Sustainability Initiatives Highlights

President Charles W. Steger declared, "campus sustainability has strong support among university leadership and Virginia Tech will become a leader in campus sustainability issues." The content below and this information paper (18 kb PDF) highlight some of our many initiatives.

Alternative Transportation

Students, faculty, and staff
registered their bicycles at
the 2006 Active Commute
Celebration.

Since 2000 the Alternative Transportation Department has encouraged university students, faculty, and staff to carpool, ride the bus, walk, or cycle. Moving people out of single occupancy vehicles improves air quality, decreases the demand for gasoline, decreases road congestion, and improves the quality of life for Virginia Tech and the surrounding communities. Initiatives include:

• Local transit - Blacksburg Transit
• Regional transit - Smart Way bus
• Pedestrian facilities - recent improvements on Washington St.
• Cyling facilities - Hokie Bikeways
• Commuter incentives - Commuter Alternatives Program, Carpool Program, and the Bike/Bus & Walk Program

Biodiesel

A biodiesel program
is in development.

April 2007 VT news report: Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Virginia Tech to use biodiesel fuel in vehicles and power equipment

"Virginia Tech plans to convert approximately 20 vehicles used by Physical Plant Operations to biodiesel fuel by August 2007. In addition, the university plans to convert some off-road equipment (large lawn mowers, for example) once the conversion of these vehicles is complete." (Read more)

In addition, Physical Plant Operations provides space for graduate and undergraduate students working to produce biodiesel.

Fleet Services has partnered with Physical Plant Operations to develop a viable biodiesel program.

Capital Projects

Several new projects incorporate sustainable features that are becoming standard at Virginia Tech. Energy efficiency is increased with improved lighting and third party commissioning of HVAC systems. Since much of the building material is from local and regional sources, transportation and overall energy costs are reduced.

To improve indoor air quality wall surfaces will be painted with low-odor, low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint. Recyclable carpet tiles will be used in all carpeted areas. Furniture will contain recycled content fabrics, regional materials, and be manufactured by companies with strict environmental policies.

New construction projects incorporating some or all of these initiatives include:

• Bishop/Favrao Hall
• Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science I
• Life Sciences I
• New Residence Hall
• Surge Space Building
• More

Design and Construction Standards

The revised Virginia Tech Design and Construction Standards (PDF) establish a new goal for each capital project: attain LEED certification. Application for certification will be evaluated on a project-by-project basis. If the point level for LEED certification cannot be reached for a given project, then as many features as can be afforded shall be maintained in the design.

Additional specific energy-efficient and sustainable design practices are also included in the new standards:

Compact fluorescent
lightbulbs conserve
energy and provide
adequate lighting.

• Energy conserving lighting measures, including daylighting
• Deciduous trees plantings to shade buildings
• Construction waste management practices
• Use of sustainably harvested wood
• Advocates formaldehyde free products
• Use of low VOC paints, adhesives, sealers
• Use of local and regional materials
• Recycled content and recyclability
• Third party commissioning of mechanical systems

Energy Efficiency

Fuel Efficient Vehicles

The hybrid and
standard Ford Escapes

Fleet Services purchases the most fuel efficient vehicles possible off of the state contract. The Chevrolet Malibu, which comprises the majority of fleet vehicles, is rated at 32 miles per gallon (MPG). The department has purchased a hybrid Ford Escape to compare fuel usage to a standard Escape in the same operating conditions. As of February 2007 the hybrid Escape is averaging 10.3 MPG higher than the standard model.

Energy Efficient Motors

Eight energy efficient motors replaced the air handling unit old motors in Whittemore Hall in 2004. Approximately 168,300 KWH and $8,600 are saved each year.

Boiler Replacement

The energy efficient
boiler in Sterrett Center

In 2004 Physical Plant Operations replaced the natural gas fired boiler that heats the Sterrett Center and Fleet Services buildings. Energy and cost savings are approximately 524,500 MBH and $3,150 annually.

Lighting Fixture Retrofit

Increased efficiency
fluorescent lighting
in Whittemore Hall

The fluorescent light fixtures in Whittemore Hall have been replaced with more efficient T8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts. Many older buildings have had similar projects, including Pamplin, McBryde, Newman Library, Cheatham, and Architecture Annex.

Other energy efficient lighting projects include:

• Installation of occupancy sensors
• Replacement of incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps
• Replacement of all mercury vapor lamps with other types of high intensity discharge lamps
• Replacement of incandescent and fluorescent exit lighting fixtures with LED type fixtures

Climate Control Automation System

The Siemens Building Automation System (BAS) monitors and regulates the heating and cooling equipment in 86 campus buildings. Physical Plant Operations uses the BAS to control space temperatures to the targets stated in the Campus Energy Policy (PDF).

Roundabout

The roundabout (750 kb PDF) at the Washington Street and West Campus Drive intersection saves fuel, reduces traffic congestion and noise, and increases pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Green Building Initiatives

The latest revisions of the Virginia Tech Design and Construction Standards (PDF) outline goals for new projects using LEED as a reference. The focus is on five specific facets of sustainable building that are becoming standard practice in the design profession and building construction industry. The five categories are:

• Sustainable Sites
• Water Efficiency
• Energy and Atmosphere
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Materials and Resources

For details, see Proactive Steps Toward Energy Efficiency and Green Buildings.

Recycling

Bales of shredded
outdated records
to be recycled

Paper Recycling

In 2006 Records Management Services sent nearly 30 tons of outdated records to Montgomery County recycling.

Virginia Tech Recycling

Formally established by Physical Plant Operations in 1991, Virginia Tech Recycling serves the university by coordinating the recycling of materials which otherwise would be landfilled. Over 2.5 million lbs of material were recycled in 2005.

Stormwater Management

Bio-Retention

The Smithfield bio-
retention parking lot

Stormwater runoff from the Smithfield asphalt parking lot is managed by a newly constructed bio-cell. The carefully selected bio-cell plants filter and treat runoff (738 kb PDF) before it is discharged into Stroubles Creek.

Rain Garden

The rain garden in the
Hahn parking lot

A rain garden captures and treats surface runoff from the Hahn parking lot. The garden improves water quality prior to infiltration or discharge into Stroubles Creek.

Infiltration Trench

The Utilities parking lot
features an infiltration trench

Runoff from the Utilities parking lot is captured, managed, and treated by an adjoining infiltration trench. Engineered soils and specially selected plants improve the stormwater quality prior to discharge.

Duck Pond Improvements

Improvements to the Duck Pond's channel and spillway are underway. Channel reinforcement reduces the effects of erosion. A release spillway added to the upper pond allows particles suspended in runoff to drop out prior to discharge into the lower pond.

Small Municipal Stormwater Permit (MS-4)

The university operates a stormwater permit which requires adherence to specific stormwater management control measures. The permit outlines methods to manage and monitor runoff and improve pollution prevention measures.

Green Infrastructure Initiative

As a member of the New River Valley Planning District Commission (NRVPDC), Virginia Tech has undertaken the Green Infrastructure Initiative. Its goal is to educate municipalities about the environmental effects of "green" infrastructure. Members are encouraged to develop a planning tool for use when updating comprehensive plans.

Turf Lawn Conversion

Native grass meadows
and wildflowers replaces
35 acres of turf grass.

In spring of 2007 Virginia Tech converted 13 areas of campus, totaling just over 35 acres, from regularly maintained turf grass lawn to low maintenance native grass meadows and wildflowers. The project creates biodiversity, aids storm water management, and reduces fossil fuel use. Read more at the Turf Lawn Conversion webpage.

Water Conservation

A Water Use Audit authorized by the Assistant Vice President for Facilities documented or estimated water use in all campus buildings in 2005. Annual water use for each building was listed, as well as water use for activities specific to various departments including irrigation, equipment cooling, sterilizers, etc. Recommendations for measures that would result in significant water and monetary savings were also made.

The recommended water conservation measures proposed for the Sterrett Facilities Complex, McBryde Hall, and Pamplin Hall are currently underway. The results of these projects will prove the estimated water and monetary savings, as well as provide incentive to obtain funding to implement water conservation measures throughout campus.

Adopt-a-Stream clean up of Stroubles Creek