Energy Alert Advisory – Take Conservation Actions During Hot Weather
September 1, 2026 9:26 AM

Dear Campus Community,

With temperatures expected to remain above 90°F throughout the week, everyone's help is needed to conserve energy in university facilities. All students, faculty, and staff should look for ways to maximize energy conservation in their spaces because of the persistent hot and humid conditions, especially between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day, when electric demand typically peaks on the regional grid. 

Taking Energy Conservation Action
Personal actions can make a significant difference by reducing energy use in everyday activities. If practical, please shut off, shut down, put into sleep mode, or unplug the following:

• Lights
• Computers
• Monitors
• Printers
• Chargers
• Appliances
• Other nonessential equipment

Close the following items to protect facility equipment and systems:    

• Outside windows and doors in air-conditioned areas
• Fume hood sashes when not in use

Also, please remember to shut off, shut down, put into sleep mode, or unplug equipment before leaving campus rooms and spaces for extended periods, as well as at the end of the day.  

Reporting Temperature Issues Immediately
While in university facilities, report any temperature-related issues in specific rooms or spaces as soon as possible to the Facilities & Services Energy Management Control Center (EMCC), 217-244-3783. This information helps support building diagnostics and service delivery. Please coordinate with your unit facility manager and designated building contacts as part of the normal review and notification process when contacting the EMCC.

Activating Unit-Level Event Day Action Plans
Academic and administrative units are also strongly encouraged to activate their established Event Day Action Plans to guide specific response strategies to reduce energy demand. Although the Abbott Power Plant generates approximately half of the campus electricity, the remainder is purchased from the regional electric grid. Reducing the university's energy consumption during these peak periods helps lower total electricity costs when prices rise with high demand, and it also decreases the capacity charge that the grid operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), assesses the campus for the coming year. 

Thank you for your continued collaboration and your efforts to make a meaningful difference during campus energy alerts.

Sincerely,

Morgan B. White
Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities & Services