Middlebury

 

Make Neutrality a Reality

Steps you can take

Explore Our Campus

Use this interactive map to explore sustainability features across the Middlebury campus.

Interactive, real-time data for energy use and solar production in the Franklin Environmental Center

Carbon Neutrality

With support from students, faculty, staff, and administrators, Middlebury set the ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2016. We aim to achieve neutrality through energy conservation and efficiency, renewable fuel sources, technology innovation, education, and as a last option, the purchase of carbon offsets.

Each year we conduct a greenhouse gas inventory, tracking emissions from five sources: heating and cooling, college-funded travel, waste, electricity, and college-owned vehicles. In order to reach our goal we need to reduce emissions associated with these sources.

Read the Spring 2011 carbon neutrality update from the Director of Sustainability.

What is Middlebury doing to reduce our carbon footprint?

Biomass

50% reduction in #6 fuel oil annually (1,000,000 gallons); saves $700,000 per year.

  • Cuts Middlebury’s carbon dioxide output by 40%, or 12,500 metric tons annually.
  • Installation of high-efficiency motors, pumps, fans, and lighting avoided a 108,700 kWh per year increase in electric bill.
Efficiency
  • Total cost of 2009 efficiency upgrades: $159, 320
  • Annual cost savings: $104,410
  • Annual kWh savings: 257,800 kWh/yr

Projects include: Heat recovery system in the biomass plant;  Roof insulation in McCullough Hall; Energy Star kitchen equipment in Proctor Hall; High-efficiency lighting in Robert A. Jones House.
Design

New master plan sets rigorous sustainable design standards for construction and major renovations.
Wind
  • 10 kW wind turbine at recycling center.
  • Considering partnership with Vermont wind company, NRG, to expand on student data and study potential for wind power at Snow Bowl.
Solar thermal

Middlebury installed two different solar thermal systems at a student house.  Even in a northern climate, this technology is a very efficient and cost effective method for heating water.
Snow Bowl

In 2006 became first carbon neutral ski area in the country, purchasing carbon offsets from Vermont based Native Energy.