Total energy use at U-M-Ann Arbor declined slightly, while rates of recycling and use of alternative transportation increased, Henry Baier, associate vice president for facilities and operations, told the Board of Regents at its Dec. 13 meeting.
In his presentation, Baier unveiled a draft of U-M’s first Annual Environmental Report that utilized the Environmental Data Repository (EDR), an Excel-based database tool developed by students, faculty and staff in 2005. The EDR reports the University’s environmental performance in eight key indicators and more than 50 operational metrics.
“The EDR is useful to see trending over years,” Baier said. “It is a comprehensive collection in one place and helps focus our environmental efforts.”
The report notes that not all trends are moving in a positive direction. Water use and transportation energy consumption are on the rise. Increased use and service hours of the U-M transit system, however, also have resulted in the increased consumption.
“Participants in our van pool program logged nine million miles last year,” Baier said. “That means we did not have to build 900 more parking spaces.
“Campuswide, we are recycling 30 percent of our solid waste. Since 1991 we’ve given to charities 138 tons of belongings students leave behind when they move out.
“I also want to acknowledge that Housing and the Health System have active environmental programs.”
Publication of the Annual Environmental Report completes one element of the six-point Environmental and Energy Initiative Baier introduced to the campus community in April 2007. Other updates on the plan include staff members working with DTE Energy to identify access to renewable energy sources and an updated procurement Web site so staff members can access “green” purchasing options. He also said new campus construction and renovation projects are being built to exceed industry environmental standards.
The 36-page report is scheduled to be finalized mid-January and will be available online at www.oseh.umich.edu/Stewardship/2007AER.pdf.
