Renewable Energy 101 Highlights Clean Energy Leadership at Georgia Colleges

Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center

Atlanta, GA— Environment Georgia  released today “Renewable Energy 101”which details the ten major tools universities, local governments and the state could use to transition to 100% clean and renewable energy. The report presents examples from campuses across the state in categories such as recycling, energy efficiency, energy conservation, transportation and the implementation of renewable energies like geothermal and solar. 

“Sustainability teams at many of the nation’s leading colleges right here in Georgia have embraced phenomenal clean energy initiatives that are a great example for others,” said Channa Childs, Environment Georgia’s Clean Energy Fellow. “These important places are forward-thinking and their students and communities benefit from environmental actions, both big and small.”

The case studies have been crafted to illustrate the importance, challenges and opportunities of technologies and strategies associated with building a 100 percent clean, renewable energy system. For example, Georgia Tech’s Kendeda Building models several key strategies for clean energy like energy efficiency, waste reduction, passive design, and photovoltaic solar electricity production.

Shan Arora, Director of the Kendeda Building said, “The Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech demonstrates that a renewable energy future is feasible in our sunny state and can be achieved using local labor and materials – all of which are beneficial to our state’s environment and economy.”

Several other Georgia universities are highlighted in multiple segments of the report including Agnes Scott College, Emory, Georgia State University and Georgia Tech.

“Emory is proud to be among the network of leaders moving Georgia toward a 100% clean energy future,” Ciannat Howett, Director of Sustainability for Emory University and Emory Healthcare adds. “Emory’s commitment to climate solutions includes investment in clean energy such as solar, geothermal, combined heat and power, and a commitment to zero landfill waste with a current 70% diversion rate.”