The University of Maryland, College Park campus is run on a 27 MW natural gas power plant on Baltimore Ave. The plant is a combined heating & power (CHP) system, which uses the steam produced when gas is burned to heat buildings across campus. The plant emits around 125,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. The University System of Maryland is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the entire Maryland state government. 

What is NextGen?

The NextGen Energy Program is UMD's decarbonization plan.  Currently, the university plans to renew the plant, and is accepting proposals for the University to decarbonize by 2035 or 2050. In the 15 years between 2035 and 2050, at our current rate of emissions, the University would emit an additional 1,875,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere if we chose a 2050 proposal. That is why we are urging the University of Maryland to select a proposal that would decarbonize campus by 2035.

What about the University's commitment to carbon neutrality?

Last Earth Day, the University committed to carbon neutrality by 2025. Carbon neutrality relies on carbon offsets, which means that UMD will balance out our carbon emissions by paying to remove emissions in other places. Because carbon offsets remove carbon at a global scale without addressing local air pollutants, renewing UMD’s CHP plant within Prince George’s County would continue to contribute to the county’s disproportionate exposure to pollution. To learn more about the inequities related to carbon offsetting, click here. The University of Maryland’s carbon neutrality deadline of 2025, which relies on the purchase of carbon offsets, is not a long-term sustainable solution. That is why we are pushing UMD to stop emitting greenhouse gases entirely through decarbonization!

How can I get more involved?

If you have any questions, or would like to help out with the campaign, join our GroupMe.