“The number and quality of submissions exceeded expectations, a credit to all those who supported the competition, and the quality of the ideas submitted speaks to the importance of sustainability in PSU students’ lives,” Eisenhauer said.

Dillon Bissell won first place by proposing that the university reduce its carbon footprint by converting the shuttle services over to vegetable oil. The case was well-supported with analyses of costs and other impacts.

The other two winners were Korey O’Brian, who proposed that motion light sensors be placed in residence halls campus wide, and Zachariah Goldenberg, who suggested that the campus use more locally grown food and that the quality of water should be improved throughout campus to reduce use of bottled water.

The Office of Environmental Sustainability at Plymouth State University is already planning future events to improve environmental sustainability at PSU.

“We look forward to continuing to hear from students who are passionate about sustainability,” said Janelle Emerson, a student employee in the Office of Environmental Sustainability who played an important role in organizing the green for green competition. “Students have great ideas, and by working together we hope to achieve a more sustainable future.”

For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU News Services Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu

On September 24, 2010 Plymouth State University will be working with PAREI (Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative) to install two Apricus Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors on the south side of EcoHouse. The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and is open to the public.

Volunteers and members of PAREI will be on-site to answer questions about the benefits of solar water heating and the installation process.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Steve Whitman: swhitman@jhtplanning.com.

Location: The EcoHouse is the white building with the large front porch across from D&M Hall.

Seventh Generation considers the environmental impacts of their products, from the farmers who cultivate lavender for scent, use of cleaners, to the disposal of the containers.

While in the bookstore this fall, also check out Environotes paper products, made of recycled, post consumer waste.

For questions or more information, please contact PSU Bookstore Store Manager, Stephen Rheaume , or visit the bookstore’s webpage.

PLYMOUTH, N.H.- Plymouth State University’s concerted efforts in becoming environmentally sustainable have landed it on a prestigious ranking of the country’s greenest colleges. The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges is an in-depth look at the most environmentally friendly institutions of higher learning nationwide, and according to the Review, PSU has “demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.” The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) partnered with the Review in compiling the list. PSU President Sara Jayne Steen said the institution has made a commitment to becoming environmentally responsible and the ranking embodies that goal.

Over the course of 10 weeks, Plymouth ranked Number 1 among schools in New Hampshire participating in the event. Kelly Donovan, student fellow for the Office of Environmental Sustainability, said the campus embraced the competition because it makes a real difference to the local environment.

Click to download Katherine Holder's EcoHouse Foundation Project report

Plymouth State University student Katherine Holder’s EcoHouse Foundation Project proposal led to the summer 2009 sustainable refurbishment of the building’s basement and core systems. Her report on the completion is available online as a PDF. The introduction reads:

As part of the Fall of 2009 Sustainability in Residences class, students identified projects that would contribute to the sustainability of the Eco-House. Among the proposals were solar hot water, rain catchment, organization and operations, building layout and floor plan, lighting and weatherizing plans. This project is the culmination of a Fall 2008 project entitled “Eco-House Basement Opportunity” that identified the need of PSU and Eco-House staff to address the structural integrity of foundation walls, as well as, related moisture and air quality issues. It was determined in the Spring of 2009 that the foundation walls of the Eco-House need to be replaced and construction was to be completed during the Summer of 2009. Upon partnering with ABODE Green Home Builders of Plymouth, NH, material choices and site design were selected.

The intent of construction done during the Summer of 2009 was to ensure the structural integrity of PSU’s Eco-House for generations to come. This entailed repairing and replacing three main foundation walls, replacing the sill plate above foundation walls, replacing two main structural beams, repairing roof rafters and bracing in the attic. Subsequent issues resolved during construction entailed on site water management, insulation of foundation walls, and removal of over half of impervious surfaces that abutted the building and covered the lot. These issues were remediated through the installation of a perimeter drain and engineered drainage plane, the use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) for foundation walls and the application of a capillary break on the exterior of new foundation walls. Critical components of water management and building longevity were completed during this construction phase at the Eco-House in order to ensure its integrity.

[Katherine] Holder said sustainable living begins when people start to think about how human activity affects the natural environment, then make small changes in their daily lives to reduce their individual “carbon footprint” and other impacts.

via ‘Eco House’ combines living with learning – Fosters.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The audio is available for download as an MP3.

Lovins’ slides are embedded below, and are available for download in QuickTime or PDF format.

Click here to view the embedded video.

(Click to advance to the next slide.)

Standing before PSU students and faculty, Lovins presented what he called a conservative economic theory — yet to be challenged, he pointed out — that energy efficiency and the resulting conservation make not only extremely good business sense, but are also good for the world’s climate. It’s what the institute’s Web site calls Natural Capitalism.