University of Maryland announces Presidents Energy Initiative

Campus wide policies aim to reduce electricity use 20% by 2020

Campus wide policies set a new standard in energy conservation

College Park, MD, April 22, 2014 University of Maryland President, Wallace Loh, celebrated Earth
Day by announcing three historic energy initiatives to be adapted by campus.
In a campus wide email, Dr. Loh stated, The University of Maryland cannot prevent the effects of
climate change on its own, but it can be part of the solution,. stated In a campus wide email, Dr. Loh in
a campus wide email.stated, In the spirit of global collaboration toward this common challenge, I
announce three new energy initiatives for the university.

The energy initiatives include:

1. Presidents Energy Conservation Initiative Sets a goal of reducing electricity use on campus
by 20% by 2020, which puts the university on track to meet the U.S. Department of Energys
Better Buildings Challenge. Facilities Management (FM) is in the process of identifying the
campus facilities that are the best candidates for energy performance upgrades. FM will carry out
many energy related projects over the coming years, which will improve efficiency, reduce
operating expenses, and improve occupant comfort.

2. Presidents Carbon Neutral New Development Initiative Sets a goal of negating new
greenhouse gas emissions from new construction and major renovations through energy efficient
design and renewable power. FM will design new buildings to strict energy performance
standards. Any energy used by a new facility will come from renewable energy sources.

3. Presidents Initiative on Purchased Power Sets a goal of eliminating carbon emissions from
purchased electricity by 2020 through the purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources.
The campus currently purchases more than 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from regional
power sources, about 20% of which is produced by wind and solar power. By 2020, the university
will only purchase electricity produced off campus from carbon neutral energy sources.

These initiatives were created by Dr. Loh to helpill help the university achieve its Climate Action Plan
goal of cutting our carbon footprint in half by 2020. However, these actions, though significant, will not
be enough to meet that goal. ItThis will take a campus-wide effort.

I encourage you to do what you can to reduce environmental impacts associated with commuting and air
travel, which are two major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. If we all do our part, it will add up to
real change, said Dr. Loh.

Read President Lohs Earth Day letter in its entirety here.
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Comment [MB1]: I broke this up because
the whole release turns into a quote. Maybe
add something to put it into your own words?
The University of Maryland, Office of Sustainability supports and advances environmental performance,
economic prosperity and social equality through sustainable policies, practices and curricula for the
campus community.

Contact:
Andrew Muir, Communications Coordinator, Office of Sustainability, 301-405-7068