Michigan State University and the University of California system have been named recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Leadership Award.
The two education institutions were among 10 Green Power Partners honored by the EPA at its 18th annual leadership awards.
Both Michigan State and the University of California were honored in the Direct Project Engagement Category. The awards recognize organizations, programs, and individuals that significantly advance the development of green power sources.
Michigan State University in East Lansing was recognized for hosting the largest solar photovoltaic carport system in the United States.
MSU also has installed an innovative anaerobic digestion system, which was the largest of its kind on a college campus when created. The system turns dairy farm and dining hall food waste into renewable energy.
The EPA also saluted Michigan State for its leadership and effective communications about its green power projects, and its commitment to green power innovation.
The University of California (UC) system, with 10 campuses, was recognized for increasing its voluntary green power use systemwide by 40 percent. It has completed 12 new onsite solar projects located at UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and the UC Path Center in Riverside.
The university system has more than 40 megawatts of onsite solar capacity and has photovoltaic systems on every campus. It aims to become the first major research university system to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025.
