Bill Text: MI SB0916 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Environmental protection; other; designation of "green" colleges and universities; provide for based on environmental sustainability criteria. Amends secs. 2501 & 2502 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.2501 & 324.2502); adds secs. 2512 & 2513 & repeals sec. 2513 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.2513).
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-26 - Referred To Committee On Natural Resources [SB0916 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SB0916-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL No. 916
April 26, 2016, Introduced by Senator O'BRIEN and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending sections 2501 and 2502 (MCL 324.2501 and 324.2502), as
added by 1995 PA 60, and by adding sections 2512 and 2513; and to
repeal acts and parts of acts.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec.
2501. The A purpose of this part is to facilitate an
understanding by citizens of this state of the natural environment
including an understanding of basic sciences, ecological sciences,
and of the connection between human beings, air, land, water, and
other living things, as well as how these systems relate to the
global environment, thus making it possible for human beings to
make informed decisions regarding protection and conservation of
the environment and utilization of the natural resources in a wise
and prudent fashion.
Sec. 2502. As used in this part:
(a) "Coordinator" means the coordinator of environmental
education provided for in section 2503.
(b) "Environmental education" means the teaching of factual
information regarding the natural environment, including basic
sciences, ecological sciences, agricultural sciences, and other
relevant subject matter, and the interdisciplinary process of
developing a citizenry that is knowledgeable about the total
environment and has the capacity and the commitment to engage in
inquiry, problem solving, decision making, and action that will
assure
ensure environmental quality.
(c) "Environmental sustainability" means creating and
maintaining the conditions under which humans and nature can exist
in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
Sec. 2512. (1) The department of environmental quality shall
annually recognize institutions of higher education as green
colleges and universities for setting and achieving goals for
environmental sustainability. To obtain recognition, an institution
shall file an application with the department on a form provided by
the department.
(2) The recognition program shall rank green colleges and
universities in gold, silver, and bronze categories based on a
point system. The department shall provide appropriate incentives
and benefits for attaining each category. The recognition program
may classify institutions of higher education based on the funding
level, size, and type of institution, such as community college,
technical college, public university, or private university.
(3) The recognition program shall consider all of the
following criteria of environmental sustainability as they relate
to all operations and disciplines of institutions of higher
education:
(a) Air: Programs to mitigate the institution's greenhouse gas
emissions, make information about those emissions publicly
available, and monitor outdoor air quality.
(b) Energy: Programs for energy conservation and energy
efficiency and the percentage of the institution's energy
consumption derived from renewable sources.
(c) Transportation: Programs that offer mass transit, bicycle
sharing, facilities for bicyclists, bicycle and pedestrian
planning, car sharing, carpool discounts, carpool and vanpool
matching, local housing, telecommuting, and condensed workweeks and
that prohibit unnecessary idling of motor vehicles.
(d) Buildings: Whether the institution's buildings that were
constructed or underwent major renovations in the past 3 years are
certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) green building rating system developed by the United States
Green Building Council.
(e) Food: The percentage of the institution's food budget
spent on local, organic, or other environmentally preferable food.
(f) Water: Water use minimization and rainwater management
programs.
(g) Waste: Waste diversion or minimization programs and the
percentage of waste diverted.
(h) Sustainability studies: Whether the institution offers a
degree focused on environmental sustainability and whether students
are required to take a course related to environmental
sustainability.
(i) Sustainability outreach: A program that promotes
environmental sustainability to staff, students, and the general
public.
(j) Sustainability personnel: Whether the institution has a
formal committee or full-time officer devoted to advancing the
institution's environmental sustainability.
(k) Research: Programs for research and in the areas of
invasive species, Great Lakes water quality, recycling, and
drinking water infrastructure.
(l) Fieldwork: Internships and other programs for fieldwork in
areas listed in subdivisions (a) to (k).
(4) For long-term environmental sustainability objectives, the
recognition program shall require and recognize the setting and
achievement of interim goals.
Sec. 2513. (1) The green college and university advisory
council is created within the department of environmental quality.
(2) The council shall consist of 1 faculty member and 1
student from each institution of higher education located in this
state that chooses to participate. Within 45 days after the
effective date of this section, the director of the department of
environmental quality shall appoint the members of the council from
nominations made by each participating institution. The nominations
shall be made within 30 days after the effective date of this
section. Members of the council shall serve for the life of the
council.
(3) If a vacancy occurs on the council, the director of the
department of environmental quality shall make an appointment to
fill the vacancy in the same manner as the original appointment.
(4) The director of the department of environmental quality
may remove a member of the council for incompetence, dereliction of
duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any
other good cause.
(5) The first meeting of the council shall be called by
director of the department of environmental quality. At the first
meeting, the council shall elect from among its members a
chairperson and other officers as it considers appropriate. After
the first meeting, the council shall meet at least quarterly, or
more frequently at the call of the chairperson or if requested by 5
or more members.
(6) A majority of the members of the council constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the council.
A majority of the members present and serving are required for
official action of the council.
(7) The council shall conduct business at a public meeting of
the council held in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA
267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. A writing prepared, owned, used, in the
possession of, or retained by the council in the performance of an
official function is subject to the freedom of information act,
1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
(8) Members of the council shall serve without compensation.
However, members of the council may be reimbursed for their actual
and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
official duties as members of the council.
(9) The council shall advise and assist the department of
environmental quality in developing the green colleges and
universities recognition program under section 2512.
(10) This section is repealed effective 2 years after the
effective date of this section.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.
