November 3, 2006—Colleges and universities nationwide are getting a new learning tool in the form of a compliance assistance center that will help them understand and comply with environmental laws. The new center, which will also benefit grade schools, will be the 15th in a network of EPA-supported compliance assistance centers for various economic sectors.
Part of an agreement between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the center will provide online tools and information for improving environmental management on the nation’s 4,100 campuses.
The resources will address such typical campus operations as laboratories, art studios, utility generation and transmission plants, dormitories, and water distribution systems. An online virtual campus tour that will enable users to quickly and easily target priority issues will also be offered.
The environmental performance of colleges and universities is profiled in EPA’s 2006 Sector Strategies Performance Report (pages 23-28). The report highlights proactive programs at a number of schools to reduce air emissions, minimize waste, conserve water, and practice green construction.
