Spring 2007, Volume 10 Newsletter:
Low-Emitting Vehicle Parking at Harvard Business School
Guess who's getting preferred parking in Harvard Business School (HBS) parking lots? Here's a hint... it isn't people who drive Hummers. HBS is partnering with Harvard University Parking Services and Harvard Green Campus Initiative to pilot preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. In addition to the spaces already reserved for handicapped and carpool parking, HBS commuters will now have the option of preferential parking if they drive environmentally friendly vehicles.
Beginning this September, the HBS community will be able to apply for LEV (Low-Emitting Vehicle) parking permits. LEV permit only spaces will be designated in the most desired locations in the HBS lot. In order to qualify, commuters will need to demonstrate they drive a vehicle that meets the EPA SmartWay Elite certification. The SmartWay Elite certification indicates a vehicle has received at score of 9 or 10 (on a 10 point scale) in both the EPA Greenhouse Gas Score and the Air Pollution Score. To achieve a Greenhouse Gas score of 9, a gasoline vehicle must have a combined mile per gallon rating of at least 36. Air Pollution scores of 9 or 10 are awarded to vehicles whose officially certified exhaust emission levels (NOx, NMOG, CO, PM and HCHO) place them in Bin 1 or 2 of the EPA’s Tier II Emissions Standards (the Hummer H2 scores an embarrassing 3 for being in Bin 8).
Motor gasoline is estimated to account for 60 percent of all carbon dioxide (a major green house gas) emitted in the US in the last 20 years. The LEV preferred parking program represents a significant commitment by HBS and Harvard to address global climate change and environmental degradation. It is hoped that the success of the pilot program at HBS will result in LEV preferred parking campus-wide. While walking, biking, using public transportation, or carpooling are the means of commuting with the lowest environmental impact, Harvard hopes to encourage those people who feel the need to drive to do so in a more responsible manner. The HGCI team leader is Nathan Gauthier. The HBS representative is Meghan Duggan and from UOS, Jim Sarafin.