To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Chancellor Richard Herman" <chancellor@uiuc.edu>

Reply-To: chancellor@uiuc.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - Energy Consumption

We're all aware that energy costs are a growing part of our personal 
budgets.  It is no different for the University.  Each dollar we spend on 
energy is a dollar not available for salaries, instruction, or basic 
supplies. As we look to the future we must find better ways to control 
energy consumption and costs on campus.

With that in mind, I want to make you aware of some of the current 
initiatives being taken to make the campus more energy efficient:

The Urbana campus has joined other leading universities, including the 
University of Michigan, University of Colorado, and University of 
Minnesota, as a partner in the U.S Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) "Energy Star" program.  Energy Star provides information and 
experience-sharing resources for partner institutions, including 
guidelines for Energy Management, an Energy Program Assessment Matrix, and 
a Service & Product Provider Directory.
  
* We are in the process of replacement or repair of all deficient steam 
and electricity meters with the intention of more rigorous energy 
management. Concurrently, steam traps, a perennial source of wasted 
energy, are being repaired or replaced.  There are about 25,000 steam 
traps in campus buildings.   

*An energy-management Web site has been developed 
(http://www.energymanagement.uiuc.edu/) that provides helpful information 
for individuals, departments and colleges. 

*Also, a Web site specifically focused on computers, and other IT 
equipment is also available: www.cites.uiuc.edu/guidelines/energy.html.

*Students in engineering and environmental sciences classes are conducting 
energy audits of campus buildings and looking at ways the campus can be 
more efficient in its energy use. 

*The Business Instructional Facility under construction will comply with 
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold requirements. 
LEED standards were created by the U.S. Green Buildings Council.  All new 
construction and renovation over $2 million dollars will be LEED 
compliant.  

*Recent lab suite remodeling projects in Roger Adams Lab, Burrill Hall, 
and the Materials Science and Engineering Building include heat-recovery 
systems. 

*Campus engineers, in cooperation with academic units, are including 
energy-reduction strategies whenever system upgrades or replacements 
occur. Campus remodeling projects include installation of higher 
efficiency lamps to replace the old lamps.

As you can see, a great deal is happening. We are making significant 
inroads and are laying the foundation for an energy-conscious, sustainable 
campus. 

I encourage all of us to think creatively about what we can do to conserve 
energy. The Provost and I are putting together the final touches on a 
Campus Energy Policy, which will be issued in the next 2 weeks.  This 
policy will provide energy guidelines for students, academic units and 
facilities staff.  Our next step will be to put into place an energy 
conservation plan. 
 
I know that it is difficult, if not impossible, to control energy use in 
many of our older buildings. However, as we look ahead, I hope we are all 
asking, "What can I do to help?" Here are some suggestions:

*Review the Web sites mentioned above.

*Assure that someone in your unit is assigned as the primary contact for 
energy-related matters, which could include collecting and passing on 
energy-saving suggestions.

*Review your daily routine. Assure that the electricity and heat you use 
are what's needed as opposed to what you have become accustomed to. If you 
have a thermostat in your office, set it seasonally to provide reasonable 
comfort, yet minimize energy use to the greatest extent possible.  Turn 
off lights and your computer when not in use.

I will provide periodic updates on our progress and look forward to 
reporting significant savings.  
This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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