The EPA’s Green Power Partnership program has named the top 30 colleges and universities in the U.S., representing the largest green power users among higher education institutions within the Partnership. It ranked TCC second in Texas, behind University of North Texas, and 25th nationally.
The six-campus district is using more than 57 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of its operations’ total power needs. TCC’s annual green power use of more than 57 million kWh is equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 5,000 average American homes. This green power comes from Green-e Certified U.S. Wind. “While some reductions contributing to TCC operating with 100 percent green power are COVID-19 related, the ranking illustrates our commitment to operating the college more sustainably,” said Walter Williams, TCC’s Director of Facilities Engineering.
The EPA defines green power as a subset of renewable energy that provides “the highest environmental benefit by reducing the emissions associated with traditional electricity sources.” Green power sources include wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power, according to the EPA.
The College’s choice to use green power helps advance the voluntary market for green power, as well as the development of those sources. By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, TCC and other Green Power Partners are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions including those related to ozone, fine particles, acid rain and regional haze.
“This list of the largest users of green power across the nation is proof that good business practices can also benefit the environment,” said James Critchfield, program manager of EPA’s Green Power Partnership. “EPA applauds the leading organizations in the Green Power Partnership’s Top Partner Rankings for their notable commitment to expanding their use of green power and protecting the environment.”
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that helps increase green power use among U.S. organizations to advance the American market for green power and development of those sources as a way to reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts associated with electricity use. In 2020, the Partnership had more than 700 Partners voluntarily using nearly 70 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies; small and medium sized businesses; local, state, and federal governments; and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.