UCI makes Sierra magazine list for environmental friendliness

UC Irvine was named one of America’s top 10 coolest schools for its green initiatives by an environmentally minded magazine.

Sierra magazine ranked UCI No. 6 for the second year in its September/October issue for being one of the most energy efficient schools.

The magazine singled out the college’s use of a co-generation facility to produce most of its heat and electricity needs.

“This is wonderful validation of the initiatives we’ve undertaken to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate other environmental impacts,” Wendell Brase, vice chancellor of administrative and business services, said in a statement. “We maintained our top 10 status in what is becoming an increasingly competitive arena as campuses across the nation recognize their responsibility to the global environment.”

The University of Washington in Seattle was listed as No. 1, with Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vt., UC San Diego, Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., and Stanford University following.

UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., and Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt., also made the top 10.

— Britney Barnes