In 2002, Bates commissioned a campus energy audit to identify ways we could improve energy efficiency in campus buildings. The College has implemented and continues to implement many of the report's recommendations including:

• Residence halls equipped with low flow shower heads and low flush toilets.
• Chillers replaced with more effecient models
• Fluorescent lighting metal halide fixtures replaced with more efficient T5 ballasts (on-going)
• Variable speed frequency drives installed (on-going)
• The main steam plant pipes replaced.
• Boilers in the wood houses replaced (4/year)
• Windows in the residence halls upgraded (on-going)
• Permanent annual capital investment line added to the budget for energy efficiency projects