The university is pursuing a new way to meet its energy needs through the lens of four goals:
1) Reliable
Provide energy solutions that are robust, safe, and reliable while also providing improvements to the steam and electrical distribution infrastructure of UMaine’s campus
2) Renewable
Meet UMaine’s 2007 Climate Leadership Commitment (formerly ACUPCC) to reduce its net Greenhouse Gas Emissions to zero metric tons by 2040 partly using alternative fuels, renewable energy, purchased offsets and efficiency improvements
3) Low Cost
Minimize costs associated with energy, including maintenance and operation of UMaine’s steam and electrical infrastructure on the Orono campus, which includes district steam heating and electrical distribution
4) Stable Cost
Provide an overall delivered energy cost structure that is predictable and stable into the future