On behalf of Procurement Services and the Office of Sustainability, Executive Vice President Shannon Cullinan presented the Procurement Partner Sustainability Award to Indiana Michigan Power Co. on Thursday, Dec. 9. This award is given to a supplier that has helped the University make progress toward its strategic sustainability goals through providing new and/or innovative products or services. This is the third year for the award.
In 2020, the University entered into a partnership with Indiana Michigan Power on the St. Joseph Solar Farm project. Notre Dame has agreed to take 40 percent of the carbon offsets created by the project over a 30-year lease. To provide a sense of scale, the project in total could produce enough green energy power for up to 2,700 homes. For Notre Dame, the project offsets carbon emissions equal to approximately 10 percent of the total campus electrical demand.
The solar project will also provide educational and research opportunities and encourage economic development for those looking for green energy options to support their vision. The use of solar arrays is one of many projects in the University’s long-range plan to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The St. Joseph Solar Farm is Indiana Michigan Power’s fifth and largest solar farm to date. Building upon Indiana Michigan Power’s commitment to create a more sustainable future, the St. Joseph Solar Farm generates up to 20 megawatt-hours of electricity (more than the company’s four other solar facilities combined). Indiana Michigan Power’s diverse sources of clean energy include not only solar, but also wind and hydropower. Indiana Michigan Power’s parent company, American Electric Power, seeks to reduce its total carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2030 and become net neutral by 2050.