News

Commonwealth presents environmental leadership award to Salem State

For successfully reducing energy and water use, promoting recycling and renewable energy, and taking other major steps to improve overall environmental quality at public facilities, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts today presented its annual "Leading by Example" award to Salem State College during a ceremony at the Statehouse.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Phil Giudice, State Purchasing Agent Ellen Bickelman and Senate President Therese Murray presented the award to two state agencies, two state colleges, and three municipalities.  

Salem State received praise for "retro-commissioning" a building on its Central Campus to cut energy costs; meeting Leadership in Energy and Efficiency Design (LEED) requirements for an interim library; planting "native" beds on the grounds of its Central Campus that will decrease the use of water for irrigation, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers; working with nonprofit Salem Sound Coastwatch to create long term stewardship of  a nine-acre acre tidal marsh area on college property; and purchasing 3.5 million kWh per year of Renewable Energy Certificates to help offset its carbon emissions.

The college, which is recognized by the EPA as a "Green Power Partner," also completed installation of solar panels at its Central Campus residence hall and is building a new residence hall to LEED gold certification.

Salem State received additional praise for its green building assessment program which was featured in an article in American School and University magazine.

Established in 1854 as Salem Normal School, Salem State is a comprehensive, publicly supported institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. The college enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing 27 states and 65 nations, and is one of the largest state colleges in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.