A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

SRJC takes steps toward sustainability with new construction projects

The+Quinn+Central+Plant%2C+funded+by+the+Measure+H+Bond%2C+is+currently+under+construction+on+the+Santa+Rosa+campus+and+will+provide+high-efficiency+heating+and+cooling+to+numerous+buildings+on+campus%2C+according+to+SRJC%E2%80%99s+2022+Sustainability+Report.+
Peter Morales
The Quinn Central Plant, funded by the Measure H Bond, is currently under construction on the Santa Rosa campus and will provide high-efficiency heating and cooling to numerous buildings on campus, according to SRJC’s 2022 Sustainability Report.

Measure H project construction on the Santa Rosa Junior College campuses and new student services has led to improved sustainability from technological advancements, transportation access and waste reduction, according to SRJC’s 2022 Annual Sustainability Report released Feb. 14.

The report, released by SRJC Energy & Sustainability Manager David Liebman, offered an update and overview of sustainability progress in 2022 on the Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Shone Farm campuses.

Bond Measure H

The Measure H bond, passed in 2014, was meant to implement new and updated technologies, specifically energy and sustainability projects. The budget of the program is $35.3 million.

“With every Measure H project, sustainable features are incorporated into the renovation, design and construction,” said Serafin Fernandez, senior director of capital projects.

Measure H energy and sustainability projects include: Advance submetering at the Public Safety Training Center and Petaluma campus; electrical submetering, a geothermal exchange field and the Quinn Central Plant at the Santa Rosa Campus; and LED lighting and advance lighting controls and photovoltaic arrays at the Santa Rosa, Shone Farm and Petaluma campuses.

Photovoltaic Solar Arrays

Photovoltaic arrays will save the district over $1 million in energy costs per year. We are seeing the most impact from these solar panels at Shone Farm, which will generate 90% of the campus’s energy usage.

Quinn Central plant

The Quinn Central Plant will provide high-efficiency heating and cooling to Bailey Hall, Maggini Hall, Barnett Hall and Tauzer Gymnasium on the Santa Rosa campus along with the new Olympic-size pool at the Quinn Aquatic Center. The electric boiler will significantly reduce natural gas usage, the press release said.

Through the $11.7 million project, a new reclaimed water tank was installed “to help the college reduce its potable water consumption by close to twenty percent,” Liebman said.

Clipper BayPass – Sustainable Transportation

The Clipper BayPass project began in Fall 2022 and will continue through the Summer 2024. This project allows currently enrolled students to get a Clipper BayPass free of charge. The Clipper BayPass provides transportation on all bus, rail and ferry services in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area region on lines where the passes are accepted.

Water Bottle Refilling Stations

SRJC has installed water bottle refilling stations which will reduce plastic water bottle waste and ensure students and faculty have access to clean and filtered water.



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About the Contributors
Hana Seals, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Hana Seals (she/her) is in her fourth semester at Santa Rosa Junior College, and is preparing to transfer to a four-year school with a major in Journalism. She mainly covers breaking news, community issues and local crime. Outside of writing she spends her time watching documentaries, drawing and opening time with friends and family. Professional content consumer.
Peter Morales, Editor
Peter Morales is in his fourth semester reporting for The Oak Leaf and working towards a journalism degree, with his sights on San Francisco State. He hopes to take more photos of general news as well as sports. His dream is to one day accomplish something with his life, and cause as many problems to the status quo through storytelling and photography. "Who knows, maybe I'll destabilize a government or two before my mid-life crisis."

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