Energy plays a central role in the challenge to become more sustainable. Bates spends approximately $3.5 million per year on energy and more than three quarters of the College’s greenhouse gas emissions -- almost 7,000 MTCDE -- come from energy use.

Goals

Our goals for reducing financial and environmental costs are threefold. To encourage greater conservation, improve efficiency, and to transition to renewable resources.

Where We're At Today

Most of our campus buildings are linked to the main steam plant and heated with either #2 oil or natural gas. The village buildings and each wood framed house has its own boiler and is heated with #2 oil and a mix of biodiesel. 

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Campus electricity is bundled together in a renewable energy contract except for the wood frame houses which are on separate single contracts. Last year Bates used over 13.8 million kWhs of electricity.

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