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FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington President Theodora J. Kalikow and UMF’s Sustainable Campus Coalition were recently recognized by Maine Congressman Michael H. Michaud and the U.S. House of Representatives for their efforts in making a clean energy campus a reality.
Kalikow’s leadership in guiding the campus towards energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gases and long-term energy costs was noted in the Congressional Record as an inspiration to institutions everywhere. In addition, the University’s SCC, a group of students, faculty, staff and community members that promote environmental sustainability on campus and in the area community, was applauded by the legislative record for its collaborative efforts towards a clean energy future.
“I’d like to convey my personal thanks to Congressman Michaud for recognizing the progress that UMF has made towards environmental sustainability and energy conservation,” said Kalikow. “This is very gratifying to the many students, faculty and staff at UMF who are working so hard to conserve resources. We couldn’t be prouder of our results.”
The Congressional Record went on to note that earlier this month, Kalikow announced the University’s finalization of an ambitious roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2035. Developed by the Sustainable Campus Coalition at little to no cost to the University, UMF’s Climate Action Plan identifies a number of strategies to reduce carbon emissions, including implementing energy efficient behavior and policies, ensuring future structures conform to LEED standards and investing in the use of renewable energy.
The formal acknowledgment concluded by observing that according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the UMF campus currently uses approximately 20 percent fewer BTU’s per square foot than the national average for colleges of similar size in similar climates. Also, that a new geothermal heating and cooling system at UMF is projected to save $60,000 and 325 metric tons of carbon emissions per year. Additionally, it noted that despite an 11 percent increase in campus building space over the last five years, UMF has still managed to reduce campus-wide energy costs by 5 percent.
