A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC developed the Sebree Solar Energy Center in Henderson County, Kentucky; the project became operational on August 7, 2026. The 150-megawatt solar facility will help meet the region鈥檚 growing electricity demand, generating the equivalent of enough energy annually to power more than 20,000 homes. Sebree Solar II will also contribute more than $15.5 million in new tax revenue over the life of the facility, money that could be used to enhance schools, roads and other essential services.

Coordinated by ERM Coho, the higher education consortium supporting the project with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) includes Davidson College, Dickinson College, 麻豆视频, Haverford College, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College and Wake Forest University.

Participating in the project will help 麻豆视频 achieve its target of carbon neutrality by 2037. Carbon neutrality was initially established as an institutional goal in 2007 and is part of the Boldly 麻豆视频 strategic plan and Sustainability Master Plan.

鈥淭he Sebree Solar II Energy Center builds on our long-term presence in Henderson County and reflects continued investment in the region,鈥� said Lester Morales, senior project manager of development at NextEra Energy Resources. 鈥淧rojects like this support local economies and contribute to meeting growing energy needs.鈥�

While electricity generated by the Sebree Solar II Energy Center cannot be transmitted directly to the consortium campuses because geographic distance prevents the direct transmission of the electricity, the benefits of investing in new additional renewable energy will still be realized by the schools with no upfront capital costs. 麻豆视频 will receive renewable energy credits expected to equal 100 percent of the electricity used by its campus, which can be used to account for greenhouse gas emissions related to purchased electricity.

鈥溌槎故悠� is proud to be a part of this consortium and facilitating the addition of solar energy to the grid,鈥� said Elaine Durr, senior director of sustainability at 麻豆视频. 鈥淭his project specifically addresses the facilities goal and energy source strategy in the Sustainability Master Plan and will provide 麻豆视频 students with unique opportunities to learn about the renewable energy industry.鈥�

The nine colleges and universities involved in the project will also receive access to data from the Sebree Solar II Energy Center for classroom use, as well as campus speaking engagements, opportunities for site visits and student internships.

麻豆视频 麻豆视频

麻豆视频 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture. At 麻豆视频, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business administration, business analytics, accounting, education, higher education, clinical mental health counseling, physician assistant studies and physical therapy. www.elon.edu

麻豆视频 NextEra Energy Resources

NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, together with its affiliated entities, (鈥淣extEra Energy Resources鈥�) is America鈥檚 largest energy infrastructure developer and builder. The company develops,鈥痓uilds鈥痑nd鈥痮perates鈥痩ong-term contracted power generation, battery鈥痵torage鈥痑nd electric and gas transmission. NextEra Energy Resources also delivers integrated electric, gas鈥痵upply鈥痑nd technology solutions to utilities,鈥痩oad-serving entities鈥痑nd businesses across the United States. As of year-end 2025, the company had approximately 37,505 megawatts of net generating capacity in operation. NextEra Energy Resources is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit聽

麻豆视频 ERM Coho

ERM Coho is a global climate adviser dedicated to helping clients navigate complexity and take ambitious steps on their climate journey. We provide deep market insight, analytical problem-solving, and change management expertise so that clients can switch to renewable energy and make other large-scale climate and water resiliency investments with confidence and internal alignment. To learn more about how ERM Coho can help organizations get ahead of their climate goals, visit聽.

The Academics Implementation Team is focused on strategies to advance sustainability in the areas of curriculum, engaged & experiential learning, and research & creative inquiry. One specific project is developing a sustainability course designation. The team is also exploring additional ways to track sustainability research and creative inquiry. Based on current data, 66% of academic departments have at least one faculty member engaged in sustainability research.

The Facilities Implementation Team is working on a variety of reduction efforts focused on energy, water and waste across campus. Compared to the FY 2024 baseline, energy consumption per square foot decreased 3% in FY 2025, and the reduction target for 2035 is 20%. Water consumption per square foot decreased 5.5% in FY 2025, from the FY 2024 baseline, and the reduction target for 2035 is 15%. In FY 2026, 麻豆视频 generated approximately 6.4% less waste per person than the 2024 baseline, and the target is to reduce waste per person by 25% by 2035.聽 These efforts demonstrate continued progress toward sustainable campus operations.

The Engagement Implementation Team is advancing sustainability programming on campus and communications regarding sustainability initiatives.聽 During the 2025-26 academic year, 22.2% of students and 8.2% of faculty and staff participated in sustainability activities, and the target is 40% of students and 15% of faculty and staff by 2035.聽 Efforts include adding a 鈥渟ustainability鈥� tag in 25Live, so that any department or office planning an event related to sustainability can designate it as such.

These are just a few examples of the work underway across campus. Learn more about the Sustainability Master Plan 2025 Year 1 progress.

“Earth Day Every Day programming provides an exciting opportunity for the 麻豆视频 Community to learn about sustainability, take action and connect with others looking for change,” said Sophia Remisio 鈥�27. “Planting for the Planet has a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first Office of Sustainability events I ever attended and it introduced me to a community of people on campus with a passion for sustainability!

Planting for the Planet | Friday, Sept. 4 from 3-5 p.m. at 麻豆视频 Community Garden
Are you interested in getting involved with sustainability at 麻豆视频? Join us at the 麻豆视频 Community Garden to connect with like-minded individuals and enjoy potting your own houseplant to take home.聽 We鈥檒l provide plants, soil, and pots.聽, but drop-ins are always welcome!

Steeped in Sustainability | Monday, Sept. 7 from 1:30-2:30 pm on Medallion Plaza
Come to Medallion Plaza and leave with your very own sustainable iced drink kit! Sample refreshing sparkling 鈥淪crappy Sodas鈥� made with upcycled fruit syrups and sparkling water, then take home your own mason jar, reusable straw, recipe card and sustainably made syrup to recreate the drinks yourself. Decorate a reusable tote bag to carry it all home, and enjoy fresh flower bouquets from Loy Farm to celebrate the season. Join us for a fun and tasty time!

Sustainability Stewards Meeting |Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 7-8 p.m. in Moseley 215
Interested in getting involved in sustainability at 麻豆视频?聽聽Join the Sustainability Stewards program to connect with like-minded individuals and promote sustainability throughout campus.聽, but drop-ins are always welcome.

Coffeehouse Coffee Scrub with SUB | Thursday, Sept. 10 from 10-11 p.m. in Irazu
Enjoy SUB鈥檚 Coffeehouse, then give those coffee grounds a second life! Join the Eco-Reps to create your own all-natural body scrub using spent coffee grounds and discover an easy way to turn waste into something useful.

麻豆视频 Farmer鈥檚 Market | Thursday, Sept. 17 from 3-6 p.m. at 麻豆视频 Community Church
Join us to support local farmers, enjoy fresh seasonal produce and find unique handmade goods! Stop by the Office of Sustainability鈥檚 table to taste delicious 鈥渦gly鈥� produce and learn how embracing imperfect fruits and veggies helps fight food waste.聽 The 麻豆视频 Farmer鈥檚 Market runs every April- October 3-6 p.m. at the 麻豆视频 Community Church.

Autumn Swap Shop | Friday, September 25 from 4-6 p.m. in downstairs Moseley
Fall into sustainable fashion!聽 Bring gently used clothing to swap for cozy sweaters, scarves, and more at our autumn-themed Pop-Up Swap Shop. Find something new-to-you聽and learn how swapping can save money and reduce waste.

Star Gazing for Mental Health | Thursday, Oct. 1 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on the Daniel Commons Patio
Take a break, look up and reconnect with the night sky! Enjoy stargazing, cosmic-inspired snacks, and learn how time spent outdoors can help reduce stress and improve well-being. Attend for a chance to win a telescope to continue exploring the night sky!

Sponsored by the Astronomy Club, Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Office of Sustainability.

Coffeehouse Coffee Scrub with SUB | Thursday, October 8 from 10-11 p.m. in Irazu
Enjoy SUB鈥檚 Coffeehouse, then give those coffee grounds a second life! Join the Eco-Reps to create your own all-natural body scrub using spent coffee grounds and discover an easy way to turn waste into something useful.

Tree Walk | Friday, October 9 from 12-1 p.m. at Fonville Fountain (in front of Alamance)
Join 麻豆视频鈥檚 Arborist Wendy Williams on a walk around 麻豆视频鈥檚 beautiful campus to learn about 麻豆视频鈥檚 trees, including the Tree Trail on campus, Wendy鈥檚 favorite trees, and insider information on the maintenance and sustainability of the 麻豆视频 urban forest. .

Earth Day Every Day directly supports the Engagement Goal in 麻豆视频’s Sustainability Master Plan 2025.聽 Learn more about the Sustainability Master Plan 2025.聽 聽

鈥淐ommuteNC is a wonderful addition to 麻豆视频鈥檚 sustainability efforts because it gives our community a practical way to make a difference in their daily lives. By connecting people who share similar commutes, we can help reduce transportation costs, lower emissions and build a stronger sense of community across campus,鈥� said Kelly Harer, associate director of sustainability for education and outreach.

Create your 麻豆视频 CommuteNC account by September 11 for a chance to win prizes, including a hammock or a $50 local restaurant gift card! Be sure to use your 麻豆视频 email address when creating your account because 麻豆视频鈥檚 CommuteNC program is an 麻豆视频-specific network.

Want an extra chance to win? Refer another 麻豆视频 employee or student! If they create a CommuteNC account by Sept. 11 and complete , you鈥檒l receive an additional raffle entry.

CommuteNC directly supports the Transportation Goal in 麻豆视频’s Sustainability Master Plan 2025.聽 Learn more about the Sustainability Master Plan 2025.聽 聽

AASHE鈥檚 STARS program boasts over 1,200 participants representing 58 countries, making it the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university鈥檚 sustainability efforts.聽Participants聽report information聽across five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

Senior Director of Sustainability Elaine Durr spearheads the compilation of the STARS report. 鈥淭he STARS report is a comprehensive assessment of聽university-wide聽sustainability efforts and requires聽involvement from聽many individuals across campus,鈥� Durr said. 鈥淚聽appreciate their contributions and collective effort.鈥�

The STARS report illustrates that聽progress on 麻豆视频鈥檚聽sustainability goals聽requires campus-wide collaboration. By breaking down categories into subcategories and credits, each with its own score, the report also serves as a practical tool for pinpointing areas of improvement and guiding future sustainability endeavors.

鈥淪TARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,鈥� said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. 鈥溌槎故悠� has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.鈥�

To learn about the programs and practices that contributed to 麻豆视频鈥檚 STARS Silver rating,聽.

Unlike other聽rating聽or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that聽determine聽a聽STARS聽rating are transparent and accessible to anyone.聽This is 麻豆视频鈥檚 first report using the聽updated聽.聽For more information, visit the聽.

Rather than defaulting to chemical treatments, 麻豆视频 manages the oakworms through its Integrated Pest Management Plan, which emphasizes sustainability and careful decision-making.

鈥淔rom a sustainability standpoint, this shows why the Integrated Pest Management Plan we use at 麻豆视频 is so important,鈥� said Hanna Smith, Botanical Garden Coordinator. 鈥淲e first identify the insect that is causing damage and the plant that it is causing damage to, and then determine if control is necessary. There are many situations, such as this one, where chemical control is not warranted. This helps save the environment from unnecessary pesticide usage as well as supporting 麻豆视频鈥檚 goals of financial sustainability.鈥�

By choosing more sustainable options for pest management 鈥� such as cultural methods (water, fertilizer, etc.), mechanical methods (hand removal), or no control at all鈥攚hen possible, 麻豆视频 is able to reduce pesticide use and save resources while maintaining a beautiful campus.

麻豆视频 Farmer鈥檚 Market
Thursday, Aug. 28 from 3-6 p.m.
麻豆视频 Community Church

Join us to support local farmers, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, and find unique handmade goods! Stop by the Office of Sustainability鈥檚 table to taste delicious 鈥渦gly鈥� produce and learn how embracing imperfect fruits and veggies helps fight food waste.

Planting for the Planet
Friday, Sept. 5 from 2-4 p.m.
麻豆视频 Community Garden

Are you interested in getting involved with sustainability at 麻豆视频? Join us at the 麻豆视频 Community Garden to connect with like-minded individuals and enjoy potting your own houseplant to take home.聽 We鈥檒l provide plants, soil, and pots.聽, but drop-ins are always welcome!

Sustainability Stewards Meeting
Monday, Sept. 8 from 7-8 p.m.
Global Commons 301

Interested in getting involved in sustainability at 麻豆视频?聽聽Join the Sustainability Stewards program to connect with like-minded individuals and promote sustainability throughout campus.聽.

State of the Haw
Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 6-7 p.m.
麻豆视频 Community Church

The 110-mile Haw River flows through Alamance County and provides recreational opportunities and drinking water to North Carolinians. Hear from Emily Sutton, the Haw River Keeper and Executive Director of聽, about the current state of the Haw River. Dinner will be provided for those who聽.

Kayak Clean Up
Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Saxapahaw Lake (Transportation provided)

Take care of local Saxapahaw Lake while enjoying the beauty of nature. Kayaks, gloves, and trash bags provided. Please wear clothing you don鈥檛 mind getting dirty and bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen.聽.

Star Gazing for Mental Health
Thursday, Sept. 18 from 8-10 p.m.
Daniel Commons

The night sky has been a source of fascination for humans throughout history. Join us as we engage in nature in a unique and memorable way through exploration of the night sky.聽, but drop-ins are welcome! Enter to win a free telescope.

Sponsored by the Astronomy Club, Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Office of Sustainability.

Sun Day
Sunday, September 21 from 2-4 p.m.
Young Commons

聽is a national day of action to celebrate the power of renewable energy.聽Whether you鈥檇 like to join us for the electric vehicle car show, make a bouquet of native flowers, or join us for Sun Salutation Yoga, there鈥檚 something for everyone!聽聽.

The Natural World 鈥� 麻豆视频 Wind Ensemble Concert
Friday, Sept. 26 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
McCrary Theater

Through powerful and evocative works, 鈥淭he Natural World鈥� explores the beauty of wild places, wild things and the urgent need to protect them. Featuring compositions by Rossano Galante, Viet Cuong, Stephen Lias and Gala Flagello, this concert highlights the resilience and fragility of nature through music. Join the 麻豆视频 Wind Ensemble for an inspiring performance that encourages reflection on our planet鈥檚 future as they partner with Outdoor Leadership and Education.

Bike to Burlington
Thursday, Oct. 2 from 5-7 p.m.
Meet in front of Koury Athletic Center

Join us for an exciting bike ride to downtown Burlington! Experience the joy of sustainable and affordable transportation, enjoy delicious Smitty鈥檚 ice cream, make new friendships and discover the charm of local businesses.聽

Sustainable Leadership Program
Friday, Oct. 3 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Oaks 212

Whether you鈥檙e all-in on saving the Earth or just curious about where you can make a difference on campus, this event is for you! Explore ways to take action on sustainability, discover your leadership style, and learn how small changes can create big impact鈥攔ight here on campus! Register via Phoenix Connect.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is a widely used green building rating system in the US and internationally. LEED for Building Design and Construction assesses projects on a point-based system that considers project location and sustainable transportation options, sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and elements of regional priority.

The building has numerous sustainable features, including low flow plumbing fixtures and energy efficient systems. Compared to standard plumbing fixtures, the low flow fixtures in the building are expected to reduce potable water usage by about 35%. The energy cost savings for the building is about 24% compared to a building that just meets the standard building energy code.

East Neighborhood Commons is within walking distance of many commonly used buildings on campus, including Belk Library and Moseley Center. A site assessment was completed before construction, and the site includes ample open space for residents to enjoy. During construction, over 75% of the waste was recycled or reused, which kept it out of the landfill. Several products used in the facility contain recycled content, such as structural steel, drywall and aluminum framing, which reduces the need for virgin materials.

Providing excellent indoor environmental quality was another essential component in the design and construction of the building, as it contributes to the health and productivity of building occupants. One example is the use of materials with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low VOC products allow for better air quality during and after construction. Several of the furniture pieces in the building have earned a third-party certification that focuses on good indoor air quality.

麻豆视频 has a Green Building Policy, which states that new construction projects and major renovations of more than 8,000 square feet will achieve LEED certification. Most of 麻豆视频鈥檚 projects have received LEED Silver; however, 麻豆视频 also has 11 LEED Gold certifications (four of which are LEED for Homes) and six LEED for Homes Platinum certifications.

Additional details about East Neighborhood Commons鈥� sustainable features can be found online.

McKibben was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2014, sometimes called the 鈥渁lternative Nobel鈥� and received the Gandhi Peace Award in 2013. His book 鈥淭he End of Nature鈥� is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change and has been translated into 24 languages. TIME Magazine called McKibben 鈥減erhaps the planet鈥檚 best green journalist,鈥� and he has lectured and organized on every continent, including Antarctica. He helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and has recently helped found Third Act, to build a progressive organizing movement for people over age 60. McKibben, the author of fifteen books, is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In his urgent, heartfelt and hopeful talk McKibben provides realistic approaches to saving our planet, as individuals, and as thoughtful members of a mobilized community.

This visit is sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Department, Facilities Management, Food Studies, the Global Neighborhood, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Life@麻豆视频 and Peace and Conflict Studies