Cornell University
OP-2: Outdoor Air Quality

Part 1

Institution has written policies or guidelines to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources on campus. Policies and/or guidelines may include prohibiting vehicle idling, restrictions on the use of powered lawn care equipment, and similar strategies.

Policies and guidelines that support cleaner and more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles and more sustainable commuting options are covered by credits in the Transportation subcategory.

Policies adopted by entities of which the institution is part (e.g. government or university system) may count for Part 1 of this credit as long as the policies apply to and are followed by the institution.

Part 2

Institution has completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary sources on campus or else verified that no such emissions are produced. Significant emissions include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and other standard categories of air emissions identified in environmental permits held by the institution, international conventions, and/or national laws or regulations.

This credit applies to all institutions.

Each part is scored independently.

Part 1

Institutions earn the maximum of 0.5 points available for Part 1 of this credit for having policies or guidelines in place to improve outdoor air quality and minimize air pollutant emissions from mobile sources. Partial points are not available for Part 1 of this credit.

Part 2

Institutions earn the maximum of 0.5 points available for Part 2 of this credit by having completed an inventory of significant air emissions from stationary campus sources or else verified that no such emissions are produced. Partial points are not available for Part 2 of this credit.

Timeframe

Part 1

Report on current programs, policies and practices at the time of submission. 

Part 2

Report inventories of annual emissions completed or updated within the three years prior to the anticipated date of submission.

Sampling and Data Standards

Part 1

Not applicable

Part 2

To the extent possible, report all significant air emissions generated by stationary sources within the institutional boundary when reporting for this credit. There are a number of methodologies for measuring air emissions, including direct measurement, calculation based on site-specific data and/or published criteria, and estimation (see for example, U.S. EPA document AP-42 and tools). If data for all sources and/or an entire year are not available, institutions may use representative samples.