University of California Sustainability Policies and Best Practices
Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation
The Higher Education Energy Efficiency Partnership Program with investor-owned utilities and The California State University (CSU) provides $15 million towards implementing energy efficiency projects in the UC and CSU systems. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) selected the UC-CSU program in a competitive solicitation, in part due to UC’s far-reaching Clean Energy Standard. In addition to funding energy efficiency retrofits and existing building tune-ups through “monitoring-based commissioning” projects, the program also provides extensive training to UC staff in project management, facilities, and other related campus units.
UC also received funding for three pilot campuses in the Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Campus Program. This program aims to:
- Save energy on university campuses through a student-led campaign to identify and reduce energy waste through improvements in energy use behaviors, student purchasing decisions and operations changes;
- Build student awareness about the relationship between energy efficiency and the environment and the need to use energy efficiently; and
- Strengthen academic learning by facilitating the incorporation of Green Campus activities into students’ academic plans.
The Department of Energy also recently granted funding for the UC Berkeley campus to host a Energy Star Showcase Dorm Room following the model at Tulane University.
See also UC Office of the President Energy Management website.
Best Practice Case Studies:
See the UC Santa Barbara Energy Annual Report and the excellent links to real-time campus building energy demand, energy conservation tips, and answers to energy FAQs on the UCSB Energy website.
UC San Diego also has an excellent Energy Conservation website.
Outside Resources:
National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program – Energy
University Leaders for a Sustainable Future - Resources for Energy
EPA Best Management Practice Case Study on Sub-metering Campus Buildings
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