CCAC annually educates nearly 30,000 credit students through more than 150 degree, certificate, diploma and transfer programs and offers thousands of students access to noncredit and workforce development courses. The learning-centered institution’s mission is to provide affordable access to quality education and offer a dynamic, diverse and supportive learning environment that prepares the region’s residents for academic, professional and personal success in our changing global society. CCAC’s quality programs enable students to transfer credits to approximately 500 colleges and universities and support regional workforce needs with accessible instruction available day, evening, weekend and online in Allegheny County and beyond. 

CCAC has historically spent well over $3 million a year on utilities, the second highest line item in the school's operating budget.  Their commitment to students compels them to (1) divert as much money as possible from energy costs to student services, and (2) ensure that operations are environmentally responsible.  CCAC facilities range from re-purposed historic mansions to state-of the-art science facilities, and as the largest component of their carbon footprint, they are committed to making them more efficient. CCAC is currently completing a major retrofit project at their South Campus, a facility that previously had the largest energy expense of all facilities.  The lighting and mechanical systems in most other facilities are facing the end of their useful lives, and will be upgraded to high-efficiency systems as they are replaced.

The CCAC Board of Trustees approved the College-wide Energy Policy in October, 2015. The Facilities Management Department is currently researching and writing the guidelines to support the Energy Policy which will include equipment operations, system operations, process controls and behavior-based components.