In 2007, Holyoke Community College (HCC) became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Under this commitment, HCC has agreed to complete ongoing inventories of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to guide the College down a path toward carbon neutrality. The goal has been established to become carbon neutral by 2060. 

The College’s CAP was published in November of 2012.  HCC has made strides towards achieving the goals set forth in the CAP, and has plans to continue their efforts. In addition to various campus sustainability initiatives such as recycling and public transportation improvements, HCC is implementing a campus-wide energy retrofit project, planning for multiple capital improvements to some of the main campus buildings, and exploring a renewable energy power purchase agreement.

As part of the Accelerated Energy Program, the State’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) launched a new Towards Zero Net Energy (TZNE) Retrofit program at select pilot facilities to help them achieve deeper facility energy savings and implement renewable energy systems.  HCC is one of these TZNE pilot facilities.

• Development of Energy Saving Projects
• Energy Use Dashboard
• TZNE