Energy

In 2009, Bates established an Energy Taskforce to reduce campus energy consumption and contain rising utility costs.

The Energy Taskforce identifies, prioritizes, and implements projects to increase energy efficiency and conservation practices in existing buildings on campus.

Initiatives

Efficiency Projects

Each year the college invests in energy efficiency updates.

Winter Building Curtailment

One of the greatest opportunities identified for eliminating unnecessary energy consumption across campus was the winter break building curtailment program. During this time most of our campus facilities are used minimally or not at all. In an effort to eliminate wasteful spending on heating and lighting unoccupied areas, facilities services works with the housing office to consolidate students who must remain on campus into a few residence halls and turn back temperatures in the majority of campus buildings.

Energy Consciousness

Improving our building systems and making policy changes are great steps, but we know that design and technology alone do not guarantee efficient use of energy. Each year we work to engage faculty, staff and students energy-conscious practices.

If you’re on campus, you’re a part of it. Click here to take action!

Results

With it’s creation, the college has been extremely successful at reducing energy consumption and costs. From fiscal year 2009 through fiscal year 2012, both approved utility budgets and actual expenditures for energy decreased annually. Over these three years, the college saved over $773,000 vs. the respective budgets and spent $1.9M less on energy than was originally planned back in 2007.