Summit News Room

May 31, 2011

MIT named Business Leader for Energy Efficiency

University Recognized for Its Commitment to Achieving Significant Energy Savings

LEXINGTON, MA – Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has announced that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will be recognized as a ‘Business Leader for Energy Efficiency’ at the Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit in Warwick, RI on June 8, 2011. Nominated by NSTAR Electric and Gas, the Institute is being honored for its continued efforts to advance energy efficiency in its campus operations which have resulted in annual energy savings of over 12,611,228 kWh, and total cost savings of over $50 million throughout the lifetime of the improvements.

The world-renowned university is being recognized for the tremendous savings which have been achieved as part of its groundbreaking collaborative energy conservation and efficiency program with NSTAR called, Efficiency Forward. The program, which launched in 2010, is investing nearly $14 million over the next three years, with an innovative funding strategy that leverages funds from MIT, NSTAR incentive payments and reinvestment of energy savings.

“MIT and NSTAR designed Efficiency Forward as a new model for utility efficiency programs to support the Massachusetts Green Communities Act,” said Penni Conner, NSTAR’s Vice President of Customer Care. “The program is playing a vital role in helping to make energy efficiency Massachusetts’ “first fuel” and NSTAR is proud to be working with more customers throughout the state to model this innovative partnership.”

Highlights of the Efficiency Forward program include a campus-wide lighting retrofit project that will upgrade lamps and ballasts, install occupancy sensors and to increase daylight sensing where applicable. Another project will implement variable speed drives in dormitories in order to reduce fan energy in dorm rooms by 40 percent. Also, buildings including the new Sloan School of Management incorporate innovative heat-recovery strategies, high-efficiency building envelopes and heating and cooling methods that significantly reduce energy consumption.

“MIT is dedicated to maximizing our energy efficiency investment through our Efficiency Forward program,” said Walter Henry, MIT’s Director, Engineering Division, Campus Planning, Engineering & Project Management.. “The Institute has committed to an ambitious goal of reducing annual electrical use on campus by 34 million kWh within three years – equivalent to 15 percent of our current electrical use, and we are well on our way to achieving that goal. In the first year, we have reached a total energy savings of nearly 13 million kWh – almost 3 million kWh higher than we had anticipated.”

“NEEP is proud to recognize MIT and NSTAR Electric and Gas for their collaborative success and commitment to energy efficiency,” said Sue Coakley, Executive Director of NEEP. “MIT provides an excellent example of how energy efficient measures can improve a company’s bottom line, contribute to economic growth and reduce environmental impact.”

MIT will be recognized, along with 11 other Northeast Energy Efficiency Business Leaders at the 2011 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit. Members of the media are invited to attend at no charge. For more information about the Summit and Business Leaders Recognition program, please visit http://neep.org/neep-summit.

Other 2011 Northeast Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency include: BAE Systems, Inc., Nashua, NH; Building Land & Technology, Stamford, CT; Cabot Creamery, Cabot, VT; Cape Air, Hyannis, MA; FM Global, Johnston, RI; Plenus Group, Lowell, MA; Positive Promotions, Hauppauge, NY; PTI Industries, Enfield, CT; St. Paul's School, Concord, NH; Westfield Trumbull Shopping Center, Trumbull CT; Yankee Candle, South Deerfield, MA.

About the Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit

NEEP's Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit, June 7-8, is the premier regional forum to learn about and become involved in energy efficiency in the Northeast. This two-day event brings together leaders from across the region in public policy, business, energy efficiency solutions, and consumer and environmental advocacy to support the vision of energy efficiency as a solution to the challenge of reliable and clean energy. Esteemed speakers plus exhibits from up to 40 exhibitors will also showcase the benefits, successes and challenges of public policies and programs that advance energy efficiency as the leading clean energy resource for the Northeast. Register and find out about Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities today at www.neep.org/neep-summit

About NEEP

NEEP is a non-profit organization that transforms the way we use and think about energy. Through advocacy, collaboration and education we focus on three areas where we believe energy efficiency can have the greatest impact: buildings, high efficiency products & best practices. Our unique approach helps bring together all stakeholders to accelerate energy efficiency and highlight its impacts on the region, the economy, and the planet. For more information, visit www.neep.org.

About NSTAR Gas and Electric

NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities.