2/18/2008

UMd. to push energy efficiency on campuses

Washington Business Journal
by Sue Schultz Contributing Writer
Monday, February 18, 2008

All of the University System of Maryland's 11 public universities and colleges will go "green" in an effort to meet proposed state mandates to reduce energy consumption.

The system plans to promote a reduction in energy at the schools of 15 percent by 2015 and in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, in line with state conservation and efficiency goals set forth by Gov. Martin O'Malley in Annapolis earlier this month.

USM Chancellor William Kirwan said the schools plan to focus on more environmentally friendly building practices for capital projects, beef up academic and research programs targeting the environment and climate change, and utilize university leaders, researchers and students to address environmental concerns regarding the Chesapeake Bay.

Donald Boesch has been tapped to serve as the vice chancellor of environmental sustainability for USM. He will also continue to serve as the president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.