Bellevue College has joined 32 other leading institutions of higher learning to launch the Billion Dollar Green Challenge. The goal is to invest a cumulative total of $1 billion in energy efficiency upgrades on participating campuses.

Bellevue College is the only institution in Washington state to be involved in the program.

BC students made this possible through an initiative that created the Student Environmental Sustainability Fund (SESF). Using a designated student fee, the fund provides resources for environmentally beneficial activities and upgrades on campus.

“It’s about what we can do for the college, the community, and the nation as a responsible global citizen,” said Megan Phan, associated student government environmental and social responsibility representative.

The college is in the midst of a major audit of all lighting, HVAC and water systems to identify opportunities to save resources and money. The audit is being conducted through the State Energy Savings Performance Contracting program.

More information is available at www.bellevuecollege.edu/sustainability or www.GreenBillion.org to find out more about the Billion Dollar Challenge.