California Institute of Technology

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

The California Institute of Technology employs one full-time transportation coordinator, two full-time recycling specialists, and one energy manager. The Sustainability Council oversees projects and the Environmental Task Force has drafted an environmental policy statement. The facilities management department has a comprehensive energy management program with stated practices and goals.

The institute operates a 12.5-megawatt cogeneration plant and a 50-kilowatt micro-turbine. An active energy conservation program includes motion sensors in all new construction and retrofits, and a cool roof re-roofing program. Caltech, in conjunction with the city of Pasadena, participates in an energy-efficient appliance replacement program. Additionally, the institute is installing a 230-kilowatt solar energy facility that will be the largest in Pasadena, to be operational in February 2008. No institutional policies addressing climate change have been adopted to date.

Though few farms remain in the greater Los Angeles area, Caltech is able to purchase produce that is predominately grown in state through the Los Angeles Produce Market. In addition, Caltech is an official drop-off point for Terra Miguel farm, a local organic farm, and students have the option to be added to the drop-off list, as well. Dining services has eliminated the use of Styrofoam in favor of biodegradable or recyclable to-go containers.

Caltech pursues energy conservation and wise energy management in all its facilities and for new buildings. The institute requires a minimum of LEED Silver certification for all new construction and major rehabilitations, and is in the process of seeking campus-wide LEED certification. Caltech also has an active building lighting retrofit program and occupancy sensor program.

Caltech supports a variety of different programs to encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation. These programs are managed by the employee transportation coordinator and include: guaranteed ride home, vanpooling and carpooling incentives, a bicycle and walking program, transit cash incentives, and many others. Caltech is investigating fleet replacement with alternative-energy vehicles and has introduced one hybrid vehicle into its chauffeur fleet.

The institute has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record. Therefore, there is no known ability to access this information.

The institute aims to optimize investment return and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The institute has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.