The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Sustainability and Facilities teams have won the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award for 2018.
The Maryland Green Registry Leadership Awards recognize organizations that have shown a strong commitment to the implementation of sustainable practices, the demonstration of measurable results, and the continual improvement of environmental performance. The winners represent a variety of facility types and sizes, but all have several key factors in common that contribute to their success: an organization-wide commitment to environmental performance, a green team that meets on a regular basis, annual environmental goals and measurement of results.
“Smart people plus teamwork across four campuses and constant innovation equals environmental benefits and cost savings,” said UMCES President Peter Goodwin. “Great job by the UMCES staff in ensuring a beautiful environment that Maryland is proud of.”
The 2018 Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award awards were presented on June 28 by Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles at an evening networking event at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. Winners included the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, City of Bowie, Johns Hopkins University, Pearlstone Center, and Volvo Group Trucks.
“The organizations we are honoring are true leaders in showing the way toward an environmentally sustainable future and a thriving economy in Maryland," said Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment. "The two go hand in hand – shown by the more than $107 million in annual savings for Green Registry members.”
The UMCES Environmental Sustainability Council includes faculty, staff, and students who assess the sustainability of its four research labs and guide the development and implementation of the Center’s climate action plan.
“This award recognition really is the culmination of all operations and sustainability members’ often times quiet, unrecognized yet significant work for the ongoing sustainable operations in all labs,” said Ray Cho, Director of Facilities Administration at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
Achievements at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science include:
Climate Commitment
UMCES is a signatory of the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment, which commits institutions of higher learning to develop and implement action plans to achieve carbon neutrality. In working toward this goal, UMCES has implemented building system upgrades, such as the new geothermal HVAC system at its Center Administration building in Cambridge, Maryland, green construction project, such as the new R.V. Truitt Laboratory building at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, and the generation of on-site renewable energy at a 2MW solar field at the Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge.
Energy Efficiency
UMCES has reduced energy usage at its four research laboratories (Appalachian Laboratory, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Horn Point Laboratory, and the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology) through a variety of measures, including energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, occupancy sensors on lighting and fume hoods, and by maximizing existing space. The new, upgraded R.V. Truitt Laboratory building includes energy efficient building features and cooling systems that were designed to achieve a 28% energy savings.
Renewable Energy
The Horn Point Laboratory campus in Cambridge, Maryland, has installed a 10-acre, 11,000 solar panel installation that produces and average of 3,750 MWh of electric power annually, more than half of the power consumed by the campus. A solar parking canopy also provides access to four electric vehicle charging stations.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is a leading research and educational institution with a network of laboratories and scientists across the state that provide sound advice to state and national leaders in management the environmental while preparing future scientists to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
