For many departments on campus, energy and utility costs do not impact research, teaching, or departmental budgets.  The  academic departments are supplied with utilities through the campus administrative budget.  For these departments, an incentive program has been implemented to encourage these units to conserve energy. 

The Energy Conservation Incentive Program (ECIP) awards building upgrades on campus in facilities which have produced top energy conservation results. The ECIP encourages energy conservation through the behavioral and structural changes of academic units and cooperation of building occupants. Each year eight campus buildings will receive ECIP awards in two separate categories.

The ECIP measures energy conservation in buildings as the percentage difference of energy usage during the most recent fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. Building energy consumption is tracked online in the Energy Billing System (EBS). New users may request EBS authentication from Facilities & Services Utilities & Energy Services (UES) Division.

ELIGIBILITY

Most state-supported, non-service facilities with more than 10K square feet will qualify by showing energy conservation during a fiscal year.

CATEGORIES

One category is for buildings whose energy reduction is the result of central funding from a significant energy conservation project (Energy Advancement Category). A second category is for buildings which have not benefited from substantial energy conservation projects in the last fiscal year (Occupant Action Category).

Occupant Action Category

• 1st Place: $50,000 + $6.41/MMBTU avoided
• 2nd Place: $25,000 + $6.41/MMBTU avoided x 75%
• 3rd Place: $15,000 + $6.41/MMBTU avoided x 50%
• 4th Place: $10,000 + $6.41/MMBTU avoided x 25%

Energy Advancement Category

• 1st Place: 50% of $6.41/MMBTU avoided
• 2nd Place: 25% of $6.41/MMBTU avoided
• 3rd Place: 15% of $6.41/MMBTU avoided
• 4th Place: 10% of $6.41/MMBTU avoided

$6.41 = average variable cost per million metric British Thermal Units (MMBTU)