President Ron Cole ’87 discussed the role of sustainability recently in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, highlighting how it strengthens the campus community.
Allegheny College has been carbon neutral since 2020, the first higher education institution of its kind in the state. Sustainable action includes:
- Upgrading boilers, chillers, lighting, and water fixtures
- Insulating buildings
- Introducing geothermal heat pump systems
- Creating a composting facility
Energy costs in Pennsylvania especially exceed the national average. At Allegheny College, implementing sustainable practices has resulted in $8 million in cost savings for over a decade, and the campus is 23% more efficient based on the Using Engergy Use Intensity metric.
Committed to sustainability, these changes demonstrate resilience and the ability to adapt to change through creative solutions that not only generate profits but also make sense.
