In a landmark initiative, SouthStar Energy Services collaborates with Paine College and Bethune-Cookman University to transform their natural gas usage, aiming to significantly reduce their carbon emissions within the educational sector.
In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, SouthStar Energy Services has partnered with Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, and Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. This collaboration is set to transform their natural gas usage into a more environmentally friendly practice. Through the Greener Life® for Business program by SouthStar, these Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) aim to significantly cut down their carbon emissions and step forward as leaders in sustainable energy use in the academic realm.
The initiative taken by SouthStar, a member of the Southern Company family, through the Greener Life program, underlines a major commitment to assist businesses and educational institutions across the United States in achieving their environmental goals. By leveraging carbon offset projects such as reforestry and methane capture, both HBCUs will actively counterbalance the carbon emissions derived from their natural gas consumption. This move not only integrates sustainable practices into their campuses but also involves supporting local, state-specific environmental efforts.
The presidents of both institutions, Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones of Paine College, and Dr. William Berry of Bethune-Cookman University, have welcomed this partnership with enthusiasm. They recognize the importance of setting a precedent for ecological responsibility in higher education. This partnership is poised to reinforce their ongoing commitment to nurturing a sustainable future, educating students on the importance of environmental stewardship while actively contributing to it.
Both Paine College and Bethune-Cookman University have been long-committed to educating and empowering African-American students. Paine College, affiliated with the United Methodist and Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches, promotes inclusivity and educational opportunities. Home to distinctive programs aimed at raising college preparedness and participation in STEM fields, Paine College continues to deliver high-quality education and community engagement.
Bethune-Cookman University, respecting its roots as an institution founded by civil rights activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, emphasizes a robust educational curriculum intertwined with social responsibility. Known for its acclaimed nursing program and vibrant marching band, “The Pride,” B-CU remains a beacon of academic excellence and cultural heritage.
This green initiative synergizes with SouthStar’s broader sustainability endeavors and Southern Company’s commitment to generating and deploying sustainable energy solutions. The partnership is a testament to the proactive approach Southern Company and its subsidiaries have taken towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It’s also reflective of the ongoing support Southern Company has pledged towards HBCUs, which includes a substantial $50 million initiative rolled out in 2020 to enhance educational facilities and opportunities across these institutions.
SouthStar’s proactive environmental and community engagement through the Greener Life program, benefiting both residential and commercial entities, positions it as a forward-thinking energy service provider focused on creating measurable environmental impacts. This initiative, empowering Paine College and Bethune-Cookman University, is poised not only to transform the participating campuses but also potentially inspire other institutions to follow suit, fostering a wider adoption of sustainability in higher education across the region and nation.
