Abilene Christian University is now the largest college in Texas powered entirely with renewable energy, according to a new report by Environment Texas Research & Policy Center.
The report ranks colleges and universities across the country in key energy sustainability metrics. More than 40 currently obtain 100% of their electricity from renewable energy sources, according to the report, including three Texas institutions: Abilene Christian University, Southwestern University and Austin College.
The America’s Top Colleges for Renewable Energy 2020 report ranks campuses in three categories: shifting to renewable electricity, repowering buildings with clean energy and adopting electric vehicles. ACU is listed among the 42 institutions obtaining 100% or more of their electricity from renewable energy sources.
“College campuses are natural leaders when it comes to transitioning to 100 percent clean, renewable energy,” said Luke Metzger, executive director at Environment Texas Research & Policy Center. “As innovators and educators, institutions of higher learning can show the way toward a cleaner, healthier future. As our new report goes to show, many are already doing just that.”
ACU joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership in December 2019. The more than 25 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power used and generated annually by ACU is enough green power to meet the standard of 100% electricity use. This green power comes from Texas wind Renewable Energy Certificates. According to the EPA, Abilene Christian’s kWh is equal to the electricity used annually in more than 2,000 average American homes.
“ACU is committed to finding innovative ways to better manage our resources through lower energy consumption. I’m proud of how we have developed a university culture prioritizing more efficient facility operations while creating utility cost savings to increase funding for student programs,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU president. “Obtaining 100 percent renewable energy and our involvement with the EPA’s Green Power Partnership are important markers in the progress we’ve made toward placing a high value on stewardship and sustainability.”