NCC Goes 100% Renewable

Change will make NCC the largest community college consumer of green power in the nation

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BETHLEHEM, PA (10/16/2018) Northampton Community College (NCC) took a big step toward leading the Lehigh Valley on climate action by committing to purchase 100 percent of its electricity from renewable wind energy sources by the end of 2018 for its Bethlehem sites. According to the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) Green Power Partnership, this change will make NCC the largest community college consumer of green power in the nation.

"This is an important part of our overall environmental and energy conservation effort that strives to reduce our carbon footprint and minimize energy use and costs," said Mark Culp, director, facilities and public safety. The move is expected to save the college more than $135,000 annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 70 percent.

NCC joins Lewis & Clark Community College, Raritan Valley Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, and five others as environmental leaders in the country.

In Pennsylvania, NCC is keeping company with other green college leaders like Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University, Gettysburg College, Dickinson College, University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University in making the switch to renewable electricity.

The move to green power was identified as a priority of the college by the Board of Trustees, the Sustainability Committee, and the Ten-Year Environmental & Energy Conservation Plan of March 2018.

This is not the first time NCC has been recognized as an environmental leader. The college's Monroe Campus, located in Tannersville, is Gold LEED certified for environmental sustainability. It was one of only nine colleges in the country to be named as a Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, in recognition of NCC's stewardship of the environment and leadership in environmental education.

The Campus has geothermal heating and cooling system, large solar panels over the parking lots, a wind turbine, and native vegetation that reduces the amount of storm water runoff generated by the campus, just to name a few of its environmentally-friendly features.

About Northampton Community College
With an enduring commitment to the regional community it serves and a focus on student success, Northampton Community College has developed a reputation as an institution of extraordinary distinction, earning accolades at the state and national levels for innovative programs, outstanding faculty and impressive student achievements. It counts among its successful alumni a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and an Academy Award winning director as well as a host of CEOs, presidents, and leaders of business and industry. Today, Northampton Community College has locations in Bethlehem, Southside Bethlehem, Easton, and Monroe County, serving 30,000 students each year from 53 counties, 42 countries and 25 states. For more information, or to apply, please visit www.northampton.edu.