Penn State Hazleton recognized as Green Business of the Year

HAZLETON, Pa. – Penn State Hazleton has been recognized as the 2020 Green Business of the Year by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to sustainability.

The award is presented to businesses or organizations in the Hazleton area that adopt initiatives which diminish their impact on the environment.

“We are grateful and proud to be recognized for our determination in lowering energy usage and reducing our carbon footprint at Penn State Hazleton,” Chancellor Gary M. Lawler said. “Sustainability has long been one of our priorities and through the dedication of our employees and students, we will continue to uphold our commitment to a brighter future."

“Green” initiatives put into place on campus over the past several years include installation of a solar panel and LED lighting that resulted in lower use of energy, hydration stations that reduce the use of plastic bottles, reusable “to-go” containers in the dining hall that limit the use of Styrofoam products and a default to two-sided printing that decreases the use of paper.

Additionally, a committee formed by members of the Student Government Association focuses on ways to make the campus more environmentally efficient and holds special events to educate the campus community about the importance of sustainability.

Penn State Hazleton is also the only location in the University’s 20 campuses that offers a baccalaureate degree in engineering with a focus on alternative energy and power generation. The program, offered in collaboration with Penn State’s College of Engineering and nationally accredited by ABET, teaches the next generation of engineers and leaders about alternative energy resources, including solar, wind and geothermal power. Students have partnered with companies and municipalities to design projects with real-world application that have produced a trolley system to remove refuse, solar design parking for a casino, and a drinking water protection system, just to name a few.

The program features four full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty who are experts in their fields and whose research provides valuable examples of concepts being taught in the classroom.

Lawler added, “Penn State is committed to stewarding our planet’s resources as part of a holistic institutional sustainability effort which will benefit the University, our communities and beyond. We are proud to advance this effort in the Hazleton area.”