September 12, 2008 Maine boasts one of nation's greenest schools Play video

(Marnie MacLean, NECN: Bar Harbor, Maine) - The annual Princeton Review is list of the nation's top colleges. But when it was announced this summer, it included a new category, listing some of the greenest schools in the country.

Five New England colleges made the list...including one small liberal arts school in Maine.

Newton native Noah Hodgetts is one of the lucky students Who gets to live in a brand new dorm on his college campus. A third year student at the college of the Atlantic in Bar harbor, Maine....Hodgetts was looking for a small school Where he could feel at home.

Noah Hodgetts "I transferred here from U Mass looking for a better experience. A place focused on making a difference in world now, rather than later.

College of the Atlantic was founded nearly forty years Ago....there are less than 400 students and just one major...human Ecology, the study of the relationship between people and the Environment.

David Hales--COA President "the basic ethic here is the relationship between humans and the environment is by choice...it is not forced on us. As families and a society we can choose what we want that relationship to be"

And here at College of the Atlantic....the school chooses A relationship that honors the needs of the environment just As much as the needs of people.

"as you look around the village is coherent and makes sense"

COA president David Hales

points out the new student Housing that is built to save energy and reduce the school's Impact on the environment. Walls are extra thick....lights are l.e.d. or use compact Flourescent bulbs....recycling and composting are mandatory.... From the kitchen...to the bathroom.

"Noah, I don't usually ask people this, but can you show me your toilet?" (Noah) "when people ask about Davis housing they say what's up with those composting toilets"

No flushing....instead, students add wood chips And help turn waste into compost. Compost used In the school's garden....to grow food served In the dining hall.

"talk about recycling going the full distance"

Even the gray water created in the houses will be recycled And used to water the grass and flowers around the campus.

"when everyone is moved in, about 70 students will live in this housing area.. And together they will use as much heat as one average household."

That's because the buildings will be heated by a huge Boiler that uses wood pellets....a clean burning, renewable and Local heat source. add all this to the fact that college of the Atlantic Has achieved the lofty goal of being carbon neutral...and you can See why the Princeton review placed it on its honor roll of Greenest colleges.

David Hales "I think that's the big message...not who's on the list, but that people are paying attention to this and that students are looking for places that behave in ways consistent with their own rhetoric and lessons."

COA student Elizabeth Fisher-Bruns says her Generation feels a great responsibility for the Environment....and this school helps them find ways to Meet that challenge.

Elizabeth Fisher-Bruns "even though we have tons of different opinions and come from all over the world...they do care about sustainability, and whatever they do is in a sustainable way."

Living and learning in a green environment is nothing New for College of the Atlantic....but people here say It's nice to be recognized...and even better that colleges Around the country are now trying to catch up.

David Hales "usually doing the right thing and the smart thing are the same thing"