Higher Ed Utah

(Jennie Christensen, Cache Valley Daily) — Utah State University has introduced a new Carbon Offset Program as an effort to support the university’s movement toward sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint. Nat Frazer, chairman of the USU Sustainability Council, says the program provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to contribute to the Carbon Offset Travel Fund to help mitigate the impact of their university-related travel.

He says faculty and staff will have a chance to donate $10 to the Carbon Offset Travel Fund by voluntarily deterring part of their travel reimbursement. A check-off box has been added to the existing form to make it easy for users to donate.

Frazer says the impetus for the drive comes from President Stan Albrecht’s signing the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007. He says funds will be used to lower carbon emissions from USU groundskeeping operations, which might include replacing smaller gasoline-powered lawnmowers with rechargeable electric mowers.

Another option is to replace large gasoline-powered riding mowers with propane powered models which emit less carbon and have lower operating costs. More…