Austin Community College District (ACC) is among the top colleges and universities in Texas to promote sustainable, green energy. Two ACC campuses \u2014 the ACC Round Rock and Elgin campuses now use 100 percent clean, renewable electricity making ACC the first community college district in Texas to switch over some of its campuses entirely to wind and solar power. The efforts began summer 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cACC is committed to becoming a leader in sustainability. That means using less energy and fewer resources while minimizing waste,\u201d says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC chancellor. \u201cOur goal is to shrink the college\u2019s ecological footprint and increase environmental awareness. Austin Community College District has set the goal of becoming a Zero Waste by 2040 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050 while continuing to grow to meet the demand for ACC programs and services.\u201d<\/p>\n
ACC launched its 100 percent renewable energy program with the Texas General Land Office. The college is looking to expand the program to all of its campuses to implement 100 percent renewable energy districtwide. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have some good news for a change. With solar energy systems installed on eight campuses, ACC was already a leader within Texas for renewable energy and sustainability,\u201d says Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas Research and Policy Center. \u201cNow, by moving two of its campuses completely off of fossil fuels, ACC is significantly reducing its carbon footprint and helping ensure a safer, more livable climate for our community. Go Riverbats!\u201d<\/p>\n
The college is the largest solar operator other than a utility provider in Central Texas. Other green initiatives at the college include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n
The blueprint for implementing collegewide sustainability reforms was created in 2009 by the ACC Board of Trustees. That same year, ACC joined the American College and University Presidents\u2019 Climate Commitment, now known as The Presidents\u2019 Climate Leadership Commitments, and agreed to take action to move the college toward climate neutrality.<\/p>\n
For more information about ACC\u2019s sustainability and green initiatives, visit austincc.edu\/sustainability<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Austin Community College District (ACC) is among the top colleges and universities in Texas to promote sustainable, green energy. Two ACC campuses \u2014 the ACC Round Rock and Elgin campuses now use 100 percent clean, … Continue reading