Powering Pace Toward Net Zero

Ryan McEnany, director of Energy and Resiliency at Pace University, has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainability and energy management initiatives across the University’s campuses. From implementing innovative energy conservation programs to achieving groundbreaking reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, McEnany’s efforts reflect a commitment to both environmental stewardship and operational efficiency.

In this Q+A, he shares insights into his unconventional journey into sustainability, the strategies behind Pace’s notable achievements, and the collaborative spirit that drives meaningful change. McEnany’s story not only highlights the tangible impacts of his work but also serves as an inspiring example for students and professionals passionate about creating a more sustainable future.

Pace Magazine: Can you describe some of the most impactful sustainability initiatives you’ve led at Pace University?

Ryan McEnany: I believe the most impactful sustainability initiative here at Pace has been our Energy Conservation Program. The program began about 7 years ago and to date has saved over 329 billion BTUs of energy, enough energy to power an average household for 4,275 years. This energy saving initiative is also the main source of our greenhouse gas emissions reduction and has been the equivalent of planting 400,000 seedlings. It also reduces our operational expenses and has offered a net savings to the University of over $7 Million. With escalating energy costs and potential fines for exceeding Greenhouse Gas Emission Limits this program becomes more important every year.

PM: Faculty and staff buy-in has been crucial to the success of your programs. How did you build trust and engagement across the University?

RM: Building trust is extremely important when implementing any project that requires behavioral change. For example, setting back heating equipment during winter break was a major change to the operation of our campuses, yet it is extremely important to our energy conservation program. Over time our energy specialists have become a resource to our department. In times of extreme cold we enact a freeze protection plan, send update reports in the middle of the night, and work hand-in-hand with mechanics and engineering managers to enact changes that actually use more energy in order to prevent weather related problems.

Another important aspect of building trust has been to continually make decisions that are in the best interest of the University. When it comes to energy conservation, student success comes first, and I believe we attempt to achieve this through resolving comfort issues and adjusting the program to ensure we maintain comfortable environments.

PM: What does Pace’s journey to becoming a Net Zero university by 2040 look like, and what milestones are most critical in the next five years?

RM: We are already on the path to becoming a Net Zero University, meaning we’ll balance the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere with the amount we remove. As a community we have made significant change to reduce our Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 24%. Over the next 5 years we have a midpoint goal of achieving a 50% reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the next step to achieving this goal is the renovation of One Pace Plaza East. While I am excited to see the new home of Sands College of Performing Arts, what truly intrigues me are the sustainability features of this project —the heat pumps, the increased insulation, and the lighting control systems that will greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the building. Our energy model projects that after the renovation the greenhouse gas emissions of the building will be reduced by 60%.

The beneficial electrification—switching from fossil fuel usage to electricity—of most of the heating system will help the University to further reduce emissions as New York State completes their efforts to green the grid by providing zero emission electricity through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

While our building energy emission’s is the focus, we will also need to decrease emissions from our transportation fleet. Recently, Brian Kavanagh, our State Senator announced funding for an Electric Transit Van that will operate a shuttle route between our campuses in Westchester and NYC. This is exciting because it is the first step Pace is taking to significantly reduce fleet emissions.

PM: Pace has been recognized on Princeton Review’s Green Colleges list for multiple years. What does this recognition mean to you and your team?

RM: Our team made a concerted effort to highlight all of the innovative sustainability projects and programs here at Pace. Specifically, the Princeton Review analyzes many aspects of Sustainability and not just operational programs or capital projects. Therefore, it is recognition of all the hard work and effort of the Pace Community.

Over the past two years Pace has also won awards from the US Department of Energy regarding Energy Management and the Sustainable Design of 15 Beekman. Again, the recognition is great to promote Pace as a Sustainable University, but it’s also verification from experts in the field that our planning and implementation is ground-breaking and impactful.

PM: Looking back on your time at Pace so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

RM: I try to be resourceful as possible, so I am really proud of the ability to generate revenue through the demand response program. We currently generate about $150,000 a year and have been enrolled for 5 years now. The revenue generated goes back into sustainability and energy saving projects across our campuses, so the revenue is reinvested and leads to lower emissions and greater utility savings. Some of the projects that have been completed are LED Lighting (including the lights at Goldstein Fitness Center Gym in Westchester), the solar charging benches at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, and the sub-meters in New York City. It’s a proud achievement to create this sustainable funding source to further advance sustainability here at Pace.

Want to learn more about Pace’s sustainability efforts? Visit Pace’s Energy and Resilience site.