Measure H project construction on the Santa Rosa Junior College campuses and new student services has led to improved sustainability from technological advancements, transportation access and waste reduction, according to SRJC’s 2022 Annual Sustainability Report released Feb. 14.
The report, released by SRJC Energy & Sustainability Manager David Liebman, offered an update and overview of sustainability progress in 2022 on the Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Shone Farm campuses.
Bond Measure H
The Measure H bond, passed in 2014, was meant to implement new and updated technologies, specifically energy and sustainability projects. The budget of the program is $35.3 million.
“With every Measure H project, sustainable features are incorporated into the renovation, design and construction,” said Serafin Fernandez, senior director of capital projects.
Measure H energy and sustainability projects include: Advance submetering at the Public Safety Training Center and Petaluma campus; electrical submetering, a geothermal exchange field and the Quinn Central Plant at the Santa Rosa Campus; and LED lighting and advance lighting controls and photovoltaic arrays at the Santa Rosa, Shone Farm and Petaluma campuses.
Photovoltaic Solar Arrays
Photovoltaic arrays will save the district over $1 million in energy costs per year. We are seeing the most impact from these solar panels at Shone Farm, which will generate 90% of the campus’s energy usage.
Quinn Central plant
The Quinn Central Plant will provide high-efficiency heating and cooling to Bailey Hall, Maggini Hall, Barnett Hall and Tauzer Gymnasium on the Santa Rosa campus along with the new Olympic-size pool at the Quinn Aquatic Center. The electric boiler will significantly reduce natural gas usage, the press release said.
Through the $11.7 million project, a new reclaimed water tank was installed “to help the college reduce its potable water consumption by close to twenty percent,” Liebman said.
Clipper BayPass – Sustainable Transportation
The Clipper BayPass project began in Fall 2022 and will continue through the Summer 2024. This project allows currently enrolled students to get a Clipper BayPass free of charge. The Clipper BayPass provides transportation on all bus, rail and ferry services in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area region on lines where the passes are accepted.
Water Bottle Refilling Stations
SRJC has installed water bottle refilling stations which will reduce plastic water bottle waste and ensure students and faculty have access to clean and filtered water.
