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University of Central Oklahoma takes top green power honors

Release Date: 04/29/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

School is among 18 nationwide to be recognized by EPA for buying renewable energy

(Dallas, Texas - April 29, 2008) For the second year in a row, the University of Central Oklahoma has purchased more green energy than any other school in the Lone Star Conference. The school bought 26 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable power and earned top honors in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2007-2008 College & University Green Power Challenge.

“This year’s conference champions are leading the way and setting a great example for other colleges and universities across the nation,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “EPA applauds each one of them for their commitment to green energy and for protecting the environment.”

Since the spring of 2007, EPA has ranked collegiate athletic conferences by the total amount of green power bought by their member schools. To be eligible, each school in the conference had to qualify as an EPA Green Power Partner, and each conference had to collectively purchase at least 10 million kWh of green power. For added information on how your school can qualify as an EPA Green Power Partner, visit: https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/join/steps.htm.

The University of Central Oklahoma purchases 100 percent of its power from wind sources. It also has onsite biodiesel production, works with a performance contractor to increase its energy performance, and uses Energy Star-labeled products. The university’s green power buy is one of the largest by a college or university in the nation and has the equivalent environmental impact of avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of more than 3,700 vehicles.

Green power is produced from eligible resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. EPA's Green Power Partnership encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with traditional fossil fuel-based electricity use. The partnership includes a diverse set of organizations including Fortune 500 companies, small and medium businesses, government institutions as well as a growing number of colleges and universities.

Additional information on EPA's College & University Green Power Challenge is available at https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/initiatives/cu_challenge.htm.

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit https://www.epa.gov/region6.