Community college lauded for environmental efforts.

Byline: George Barnes 

GARDNER - Going green is getting Mount Wachusett Community College noticed.

The school was one of 10 colleges in the state and 104 nationwide featured in "Higher Education in a Warming World: The Business Case for Climate Leadership on Campus," a 63-page report by the National Wildlife Federation.

The report highlights efforts by colleges and universities to make their campuses more energy efficient and presents business, educational and ethical arguments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on campus.

Mount Wachusett Community College replaced its electrical heating system in 2002 with a wood-fired biomass system and has continued to add environment friendly improvements to the school's buildings.

The best part of the effort for the college has been the cost.

"We implemented $4.5 million in infrastructure improvements, and it didn't cost a nickel," Edward Terciero, chief financial officer for the college, told World Wildlife Federation officials conducting the study.

Mr. Terciero is the resident engineer at the college and was a driving force in making the changes. He also has become active on the national and international level in renewable energy studies. In December, he was part of a delegation of 12 educators, engineers and congressional staff who traveled to Germany at the invitation of the German government to study the country's renewable energy work force development strategies. In March he will participate in a global program that is part of the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008.

Mount Wachusett Community College paid for its energy improvements through grants and loans that are being paid back from the savings in heating costs. According to the World Wildlife Federation report, the school saved $396,800 in its first year while reducing its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 18 percent, or 700 tons.

The college is planning to install a large-scale wind turbine at its Green Street campus and new photovoltaic solar energy panels on the roof of its main campus building.

In the 1980s Mount Wachusett Community College was one of several test sites in the city for photovoltaic panels. The panels were in their early stages of development and the college only received a minor benefit from the project. The newer panels are expected to reap greater cost savings.

In conjunction with the infrastructure improvements the school is planning curriculum changes. The college is developing a training program in renewable energy to help address the expected need for workers as the number of renewable energy projects increases and businesses spring up in support of those projects.

College President Daniel M. Asquino, who was one of the original signers of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, said it is an honor for his school to be included in the World Wildlife Federation report.

"Even more significantly, we are glad the expertise we have gained is being shared at a national level to help other colleges and universities make important steps to reduce their carbon footprints," he said.