The University at Buffalo
UB Green and the UB Sustainable Energy Policy

The University at Buffalo began grassroots efforts in the 1970s to conserve energy. UB Green was established in 1982. Due to the extensive work of UB Green, there are documented annual energy savings in excess of $9 million a year. UB is a leader in campus energy conservation and can serve as a valuable resource for Mount Holyoke College as we look to establish more energy efficient and sustainable practices. It is important that Mount Holyoke look to adopt a Sustainable Energy Policy similar to the elaborate and detailed policy adopted by UB.

The Sustainable Energy Policy at UB:

As stated on the UB Green website, the Sustainable Energy Policy at UB is as follows:

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.