NYSERDA recognizes UB among higher ed leaders in N.Y.

UB was recognized on consecutive days this week as a sustainability leader in higher education.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on April 26 named UB one of 16 “Leaders” among REV Campus Challenge First Movers. The REV Campus Challenge is part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), a strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.

NYSERDA recognized 46 First Movers, or colleges and universities across the state that joined the REV Campus Challenge within the first six months.

First Movers were assigned to one of three categories: Leaders, Achievers and Participants. UB’s Leader peers include Columbia University, New York University and Cornell University.

“These members demonstrate comprehensive, campus, clean-energy investments, embrace clean-energy research and development and curricula efforts at their institution, and are looking to increase engagement with their communities,” the NYSERDA First Movers website notes.

The previous day, UB was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its use of green power, or zero-emissions electricity that is generated from environmentally preferred renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

UB ranked No. 1 on the EPA Green Power Partnership’s Top 30 College and University list and 29th on the National Top 100. EPA updates its Green Power Partnership rankings each quarter. Before the April rankings, UB’s highest standing on the college and university list was No. 11.

“This recognition from NYSERDA further validates the culture of sustainability we are trying to implement here on campus,” says Ryan McPherson, UB’s chief sustainability officer.

“We take our role as a sustainability leader among colleges and universities very seriously, as well as the need to continue our work to do more to build the future we seek. We’re constantly striving to find ways to reach our goal of being climate neutral by 2030, while graduating sustainably literate students.”