Sustainability Research

Technology & the Built Environment

Social Equity & Ethics

Economics & Policy

Big or Small, Near or Far? A Survey of University-Community Environmental Sustainability Partnerships Among the Top 50 OSSPI Cities and Towns. Co-authored with Megan Ruxton and Megan DeMasters

This paper seeks to identify how environmentally sustainable U.S. cities interact and establish relationships with colleges and universities in the development and implementation of local environmentally sustainable policies and programs. In an evaluation of environmental sustainability in U.S. cities, Opp and Saunders (2013) discovered that an overwhelming majority of U.S. cities ranked as highly sustainable on the Opps-Saunders Sustainability Practices Index (OSSPI) were home to institutions of higher education. As a result, they posed a question: “what is the relationship between cities with universities and local sustainability efforts?” Mosier (forthcoming 2015) began to answer this question by identifying how city officials in San Antonio, Texas and Dubuque, Iowa worked with members from universities and colleges in environmental policy and planning. The results of case studies revealed that the colleges and universities could establish close relations with city departments and officials by serving in a number roles including participation on steering committees, implementing portions of sustainability programs, and advising on technical projects to increase energy efficiency and green infrastructure. Moreover, this analysis reveals that larger universities outside of the city may be used to work on more complex and highly technical projects compared to smaller colleges.

This research seeks to move beyond case study evaluations and examine a more comprehensive understanding of town-gown environmental interaction. Using survey data collected from the top-50 OSSPI cities, this analysis provides a statistical examination for if and how universities and colleges interact and contribute to a community’s overall sustainability efforts. Surveys were sent to key city officials and employees for communities ranked in the top-50 of the OSSPI.

Creating Organic: The Evolution of Organic Food and Agriculture Policy in the United States.

From 1976-2010, thirty-eight U.S. states adopted organic food and agriculture legislation. If accounting for administrative rules, a separate sphere of decision-making power in policy development, an additional four states have adopted laws regarding organic food and agriculture. Oregon, who initially adopted organic legislation in 1989, was a leading innovator in organic food policy with adoption of administrative rules in 1973. The purpose of this research is to examine how and why organic food and agriculture policies were adopted by states since the 1970s accounting for a host of socio-economic and political variables that would lead to adoption over time and across space. The study uses the policy diffusion and diffusion of innovation literature to explain how states were influenced by local movements, other states, regional networks, and federal efforts for regulating the organic market. Results suggest a complex web of factors led to the spread of organic policies including a national network of organic farmers and certifiers that initially pushed for regulations in the late 1970s in the West and Northeast.  Moreover, the results suggest that organic food is facing increasing competition in the alternative food market as new sustainable food markets emerge including local foods, community-based agriculture, non-GMO, and fair trade emerge.

Mosier, Samantha. Forthcoming. Does the Gown Help the Town? Examining Town-Gown Relationship Influence on Local Environmental Sustainability. International Journal of Public Administration.

A U.S. municipality environmental sustainability index, the OSSPI, found an overwhelming percentage of top-ranked sustainable cities were home to institutions of higher education. While this may be a coincidence, this research seeks to determine if and how cities and town partner or collaborate with institutions of higher education for environmental sustainability purposes. In addition, this research seeks to determine how such partnerships may influence one of the three pillars of sustainability by examining two cases, San Antonio, Texas and Dubuque, Iowa. The results suggest there is considerable variability in the relationships between higher education institutions and highly-ranked sustainable cities. Consistent across both cases, it is found that larger, public universities are more likely to have stronger relationships and effects on local sustainability efforts. However, community colleges and smaller, private institutions may also play a significant role in developing and achieving local environmental sustainability goals.

Mosier, Samantha and Jonathan Fisk. 2013. Can Local Voluntary Environmental Programs ‘Work’?: An Examination of the City of Fort Collins' (Colorado) Climate Wise Program. Environmental Management, 51(5): 969-987.

Previous research on voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) frequently assesses the effectiveness of federal, state and third party programs and why organizations seek to join such programs. Yet, research has yet to evaluate the effectiveness or firm motivation relative to local VEPs. Recognizing this gap, our paper examines the structure and organization of Fort Collins’ Climate Wise program, a local VEP. Using a variety of sources, we find that the program has successfully met both short and long term goals by persistently self-evaluating and seeking outside financial support.  Findings from this analysis can aid in understanding and developing local VEPs elsewhere. Specifically, this initial research suggests that local VEPs need to consider local context and available resources when implementing such programs. Furthermore, it is possible for local VEPs to attract a diverse variety of participating firms by avoiding one-size-fits-all participation levels and by establishing a sense of ownership among partners.

Mosier, Samantha. 2013. Soft-Tech Solutions Improving Local Sustainability in the U.S.: Lessons Learned From a P3 in Cookeville, Tennessee. PA Times, April 2013.

This paper examines the role of soft technology in transforming U.S. municipalities’ environmental sustainability policies. Soft technology presents the opportunity for towns and cities to gradually reassess the processes and normative expectations of the community regarding environmental and economic values. Through an examination of the Unplugged Challenge partnership, we can see that soft technology has the potential to alter and spur sustainable development in U.S. municipalities. Cookeville city officials were able adapt private sector knowledge and skills to the needs of public sector to achieve cost-savings and lay the foundational political support for future environmental policy objectives. Furthermore, the case also demonstrates how the private sector can still contribute to soft technology development and transfer for sustainable development efforts.

Mosier, Samantha. 2013. Cummins Filtration and the City of Cookeville (TN) Unplugged Challenge: A P3 for Energy Efficiency. In Local Economic Development and the Environment: Finding the Common Ground. Opp, Susan M. and Jeffery Osgood, Jr. (Authors). ASPA Series on Public Administration and Public Policy. Taylor and Francis Press.

This case study evaluates the development and implementation of a public-private partnership between the city of Cookeville, TN and Cummins Filtration, a global manufacturing and distribution company for commercial engine systems products. The partnership centers on Cummins Filtration’s Unplugged Challenge, a program used by the company to encourage energy savings among its employees, and its adoption by the City of Cookeville. The city benefitted from the partnership not only financially but also culturally. The partnership led to a paradigm shift whereby the city and its residents realized the benefits of improving the environment can help achieve economic goals.

Environmental Systems