Maryland Higher Education Commission

Maryland Higher Education Commission Green Initiatives

Governor O’Malley has been a national leader when it comes to energy efficiency. His EmPOWER Maryland initiative sets the most aggressive energy efficiency target in the country – a 15 percent per capita reduction in electricity consumption by 2015. The plan calls for State agencies to improve building operations and expand their use of energy performance contracting. Governor O’Malley will ensure accountability by incorporating energy issues into the StateStat process, which will help state agencies track their progress and assist in achieving the statewide energy efficiency goals. This plan is consistent with Senate Bill 267 (Chapter Act 427, 2006) the State Buildings Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which requires the average energy consumption in State Buildings be reduced by 10 percent by 2010.

The energy consumption for 2009 is to be 5% below the 2006 levels. To meet the 5% goal everyone at MHEC has worked together to save energy. In comparing calendar year 2008 with calendar year 2006, MHEC has decreased the electricity use by more than 16 percent.

Listed below are energy conservation measures that MHEC is following to conserve energy.

1. Turning off lights that are near windows.  Taking advantage of natural lighting or day lighting by turning off lights near these areas.

2. Contacting MHEC’s Director of Administrative Services if employees’ lighting level in their area is too bright.

3. Reporting any flickering or burned out fluorescent lamps.  When lamps burn out, the ballast continues to use power and generate heat.

4. Not using any incandescent light bulbs, but replacing with fluorescent lights.

5. Using task lighting instead of brightly lighting the entire room.

6. Turning off and/or unplugging unused equipment (e.g., printers, cell phone chargers, fans, coffeemakers, radios) and other devices that drain energy when not in use.

7. Enabling power management features (i.e., sleep mode) on all office equipment (e.g., photocopiers, printers, and computers).

8. Turning off office equipment (e.g., computers, monitors, photocopiers, printers, calculators) at the end of the work day, if possible. After leaving desk for an extended time, employees are turning off their monitor.

9. Turning off (or reducing use of) portable fans and/or electric heaters in conditioned space.  Inform Administrative Services of temperature control deficiencies in problem areas.

10. Closing or adjusting window blinds to block direct sunlight to reduce cooling needs during warm months.

11. In the winter months, open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your workspace. At night, close the blinds to reduce heat loss at night.

12. Keeping outside doors closed when the heating or air conditioner is on.

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