Episode 32: Resilient Campuses, Resilient Communities with Cal State - Chico and Central Community College

Cheri Chastain, Sustainability Programs Manager, Cal State-Chico, Gayle Hutchinson, President, Cal State-Chico, and Ben Newton, Environmental Sustainability Director, Central Community College

Cheri Chastain, Sustainability Programs Manager, Cal State-Chico, Gayle Hutchinson, President, Cal State-Chico, and Ben Newton, Environmental Sustainability Director, Central Community College

Guests:
Cheri Chastain

Sustainability Programs Manager, California State University - Chico Company

Gayle Hutchinson
President, California State University - Chico

Ben Newton
Environmental Sustainability Director, Central Community College

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.


Climate change spares no city, town or state from new, and often threatening, environmental challenges. How are campuses responding to natural disaster in ways that keep their students and communities safe? What plans are they making to prepare for an uncertain future?

In this episode, host Dave Karlsgodt talks with Cheri Chastain and Gayle Hutchinson of California State University - Chico and Ben Newton of Central Community College about these questions. You’ll hear their stories about dealing with fires, floods and truck-sized icebergs, and how these events have shaped their campuses as they look ahead to the next “unnatural disaster”.

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Episode Transcript:

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Episode 32: Resilient Campuses, Resilient Communities - Transcript

Episode 14: Solar Carport and Energy Transition at Michigan State University

Wolfgang Bauer (left); Gary Farha (right); Solar Carport Installation at MSU (bottom)

Wolfgang Bauer (left); Gary Farha (right);
Solar Carport Installation at MSU (bottom)

Guests:
Wolfgang Bauer
University Distinguished Professor and Associate Vice President for Administrative Services
Michigan State University

Gary Farha
Founder, President and CEO
CustomerFirst Renewables

Host: Dave Karlsgodt

The focus of this episode is a large, on-site solar carport installation that recently came online on MSU’s campus. At the time it came online, this was the largest carport solar installation in the United States.  As background, Wolfgang shares the rich history of the MSU energy system dating back to the 19th century. We discuss the role of MSU’s Energy Transition Plan as a catalyst for this project. This plan lays out aggressive goals for the use of renewable energy and the reduction of GHG emissions.  We talk through the decision-making process that led up to this project and end by discussing possible next steps in MSU’s energy transition.

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Episode Transcript:

The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here:

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Episode 14: Solar Carport and Energy Transition at Michigan State University - Transcript

Episode 13: The Challenges and Opportunities of Aggressive Climate Action

The panel at CHESC 2018 (Left to right) Tyler Durchslag-Richardson, Fletcher Alexander, Lindsey Kalkbrenner, Eric Eberhardt, Dave Karlsgodt

The panel at CHESC 2018 (Left to right) Tyler Durchslag-Richardson, Fletcher Alexander, Lindsey Kalkbrenner, Eric Eberhardt, Dave Karlsgodt

Guests:
Eric Eberhardt
Director of Energy Services
Energy & Facilities Management Services
University of California, Office of the President
Lindsey Kalkbrenner
Director, Sustainability, University Operations
Director, Center for Sustainability
Santa Clara University
Fletcher Alexander
Sustainability Programs Manager, Institute for Sustainable Development
California State University, Chico
Tyler Durchslag-Richardson
Senior Analyst, Facilities Services and Integrated Planning
California Institute of Technology
Host: Dave Karlsgodt, Principal, Fovea, LLC

This episode was recorded live on July 10th at the 2018 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC) which took place on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dave Karlsgodt moderated the session: “The Challenges and Opportunities of Aggressive Climate Action.” Panelists from a cross-section of California institutions answered questions about their climate action efforts.  You’ll hear both success stories from these leading institutions, but also some honest discussion on where they have more work to do. Topics include the nature of their climate action strategies, making the business case for sustainable practices, the dual role of higher ed. to lead and to educate, carbon neutrality, 100% renewable energy and more.  Audience members bring up some challenging questions including how to consider equity, social justice, and the stratification of resources to address these challenges.  The discussion includes a combination of inspiring success stories and honest self-reflection from sustainability professionals working in the trenches.

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Episode Transcript:

The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here:

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https://www.campusenergypodcast.com/episode-13-transcript