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Duke Energy Invests in USF St. Pete's Sustainability Efforts

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Duke Energy's $75,000 investment in the University of South Florida St. Pete is yielding tangible results, including four level-three electric vehicle charging stations, solar-powered study areas, and 32 new recycling bins for residential halls. This funding supports the university's commitment to sustainability, and officials hope it will inspire students to adopt environmentally conscious practices.

Key Takeaways:

  • Duke Energy's $50,000 investment is being used to enhance sustainability efforts on the USF St. Pete campus, including the installation of four level-three electric vehicle charging stations, solar-powered study areas, and 32 new recycling bins for residential halls.
  • The four level-three electric vehicle charging stations are the fastest type of EV chargers provided at USF, capable of providing up to 100 miles per 30-minute charge, and are accessible to anyone with an active USF parking permit.
  • The university's initial partnership with Duke Energy in 2014 funded a $1 million solar-photovoltaic installation, which stores solar energy in batteries.
  • The Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls, a three-week summer program for young women in Pinellas County hosted annually by USF St. Pete's College of Marine Science, is receiving $25,000 from Duke Energy to support its operations.
  • USF St. Pete spokesperson Matthew Cimitile hopes the investments will help students become more engaged with sustainability and implement environmentally friendly practices into their daily routines.
  • The recycling bins, funded with $2,000 of the $50,000 investment, will be implemented at residential halls after final decisions on bin placement are made to accommodate student use and preferences.
  • Professor Leon Hardy, a St. Pete professor of sustainability studies, sees the initiatives as a step forward for the university and hopes this change will benefit sustainability studies at USF St. Pete, but emphasizes the need for ongoing investment in sustainability initiatives.

Statistics:

  • $75,000: Total investment from Duke Energy in USF St. Pete's sustainability efforts.
  • $50,000: Amount used for sustainability efforts, including electric vehicle charging stations, solar-powered study areas, and recycling bins.
  • $25,000: Funding for the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls.
  • $1 million: Initial investment from Duke Energy in 2014 for a solar-photovoltaic installation.
  • 4: Number of level-three electric vehicle charging stations installed on campus.
  • 32: Number of new recycling bins for residential halls.
  • 30 minutes: Time required to charge up to 100 miles using the level-three electric vehicle charging stations.

Sources:

  • Duke Energy's website.
  • Cimitile, Matthew. Interview with the Oracle.
  • Hardy, Leon. Interview with the Oracle.
  • USF Newsroom.

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