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EPA Signs an Agreement with the University at Buffalo to Improve Environmental Sustainability

Release Date: 08/02/2011
Contact Information: John Martin, (212) 637-3662 martin.johnj@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has signed an agreement with the University at Buffalo that will expand the school’s environmental commitments. The university has agreed to enhance energy and water efficiency, reduce waste, and use green landscaping practices. The University of Buffalo is the largest school in the State University of New York system.

“The University at Buffalo has been a leader in education and research for years,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “With this agreement, it is distinguishing itself as an environmental leader. EPA encourages other large universities to look to SUNY Buffalo’s example as they increase their commitments to environmental stewardship.”

Under the agreement between the University at Buffalo and EPA, the university will:

• Continue to purchase a significant portion of its energy from renewable generation sources, including wind and solar energy. Register as an EnergyStar partner. Continue to be a partner in EPA’s Green Power Partnership program.
• Recycle organic materials and reuse landscape materials where possible. Utilize EPA’s GreenScapes program to reduce the need to replace landscaping materials and high maintenance plants.
• Assess its laboratories to reduce high energy use with the assistance of EPA’s Labs 21 program. Join EPA’s WasteWise program, incorporating several EPA programs, including: the Resource Conservation Challenge, to manage materials more efficiently; the Electronics Challenge, to recycle and avoid hazardous materials from entering landfills; and the Building Challenge, to recycle, reuse and reduce construction and demolition materials.
• Continue to pursue emission reduction strategies for its vehicle fleet, in line with the National Clean Diesel Campaign.
• Encourage students, faculty, staff and administrators to conserve water. Utilize EPA WaterSense products and follow WaterSense guidelines.

The university will submit a status report to EPA annually beginning September 1, 2011. The report will include an update on the various activities identified in this agreement.

EPA has similar agreements in place with the New York Jets and New York Giants for the new Meadowlands Stadium, the New York Mets for Citi Field stadium, the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J., St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y., and Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook, N.Y.

Any corporation or business venture interested in working with EPA on a Green MOU should visit the EPA Green Team Web Site at https://www.epa.gov/region02/greenteam/

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2

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