JCC Significantly Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Jefferson Community College (JCC) has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 41% exceeding its climate action goal five years early! This is according to the 2019 American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) report.

In 2008 under the leadership of retired President Carole A. McCoy, the EverGREEN Committee was formed at JCC to examine an array of environmental and climate issues important to the College campus and community. Dedicated to creating environmental awareness and leading climate and sustainability action, McCoy signed the ACUPCC, a national initiative of colleges and universities. In 2019 with the support of President Ty A. Stone, the EverGREEN Committee set a goal to reduce the College’s greenhouse gas emissions by 14% by the year 2025 using 2011 as its base point. While steps were taken to assist in reaching its goal, surprise remained to be seen when the College learned just how well it did. Co-chair of the EverGREEN Committee and Director of Facilities Bruce F. Alexander said the 41% reduction of Jefferson’s greenhouse gas emissions was achieved by “improved energy management strategies, participating in the BOCES solar consortium, buying renewable energy credits through the SUNY Energy Buying Group, NYSERDA Grants, education and outreach, capital projects and the work of the JCC EverGREEN committee!”

"I am very proud of our college and our staff for their commitment to the environment. By steeply reducing our college's carbon footprint, we do our part to preserve the natural beauty in our community," says Dr. Ty A. Stone, President. "When we work together to achieve a common goal, we all learn along the way and we all win."

Other achievements of the JCC EverGREEN Committee include, but are not limited to launching recycle centers in each building on JCC’s campus significantly reducing the College’s use of plastic bags, replacing traditional air conditioners with an ice chiller cooling system reducing use of electric, and annually coordinating trash removal events along Black River contributing to the improvement of the Eastern Great Lakes watershed.