Energy & Emissions
Although the burning of fossil fuels creates many direct and indirect issues for human health and the environment, such as air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, they will remain a part of our energy mix for the foreseeable future. The best way to mitigate these effects in the short term is to focus on energy efficiency and conservation.
Sustainability Vision
UNO uses energy efficiently and strives to have energy produced from renewable and carbon-neutral sources equal to the amount consumed. UNO uses existing, efficient building spaces to their fullest.
Our Goals and Progress
Initiatives
General Energy & Emission Programs
- UNO publishes a GHG Inventory every year. To find all Inventories, along with other reports, visit UNO Sustainability's Reports & Assessments page.
- A building temperature policy was adopted in May 2009 to conserve energy and make best use of our resources.
Lighting Projects
- Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lamp Upgrades:
- Installed in most of our buildings.
- Replaced high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps in our parking structures and perimeter roadways.
- Occupancy Sensor Installation:
- Installed in all new construction and renovation projects.
- Installed in existing buildings during lighting retrofit projects.
Energy Management
- Continuous real-time monitoring and trend analysis of energy use is conducted by Maintenance and Operations Services to ensure proper and efficient operations.
- Buildings are "powered down" during the holidays.
- Instructs campus users to power down and shut off equipment, purchase Energy Star equipment, and other energy saving practices.
Maintenance and Operations Upgrades
- Efficiency improvements to the Central Utilities Plant, including new chillers.
- Energy efficient HVAC systems are being installed.
Renewable Energy Programs
- The Barn at Glacier Creek Preserve uses geothermal for its heating and cooling needs.