The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s Earth Day celebration included rides on an electric bus from Princeton University’s Tiger Transit, recognizing PPPL’s sustainable achievements, honoring PPPL’s greenest employees with Green Machine Awards, and a talk on environmental justice.
Some 25 volunteers, including Steve Cowley, PPPL’s Lab director, took part in an Earth Day cleanup of PPPL’s grounds and surrounding woods on April 13. They collected 580 pounds of trash, three-quarters of which was recycled.
PPPL’s core mission of developing fusion energy a a clean, green and affordable energy is all about addressing climate change caused by carbon-based energy, Cowley said. But PPPL is focused on sustainability throughout the Laboratory and is now venturing into new missions related to plasma-based sustainable technologies. “We’re cleaning up our local environment,” said Cowley, “but Earth Day reminds us we have to look after our planet and that’s what our Lab is all about.”
The Earth Day celebration kicked off with a ride on a new fully-electric Tiger Transit bus, which looped around the PPPL campus. The bus is silent, fitted with solar panels, fully wheelchair accessible, provides room for bicycles, and even has chargers at each seat.
Jermain Lewis said he used to take public transportation as a kid growing up in Salem County, New Jersey, and was impressed by the bus. “The ride is a lot smoother,” he said. “I think the technology is cool!”
After the bus tours, PPPL celebrated Earth Day with a hybrid program online and in the Melvin B. Gottlieb Auditorium. “Every day should be Earth Day,” said Tim Meyer, deputy director for operations, at the start of the program. “The Laboratory’s primary mission is to develop fusion energy as a clean, green and abundant source of electricity and hand in hand with that is our commitment to sustainability.”
A talk on environmental justice
Nicky Sheats, a lecturer at Princeton University, and director of the Center for the Urban Environment’s John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research, at Kean University, gave a talk on “Climate Change Mitigation Policy and Environmental Justice.”
Environmental justice focuses on protecting minority and underprivileged communities from the impacts of pollution and environmental problems by considering the impact to the community first, Sheats said. For example, while environmental justice groups may generally be concerned about carbon-based energy being linked to greenhouse gasses and climate change, environmental justice advocates might also focus on fine particles from power plants that can affect people’s lungs and hearts. “Environmental justice and equity should be considered in any climate change policy,” he said.
Spotlighting PPPL’s sustainable achievements
Among PPPL’s sustainable achievements was its recycling rate of 88% in the first half of FY2023, an increase of 6% over last year’s rate. This was due to recycling 393,933 pounds or nearly 197 tons of office and construction waste from the landfill, most of it from the TSDD project.
Other achievements highlighted during the April 14 program were:
- PPPL travelers and commuters reduced greenhouse gas emission due to travel by nearly 24% in 2022, compared to the baseline of 2008.
- PPPL’s information technology and purchasing staff ensure that 99% of PPPl’s electronics are EPEAT-certified by the Green Electronics Council, meaning that meaning the products use sustainable and recyclable materials that meet or exceed Energy Star specifications for saving energy.
- At least 25 PPPL staff members drive electric or hybrid vehicles to work and another eight use electric vans to commute to work.
The Earth Day program also honored PPPL staff members and groups for their green practices both on the job and at home.
Among those recognized was Michael Starkey, PPPL’s energy manager, who worked to get PPPL a $10,510 grant from the electric company PSE&G to upgrade to more sustainable lighting at PPPL. “He’s been working here for less than a year, but he’s already made a significant impact,” said Mark Hughes, environmental compliance manager, during the program.
Another person honored was Vincent Orazi, an emergency services unit officer who collects food from each shift he works at PPPL’s firehouse, takes it home, and composts it. This amounted to 250 gallons of food waste composted in one year.
“I’m very proud of PPPL employees for their efforts to reduce our waste to the landfill,” said Margaret Kevin-King, building and grounds manager, facilities and site services, a leader of the Green Team.
Members of the Green Team who helped organized the event are:
Carol Ann Austin
Richard Cavanaugh
Jeanne Jackson DeVoe
Mark Hughes
Margaret E. Kevin-King
Jonathon LaCarrubba
Ryan Mahler
Matt Pereira
Todd Sandt
Michael Starkey
Eleanor Starkman
Michelle Turnbach
Robert Sheneman
Original source can be found here.