In 2023, the University of Minnesota achieved over 8 million kilowatt hours in electricity savings, exceeding the goal we set in partnership with Xcel Energy! That’s enough electricity to power 880 average Minnesota homes for a year and avoid 5 million pounds of CO2 emissions.
The Minnesota Legislature has deemed energy efficiency very important for decades, as it helps keep energy costs lower, avoid construction of power plants, and reduce pollution. Legislation states that in order to receive state funding for buildings both existing and new, the University must meet energy efficiency standards. Similarly, utilities, like Xcel Energy, have certain energy efficiency goals required by the state. The U and other major utility customers are offered an incentive, in the form of a rebate, to help them reach that energy savings goal.
With support from other Facilities Management areas and campus customers, Energy Management’s work on energy efficiency allows the institution to reduce costs, achieve our sustainability goals, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This year’s rebate, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, ultimately goes back into a cycle within the University, allowing us to continue investing in energy reduction and working to reduce our energy use. We hit 8.2 million kilowatt hour (kWh) in savings this year, meeting electricity consumption and demand reduction (i.e. kilowatts or kW) goals thus earning the U a bonus Xcel rebate. Energy saved is energy the institution didn’t have to purchase, which contributes to keeping tuition costs down for students in addition to benefiting the environment.
With each new year, savings are more difficult to find because the "low hanging fruit" have already been reduced, so Energy Management staff find creative ways to continue saving energy through various projects across campus. While many types of projects in all five campus districts achieved energy savings on campus, these are the major projects that helped the University achieve this goal: lighting, ventilation improvement, design assistance, building recommissioning & controls upgrades and motor control.
Thanks to Energy Management and all who support these efforts!
The Office of Sustainability and Parking and Transportation Services launched our new hybrid electric buses with fall festivities! You will see three of the hybrid electric buses around campus currently, with five more coming this winter. We are always working to lower emissions as part of our Climate Action Plan. 🔋🔌 These buses are about three to four times more efficient overall than the standard campus buses. They use EV mode in more congested areas on campus and they recharge with regenerative braking between Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses and in less congested areas. Take a ride to see for yourself! 🚌 Read more
Two Spring Break study abroad programs are now open for students interested in sustainability and global health. Spend March 6–15, 2026 exploring Green Chemistry in Guatemala or The Intersection of Health and the Environment in Ecuador. Both programs connect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and include an on-campus course. Apply by December 1, 2025, with a $1,000 fee reduction for the first 10 confirmed students per program. Learn more
We’re hiring a Student Sustainability Communications Assistant! Open to undergrads passionate about sustainability, social media, writing, and graphic design. Help advance campus sustainability and engagement through communications! 👉 Apply: Search Job ID: 370820 in the Student Job section.
The Office of Sustainability is rethinking how we engage our campus—and we need your perspective. Spend 2 minutes on this quick survey to help us create impactful events and programs that reflect what you care about. Take the survey.
Join us on Wednesday, November 5 for the official launch of our new hybrid electric campus buses! Stop by on Church St. outside Morrill Hall from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for games, prizes, and cider. Take a guided tour of one of the new buses and learn about University of Minnesota sustainability initiatives, the Climate Action Plan, and campus bus routes. See you there! 🍁🎉🔋🔌🚌 Add to calendar
For the first time, the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium achieved zero waste–recovering an incredible 90% of waste (46,000 pounds) generated during the Farm Aid 40 concert. Learn about Gopher Athletics sustainability efforts
Join us for conversations on campus sustainability and climate action! This fall, we’ll explore two timely topics:
- Electrifying our Fleet – Wed, Oct 15 · 10–11am
Hear from UMN experts about recent progress and future plans for electrifying campus vehicles. - Net Zero Buildings – Tue, Nov 11 · 9–10am
Learn from UMN leaders and Darcy Solutions about designing and building net zero facilities, including the new Collections Facility powered by solar and a geothermal Darcy Well.
Free and open to the public on Zoom. More info
Is your lab interested in participating in the next cohort of the Green Labs Certification Program? Want to learn more about the program? Curious about how to operate your lab more sustainably? Join the informal, one hour info session on Zoom! Reach out to Carley Rice, Sustainability Coordinator, with any questions.
Zoom Info Session: Wednesday 9/17/25, 12:00-1:00pm
Students, staff, and faculty: Share how you are experiencing the UMN campus in the face of climate change. We are looking for focus group participants to interview to understand what hardships you may be facing due to environmental changes.
Email [email protected] with questions.
New online training is available for staff, faculty, instructors, and student employees! Whether you're new to sustainability or already an everyday sustainability hero on campus, you can learn how to contribute to the University's systemwide sustainability goals for the future in under 30 minutes. Be part of the U's community working to build a sustainable future together!