University of Kansas joins EPA Green Power Partnership


LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has a long-held commitment to sustainability that aims to reduce the overall fossil fuel consumption on campus. In line with this mission, the university recently joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership in an effort to increase the development and use of green power in the American energy market.

With its expansive plains, Kansas is one of the largest producers of wind energy in the country. Through Evergy’s Renewables Direct program, KU’s energy needs are largely offset by wind energy harnessed at the Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center in Nemaha County and the Ponderosa Wind Farm in Balko, Oklahoma. By investing in this abundant renewable resource, KU supported the generation of more than 107 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in 2021 alone, which offset 85% of the university’s 2021 electricity use.

“We are excited to be recognized by the EPA for our use of wind energy. By committing to renewable energy, KU reduced carbon emissions, which is crucial for climate action and resiliency,” said Cassidy Kuhn, KU Energy Program manager.

By leading the way in the voluntary green power market, KU 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.

According to the EPA, KU’s green power offsets are equivalent to the electricity used by more than 10,000 average American homes annually.

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that helps increase renewable power use among U.S. organizations to reduce both air pollution and other harmful byproducts of electricity use that result in worldwide environmental impacts. In 2020, the Green Power Partnership had more than 700 partners voluntarily using nearly 70 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually.

KU will continue to prioritize a reduction in fossil fuel use on campus by honoring a commitment to a sustainable future through the purchase of renewable energy, as well as energy conservation, efficiency and other measures.

Wed, 03/09/2022

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David Day

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