wood chips and sawdust.

In 2002 Colby adopted strategic plan establishing a framework for the College’s growth over the next 10 years.  The new expansion was designed around the Colby Green- a new district based on the concept of a New England village green.  Colby’s commitment to environmental stewardship will be evident in all phases of the campus expansion, which include new buildings to apply for certification through the US Green Building Council’s “Leader in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) program.  In fact, the first phase of the Colby Green plan has already become a reality.  Colby’s new alumni center has a long list of environmentally-friendly features such as its use of three geothermal wells for heating and cooling, each 1,500 feet deep.  The Schair-Swenson-Watson Alumni Center recently received a Silver LEED certification for its green-design and was the first academic building in Maine proposed for such certification.  Also in the works are a social sciences and interdisciplinary studies building, both proposed to be a LEEDs-certified green building.

Colby’s administration is supporting a move toward carbon neutrality.  Colby is a Green Power Partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection for its commitment to cleaner, renewable and reliable alternatives to conventional electricity generation.  Colby has recently signed a 3-year contract with Constellation New Energy to deliver a new green energy mix composed of biomass, hydroelectric, and wind power.  The resulting reductions in emissions, combined with the electricity savings achieved from their co-generated power from the steam plant, make Colby a better environmental steward and allows the institution to continue to reduce their environmental footprint.  Colby’s goal is to be a national leader in campus sustainability and resource conservation.

Institution's Goal

"This partnership recognizes current and past efforts by the people of Colby to be responsible stewards of our environment, and will spur the College to explore new strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions..." - Colby President William D. Adams

Contact

Beth Kopp
Coordinator, Environmental Studies Program
207 859-4846,
Beth.Kopp@colby.edu