Virginia Tech
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

In December 2007, Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger met with students about the Presidents Climate Commitment. On April 25, 2008, President Steger charged the Energy and Sustainability Committee with the task of developing the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan (VTCAC&SP). To develop a draft plan, the Committee established a 20‐member subcommittee representing all facets of the university, from facilities to campus life, from to academic faculty to students. For a complete list of the members of the subcommittee and additional stakeholders that collaborated on the plan, please see the “Acknowledgements” page of the VTCAC&SP at http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf In 2009, the Board of Visitors approved “The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution” and its accompanying Sustainability Plan specific to the university, which created the Office of Energy and Sustainability, established targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, emphasized energy efficiency, and committed the institution to pursue LEED Silver certification or better for all new construction and major renovation projects. The VTCAC&SP plan incorporates three objectives: 1. A statement of Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment more specific to the university than the American Colleges and Universities Presidents Climate Commitment (PCC) 2. An action plan to achieve the goals of that commitment 3. A plan to enhance Virginia Tech’s sustainability programs and culture Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/climateAction.pdf Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment & Sustainability Plan: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/sustPlan.pdf

The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution outlines fourteen (14) resolution points. Many of these points establish measurable targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and waste reduction. Additionally, these points establish measurable targets for increases in energy and heating efficiency, transportation efficiency, number of LEED certified buildings, recycling rate, and purchasing of materials with recycled content and/or local and sustainable products. For the complete VTCAC Resolution, please see: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/climateAction.pdf The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment Resolution sets forth the following measurable goals: Resolution #3: Virginia Tech will establish a target for reduction of campus GHG emissions to 80% below 1990 emission level by 2050, and interim targets from 2006 emissions of 316,000 tons consistent with the Virginia Energy Plan, the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change, the Town of Blacksburg, and the federal administration: for 2012, 295,000 tons (on path to 2025 target); for 2025, 255,000 tons (2000 emission level); and for 2050, 38,000 tons (80% below 1990 emission level). Resolution #4: Virginia Tech will work toward these emission reduction targets through improved energy efficiency, reduction of energy waste, replacement of high‐carbon fuels, and other measures identified in the VTCAC&SP. Resolution #6: Virginia Tech will pursue LEED Silver certification or better and exceed ASHRAE 90.1 2004 energy performance by 35% (ASHRAE 90.1 2007 by 30%) for all new buildings and major renovations. Capital budgets should account for future energy price, cost of building operation, return on investment, and environmental benefits of achieving this level of performance. Resolution #7: Virginia Tech will improve electricity and heating efficiency of campus facilities and their operations, including the heating and cooling infrastructure and operation, lighting efficiency, controls and operation, and equipment efficiency and controls. Resolution #8: The university will adopt at least 4 reduction measures in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition. Virginia Tech Recycling will adopt a goal of 35% recycle rate by 2012 and 50% by 2025. Resolution #9: Virginia Tech will require purchase of Energy Star rated equipment, maximum practicable recycled‐content paper, and other low life‐cycle cost products, with exceptions for special uses. Resolution #11. Virginia Tech will improve transportation energy efficiency on campus through parking, fleet, and alternative transportation policies. Alternative transportation use will increase from the current level of 45%, to a goal of 52% in 2015, and 60% in 2020. Resolution #13. The university will monitor energy use and GHG emissions as well as changing internal and external conditions, prepare an annual 'report card' showing progress towards targets, and periodically reevaluate targets, making adjustments to targets as appropriate based on changing internal and external conditions and evolving technologies. Additional VTCAC Resolutions include: Resolution #1: Virginia Tech will be a Leader in Campus Sustainability. Resolution #2: The university will represent the VTCAC&SP in the Virginia Tech Strategic Plan. Resolution #5: Virginia Tech will establish an Office of Sustainability to a. Coordinate programs for campus sustainability, b. Oversee implementation of the VTCAC&SP, c. Monitor annual electricity and other energy use and GHG emissions, and d. Work with faculty and departments, manage a campus-wide student internship and undergraduate research program using the campus as a sustainability laboratory Resolution #10: Virginia Tech will engage students, faculty and staff through education and involvement to reduce consumption of energy, water, and materials in academic and research buildings, dining and residence halls, and other facilities. Resolution #12: The university will create and support a virtual Virginia Tech School of Sustainability or similar mechanism to coordinate, develop, and communicate related instructional, research, and outreach academic programs. Resolution #14: With regard to all the items in this resolution, major personnel and investment decisions, including capital projects, associated with implementing the VTCAC&SP will be based on a joint review of costs and benefits by university financial and facilities staff and be subject to availability of funds. Virginia Tech will provide funding to support sustainability programs through a variety of sources, which might include savings from reduced electricity and energy fuels, E&G funds, loans, a Green Development Fund from private sources, and a student Green Fee.

The Office of Energy and Sustainability is responsible for overseeing implementation of the VTCAC&SP. The Office of Energy and Sustainability has developed the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan “Status Report” spreadsheet, which tracks the progress of over 80 actions and measures identified for implementation in the Immediate Phase (2009-2012) of the VTCAC&SP. Additionally, the Office of Energy and Sustainability submits an Annual Report on Campus Sustainability at Virginia Tech which provides an update on the process of the VTCAC&SP goals. For the complete Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan Status Report, revised as of January 18, 2011, please see: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/vtcac_status.pdf To view the 2010 Annual Report on Campus Sustainability at Virginia Tech, please see: http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/2010_sust_report.asp