The Finger Lakes Institute A Green Facility

1. The Finger Lakes Institute A Green Facility Sarah A. Meyer Community Outreach Coordinator

2. Efforts of the Finger Lakes Institute • To promote research • To educate • To create an awareness • To provide resources to learn • To foster environmentally-sound development practices • To share knowledge

3. The Greenhouse Effect

4. Signs of Climate Change in NY • Average annual temperatures are increasing • By 2100 temperatures in New York could increase about 4 degrees F in winter and spring, and slightly more in summer and fall (with a range of 2-8 degrees F) • Severe rainstorms are more frequent • Precipitation is projected to increase by 10-20% • Winters are shorter • Duration of ice cover is decreasing • Increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere –carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide …may be signs of climate change

5. Effect on the Finger Lakes • Water resources affected by precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind, and sunshine • Higher temperature increases evaporation and result in lower river flow and lake levels • If streamflow and lake level drop, groundwater could be reduced • Higher temperatures and lower flow could reduce water quality • Intense precipitation causes severe floods

6. CO2 Production • Gas produces 11 lbs. of CO2 per Therm • Electricity produces 1.4 lbs of CO2 per kWh Whole House Annual Energy Use for Geneva, NY produces 25,735 lb. of CO2 = About 12 tons In the Northern Hemisphere, an average tree will remove 1 ton of CO2 from the atmosphere over a 40 year period. 480 years for one tree to absorb! Not too many trees live that long! One acre of forest can remove and store about 19,000 lbs of CO2 each year. Start planting by the acre!

7. Removal of CO2 by Trees • All forests collect carbon dioxide (CO2) and store the carbon in the form of wood • The amount retained per acre per year depends on the vigor of the trees, the quality of the site, and the amount of disturbance or mortality each year • Comparison: Northeast, maple-beech-birch 1,760 lbs of CO2 per acre per year Northeast, white and red pine 9,826 lbs of CO2 per acre per year Northeast, Willow Tree Hybrids 10.7 tons CO2 per acre per year • Faster growing, produce more biomass per acre, per year are best!

8. How much do you weigh? • Alarm clock=88 kWh/yr • Coffee maker=100 kWh/yr • Toaster= 46 kWh/yr • Hair dryer= 182 kWh/yr • Aquarium= 4,380 kWh/yr • Personal computer =394 kWh/yr • TV= 21kWh/yr TOTAL: 5211 kWh/yr 7,295 lb. CO2 per year! It would take 144 years for one tree to absorb it all!

9. Solutions For residents, business leaders, and policymakers • Reduce heat-trapping gas emissions • Increase energy efficiency in buildings • Reduce dependency on coal-fired utilities • Switch to renewable energy sources, clean energy technologies • Increase vehicle fuel efficiency • And more…

10. Efforts made at the FLI… • Use of renewable energy sources • 80% wind energy • 20% solar energy • 100% Geothermal heating and cooling • Use of building materials that increase energy efficiency • Education, creating an awareness

11. History of Our Building • Built before the turn of the century as a college chapter house for Sigma Phi.  • Housed Sigma Phi until 1926 • Housed Lambda Phi from 1928-1934 • Housed Kappa Sigma from 1935-1951 or 1952 • Was vacant by 1955 • 1955 was sold by colleges and turned into apartments • By 1987, fell into disrepair; repossessed by city • In 1991, the Colleges purchased the building • Condemned until 2003 • Renovations began in Winter 2003 for the Finger Lakes Institute

12. Finger Lakes Institute Building A balance of historical renovation and energy conservation W’03 F’03 W’04

13. HWS Academic Efforts • John Halfman and Tom Drennen • Env. Studies 110 - Fall 2002 • More than 2 dozen students • Many members of Campus Greens • Proposed recommendations for energy conservation and sustainability in the FLI building • To rely solely on renewable resources

14. The Floor Plan Attic Second Floor Basement First Floor

15. Wind Energy • 80% of our power • Grind grain, pump water, generate electricity • Dependent on weather and location • Source Fenner Wind Power Facility, Madison County • Turbines lifted by wind, mechanical energy drives an electrical generator • Generated by farm, delivered to NiMo, transmitted to FLI • In 2003, HWS used 771,750 kWh of wind energy –offsetting 1 million pounds of CO2 from entering our atmosphere.

16. Solar Energy • 20% of our power • Clean, renewable, domestic • Power satellites, calculators, road signs, buoys, street lights, etc. • 24 solar photovoltaic panels installed today! • Converts sunlight directly into electricity • Leftovers? Sold back to power plant • No noise, no fuel use, no greenhouse gases produced

17. Geothermal Energy • 100% of our heating and cooling • Moves heat rather than converting chemical energy to heat • 20 wells, 100 feet deep, closed loop system • Uses earth’s constant temperature as a heat source or heat sink depending on the season House Temp. 68 Outside Temp 95 Ground Temp 55

18. Water Conservation • Interior • 1.6 gallon low flow toilets • On-demand mini hot water tanks • Exterior • Landscaping which retains moisture and reduces the need to irrigate • Highly decomposed mulch • High density growth turf • Composting yard waste • No alteration of shoreline • Use of slow release fertilizers

19. Energy Conservation • Interior • Installed compact fluorescent light bulbs • On-demand mini hot water tank • Motion detector lighting system • Use of Energy Star office equipment • Programmable thermostats (6) • Windows with insulating glass and low emissivity level • Efficient Insulation • Exterior • Retain shoreline forest to supply shade and shelter during harsh weather

20. Where Can you Conserve Energy?….AND Money!

21. Resource Conservation • Interior • Back deck floor made of synthetic lumber • Recycle bins –batteries, paper, cardboard, etc. • Use of recycled and recyclable office equipment • Furniture made from recycled materials, and environmentally friendly manufacturing

22. You can do your part… • Purchase Energy Star products • Turn lights out • Purchase wind power – blocks of 100 kWh • Promote the use and generation of renewable energy sources • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs • Lose some pounds…. of CO2!

23. Questions? http://fli.hws.edu/greenbuilding.asp