Advanced technology, use of natural gas and other operational efficiencies at the university’s two campus power plants have resulted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DoE) formally recognizing the facilities for their avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions in 2011.
The Climate Protection Partnerships Division — a program partnership between the EPA and DoE — last month notified U-M of its recognition. The university has been a member of the program since 2002 when it received the Energy Star Award for the Central Power Plant (CPP).
Emissions data from the university’s CPP and North Campus Research Complex power plant for 2011 was submitted and analyzed, and the EPA determined that the facilities avoided an output of 36,000 metric tons of emissions. That amount is comparable to the electricity required to power 16,249 U.S. homes.
“By producing more of our own energy at our two power plants, we are able to provide heat, electricity and steam to the campus in a highly efficient manner,” says Richard Robben, executive director for plant operations. “We are very pleased that the EPA and Department of Energy have formally recognized our efforts to avoid carbon outputs and our commitment to sustainability here at the University of Michigan.”
