Dear Campus Community,
Heating and ventilation will again be curtailed on the Berkeley campus during the period from the end of the business day Tuesday, December 22, 2020 through Monday, January 4, 2021. During the entire curtailment period, faculty and staff are encouraged to plan to be away from campus to allow for effective curtailment of campus facilities.
Reducing energy and steam use during the winter break last year created cost savings to the campus through energy reductions of 1,026,000 kWh and 5,551,000 lbs of steam resulting in the equivalent emissions of 673 metric tons of CO2
We are asking units for as much participation in this effort as possible this year. The financial savings are of critical importance in this budget environment. Equally importantly, the emission reductions are significant and help address our carbon footprint.
Units interested in curtailing energy for a longer period of time are also welcome to contact the Energy Office to schedule a longer setback period.
Exemption Requests
Please consider whether an exemption is truly necessary before requesting one. The Energy Office is willing to work with building managers to come up with a curtailment plan which works for your building, through partial curtailment, off hours setbacks or other measures. Please contact the Energy Office at energyoffice@berkeley.edu to discuss options.
The procedure will consider ALL buildings for curtailment unless an exemption request is submitted. Only heat, ventilation, and lighting will be curtailed; normal electric service will be maintained at all times. Heads of units with temperature-sensitive facilities, essential lab ventilation systems, and public service operations may request an exemption by completing the Request for Exemption Form. This form must be submitted no later than Friday, December 11, 2020. A final list of approved exemptions will be sent out after all requests are reviewed.
Requests for exemption will be considered on the following criteria:
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Controlled temperature area
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Operating chemical fume hoods
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Essential safety, security, or accounting operations
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Retail operations
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Essential medical facility
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Monitoring system needs
Labs and research buildings are expected to participate in energy curtailment if at all possible. Again, we encourage facility managers to work with the Energy Office to come up with a plan which will work for your building.
Any technical questions regarding the curtailment should be directed to the Energy Office at the email address above.
Policy or contract questions concerning curtailment should be directed to your Employee Relations Specialist.Sincerely,
Sally McGarrahan
AVC Facilities Services