University of Buffalo, NY Sustainable Energy Plan

Type: Policy

Status: Adopted in May 2000

Source File: http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen/content/policies/policy_sustainability.html

Description:

UB Sustainable Energy Policy

The University at Buffalo's nationally recognized energy conservation program has a history exceeding twenty years. The program has documented annual energy dollar savings in excess of $9 million a year. In 1998, the $17 million demand side management project which the UB conducted with CES/Way International from 1994-1997 was awarded "Energy Project of the Year" from the Association of Energy Engineers.

UB is proud of its role as a national leader in campus energy conservation but we must not stand on our laurels. Our program must strive for continual improvement. Much more can be done.

UB commits to an energy conservation program based on continual improvement.

The University will:

• Create and maintain appropriate organizational structures within facilities to enable on-going progress in the energy efficient operation of our campuses.

• Purchase only energy efficient equipment, consistent with performance and durability.

• Maintain or establish energy conservation and efficiency as priorities in facilities maintenance and operation.

• Consistently implement University heating and air conditioning policies.

• Continue the practice of identifying and implementing in-house conservation projects paid for out of University operations budgets.

• Evaluate prospective energy conservation and efficiency capital improvement projects on the basis of life cycle cost/benefit analysis.

• Explore methods for redirecting some portion of energy conservation dollar savings to fund additional conservation measures.

• Utilize creative funding mechanisms and energy service companies to accelerate action on larger energy conservation and efficiency projects which can be structured to pay for themselves.

• Continue efforts to raise energy awareness on campus.

• Reassess campus transportation needs and planning in light of the need to reduce energy use and energy-related emissions.

• Operate campus buses and campus fleet vehicles on natural gas or other clean alternative fuel beyond legally mandated levels.

• Strengthen its commitment to principles of environmentally sustainable green building design for all new construction and major renovations.

• Minimize SOX, NOX and CO₂ emissions from campus fossil fuel burning equipment. Eliminate campus reliance on coal in the MacKay Power Plant.

• Develop a carbon dioxide emission reduction plan and measure annual progress. Seek reductions far in excess of Kyoto Global Warming Treaty requirements which call on the United States to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8% by 2010 (compared to 1990 levels).

• Explore and act on opportunities to employ renewable energy technologies.

• Seek effective implementation of UB's electricity purchasing policy to further promote efficiency, avoid dirty power purchases, and explore options for buying clean, renewable "green power."

• Provide support for clean energy research on campus.

• Provide support for community-based clean energy initiatives.

Our campus energy goal will be to reduce campus energy consumption by an additional 20% by the year 2010.