Every day can be be Earth Day at MSTC

Mid-State Technical College, and Wisconsin's 15 other technical colleges, are leading the way for a sustainable future. In addition to educating students for careers in renewable energy occupations, such as geothermal, wind and solar, Wisconsin's Technical Colleges are incorporating the principles of sustainability into the coursework of traditional occupational programs.

MSTC offers a variety of programs centered in sustainability, much of it the first of its kind in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Associate degree programs at MSTC include biorefinery technician, energy efficiency technician, renewable electricity technician, renewable energy specialist and renewable thermal energy technician. Countless graduates will help business and industry integrate sustainable practices into everyday operations.

We promote sustainability by purchasing recycled paper products, recycling paper and plastic bottles, reusing office supplies and using biodegradable products like cups and trash bags. Unique new water stations encourage the use of refillable water bottles and provide a digital tally of the number of plastic bottles saved from disposal. Urban forestry students have planted thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers as a part of their learning experience.

One MSTC club, Students Environmentally United for a Sustainable Society, or SEUSS, promotes environmental sustainability by engaging students, employees and members of our communities in activities, education and a proactive lifestyle of sustainability.

Our building automation systems are designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. We take advantage of off-peak electricity to make ice at night that then is used in air conditioning during the day. Computer labs are cooled with outdoor air rather than air conditioning whenever possible. We also reduce energy usage through LED and other energy-efficient light fixtures, solar tube lighting, extra insulation, motion balance sensors, carpooling and modified hours of operation.

Faculty and students in our five renewable energy programs are using Wisconsin Rapids campus facilities as learning laboratories and testing grounds, their hands-on learning an investment in making the college more energy efficient. Solar panels one day will feed directly into our Wisconsin Rapids campus, reducing our need for electricity from fossil fuel sources.

Thermal energy collectors will provide primary heat for several large areas. A buyback meter will capture electricity produced from classroom solar panels, an ethanol generator, wind turbines and bio-diesel fuel generator when they are not being used as teaching tools.

The new Center for Sustainability and Energy Technology, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifiable building, eventually might have a green roof -- a layer of vegetation that provides additional insulation and lessens runoff.