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Allegheny
College (Meadville, PA)
Center
for Economic and Environmental Development
Summary
In 1997, Allegheny College created the Center for Economic and Environmental
Development (CEED), a college/community partnership to help lead the region
from economic decline toward a sustainable economic and environmental
future. CEED has more than 250 community partners and has held workshops
(largely prepared and organized by students) that have reached more than
15,000 people. In contrast to a “college-centric” partnering
approach, CEED has aimed to create a comprehensive economic and environmental
development program that addresses the needs of a large range of community
stakeholders.
The Practice
CEED’s approach to regional revitalization and environmental stewardship
is systemic, comprehensive, and synthetic. At the present time, CEED is
comprised of seven major projects: Creek Connections (watershed education
for K-12), Strategic Environmental Management for Businesses, Ecotourism,
the Art and Environment Initiative, the Northwest Sustainable Forestry
Project, French Creek: The Journal of Undergraduate Environmental
Writing and Art, and the Meadville Community Energy Project. In addition
to CEED’s systemic approach to addressing revitalization, it also
is having a deep impact on the culture and consciousness of the region
by its attempt to influence every constituency—from educating the
youngest school children to helping CEOs and governmental officials see
how long-term environmental concerns are part of their self-interest.
The Meadville Community Energy Project (MCEP) illustrates how CEED’s
partnerships are created and maintained. MCEP was created in 1997 as a
collaboration of Allegheny students and faculty; Meadville businesses,
homeowners, and renters; and local and state agencies to produce energy
savings that could be reinvested in the community. MCEP determined that
cutting energy expenditures in Meadville by just 10 percent could save
the community $3 million annually and improve the environment. MCEP then
helped establish Home Energy Ratings (HERS) to offer energy assessments
for landlords and homeowners. HERS provides a list of cost-saving energy
improvements, showing which measures will generate the greatest savings
at the lowest cost. In partnership with the Meadville Redevelopment Authority
and the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, MCEP offers low-interest loans
to finance energy improvements such as heating and cooling equipment,
high-efficiency appliances, and insulation. MCEP student interns conduct
energy education sessions with homeowners and tenants, give presentations
to community groups, write lesson plans for schools, collect energy data,
develop outreach materials, and learn the fundamentals of energy auditing.
MCEP’s advisory board—comprised of state and local governmental
officials, private sector representatives, and community leaders—selects
projects, educates the public, and advertises energy conservation opportunities.
Effectiveness
Before the creation of CEED, environmental consciousness in Northwest
Pennsylvania was low and civic engagement at Allegheny was scattered.
At Allegheny, civic engagement now is a high priority: 70 percent of Allegheny
students volunteer or do service-learning each year as part of five major
college initiatives. Even more significant has been the impact on the
local community and region. As a result of its broad vision for regional
development and its track record, CEED is building major business and
political allies that are enabling it to be a significant resource for
future local and regional development. MCEP’s energy-efficiency
initiative helped the regional medical center accrue significant monetary
savings and allowed them to receive the Governor’s Award for Environmental
Excellence. Also, insulation contractors have received calls from property
owners who have received HERS energy assessments. Other CEED initiatives
have had a similar impact on other community constituents. Since its inception
in 1997, CEED has received more than ten state, regional, and national
awards, including the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
Resources
For further descriptions of CEED’s work, visit the CEED website.
Contact Information
Eric Pallant
Director
Center for Economic and Environmental Development
Allegheny College
520 North Main Street
Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: 814-332-2870
eric.pallant@allegheny.edu
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