May 2026

Visit the New Weber State Sustainability Home

Happy start of summer at Weber State! The university is extending its commitment to clean energy and cost-saving solutions beyond campus with the opening of the Weber State Sustainability Home (WSSH), located at 2807 Quincy Ave, Ogden, Utah. It is a net-zero demonstration home where visitors can explore real-world solutions for sustainable living.

University leaders and community supporters gathered on April 7 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly renovated demonstration home. At the WSSH, students and staff offer hands-on guidance and resources for residents such as:

Guided home tours demonstrating weatherization techniques, heat-pumps, onsite renewable energy systems and more, providing information on increasing energy efficiency, how to run a fully electric home, and how to power your systems with onsite renewable energy;
DIY Energy Efficiency Workshops, including free simple-to-install weather stripping, caulking, LED lighting, and other free efficiency supplies;
DIY Energy Detection Kits for check-out; and
Personalized energy consultation to develop your own home energy action plan.

In addition to technical guidance, visitors can receive support in navigating funding opportunities, rebates, and other financial incentives.

Weber State is well known for being environmentally and economically successful. We have cut our emissions by over half, while saving more than $30 million since 2007. Now we are bringing this experience to our neighbors in Ogden, and across the State of Utah.

Tour the Weber State Sustainability Home, attend a hands-on workshop and receive free supplies, and/or book a personalized energy consultation with the Energy Navigator to plan your energy upgrades with confidence.

All services are free, and many are available statewide.

Ogden's Renewable Energy Decision is Approaching

picture of a street in Ogden Residents of Ogden may soon have an opportunity to take part in a new approach to community energy. For the past seven years, the city has partnered with 18 other local governments participating as the Utah Renewable Communities (URC), along with Rocky Mountain Power, to explore a program designed to offer net-100% renewable electricity.

This initiative stems from House Bill 411 (passed in 2019), which allows municipalities to decide whether to shift their electricity sourcing toward renewable energy. After years of planning, the Utah Public Service Commission finalized the program's rates and participation guidelines this spring.

Ogden's City Council may vote on adoption as early as May 5, ahead of the June 2, 2026 deadline. If approved, the Community Clean Energy Program would gradually transition participating communities toward renewable sources. Residents would automatically be enrolled, with a $4 monthly fee added to residential bills, with qualifying low-income households (those in the HELP program) participating at no additional cost. Businesses would pay a usage-based rate of about 6/10ths of a penny per kWh, plus a small surcharge.

The program includes an opt-out option: customers can leave at no cost within the first six months after notification, with a small fee applying beyond that window. Enrollment is expected to begin in early 2027.

In addition to providing residents choice in how their electricity is generated, supporters highlight potential benefits such as a healthier environment and climate, more stable long-term energy pricing, and increased local job creation. As Ogden considers this decision, residents and businesses have an opportunity to learn more and decide what works best for their needs.

Announcing Spring 2026 STAR Grant Recipients

The Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC) is excited to announce the recipients of two new STAR Grant awards!

John Mull's (Zoology) STAR Grant is to support summer research on butterfly and moth diversity at the Ogden Nature Center. Zoology student Patience Rogan will lead the fieldwork, surveying lepidopteran species as key indicator organisms that reflect overall ecosystem health. The project will involve both specimen collection and photographic documentation to assess species richness across the site. In addition, the research will contribute to a broader community science effort encouraging public participation in documenting insects through iNaturalist (inaturalist.org). Supported jointly by STAR Grant funding and resources from ONC Conservation Director Anna Zack, the project strengthens the connection between academic research and hands-on environmental stewardship.

Gen Parkman (Zoology) will lead a student-driven outreach initiative focused on skin cancer prevention and public education. Titled “Student-Led Sunscreen Awareness and Melanoma Prevention Community Initiative,” the project highlights the connection between health and sustainability, and emphasizes that preventable diseases like melanoma can place significant emotional, environmental, and financial strain on families and healthcare systems. This June, undergraduate students will collaborate with community partners including the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Lagoon Amusement Park, and local dermatologists to share accessible, engaging prevention strategies. Through outreach events and public education, the team aims to promote simple habits, like regular sunscreen use and sun protection, as powerful tools for long-term community well-being.

The next round of funding will occur during the Fall 2026 semester.

Green Badge Program Update

Participate in the Green Badge Program and start earning your badges today!

May kicks off the summer season on campus and with that comes the summer green badge which will help you explore Biodiversity. Learn about the importance of fostering diverse life in our local landscapes.

Green Badge participants find they learn a lot from the program. After watching “A New Climate Vision” in March, a Weber State student shared, “I learned that addressing climate change will require a combination of clean energy, sustainable practices, and global cooperation. The video highlighted how innovations in renewable energy and transportation can significantly reduce emissions if widely adopted. I felt hopeful seeing that cities and countries are already making progress toward these goals. It made me believe that meaningful change is possible if people continue taking action and supporting these efforts.”

Does Your Department Have a Green Team?

Form a Green Team today!

The Green Department Program is for faculty and staff to learn ways to make their departments or offices more sustainable. Green Teams work together to earn points and recognition by implementing change and taking action.