St. Clair County Community College has introduced numerous environmentally friendly efforts to its Port Huron campus.

Click here to view an interactive website highlighting SC4's green efforts and energy usage. The site, called a GreenTouchscreen, also offers sustainability tips.

Green roofs

• Green roofs were installed atop portions of the Acheson Technology Center, Clara E. Mackenzie Building, Fine Arts Building, Main Building and North Building.
• SC4 was the first community college in the state to use the technology.
• Green roofs reduce water runoff, add natural vegetation to campus and soak up carbon dioxide.
• College faculty teach students about vegetation and construction methods applied to the roof.
• Click here to see photos of SC4's newest green roof.

Solar panels, wind turbine

• Solar panels are atop the Acheson Technology Center and College Center.
• A wind turbine spins outside the Acheson Technology Center.
• Alternative energy program students train on the technology before they enter the working world.
• The technology helps power a computer lab, charge SC4’s electric car, heat hot water in the Acheson Technology Center and offset electricity used by parking lot bench lighting.
• Monitor energy produced by our wind turbine and solar panels outside the Acheson Technology Center.

Electric car

• The Chrysler GEM e4 electric car is used by the college’s Campus Patrol officers.
• It is recharged daily by the college’s solar panels and wind turbine.

Green retaining wall

• About 60% of the retaining wall next to the Clara E. Mackenzie Building is now "green."
• It offers a combination of bricks and live materials.
• Live plant material reduces water runoff, filters pollutants and adds natural vegetation to campus

• The College Center and A.J. Theisen Building/Main Building parking lots feature rain gardens and bioswales to soak up and clean rainwater before it enters nearby water sources.

• The North Building features a geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
• Water is pumped through pipes under the College Center parking lot, where it is naturally heated and cooled by the earth. Water is piped back to help heat and cool the North Building. 

Alternative energy associate degrees

• SC4 offers alternative energy associate degrees in:
  • Architectural design/green building
  • Facility and energy management
  • Renewable and alternative energy technology

Green Team

• The Green Team includes faculty, staff and students working together to develop new environmental ideas for campus.

Other academic programs benefiting from the technology

• Electronics and computer technology
• Landscape design, turf and greenhouse management
• Mechatronics

Awards, honors

• SC4 team competes in Green Grand Prix in New York
• Rep. Miller recognizes SC4's water quality, sustainability efforts
• SC4 team honored for hands-on teaching approach
• League for Innovation honors SC4 employees

Photos

• St. Clair County Earth Fair 2010
• St. Clair County Earth Fair 2011
• St. Clair County Earth Fair 2012

Click here to find out how much electricity your household appliances use.

SC4 Living Labs: Green technology

SC4 Living Labs: Solar and wind technology

SC4 Living Labs: Geothermal heating and cooling