Energy Considerations in Future Facilities (including remodeling and renovations)

  1. Energy and greenhouse gases will be a decision factor in planning for and managing campus growth, remodeling, and development. Projects that are forecasted to increase greenhouse gas emissions will be charged a social cost of carbon that will be set by the Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and Energy as defined by the Energy Management Team.
  2. All major renovations and new construction projects must achieve LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and aspire to the Platinum level of certification, concentrating in areas that drastically reduce building energy use. If projects are greater than $5M, it must also register with the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), while complying with the CAIP checklist for UIC projects. If the project is less than $5M, it must only comply with the CAIP checklist for UIC projects and submitted to the university. If UIC buildings are to contribute to UIC becoming a Carbon Neutral Campus by 2050, they are to be designed towards the path of Net Zero Energy ready. All buildings shall reduce energy demand of buildings well below ASHRAE Standard 90.1, the commercial provisions of the latest International Energy Conservation Code, and shall exceed standards set by the current Illinois Energy Conservation Code.
  3. During renovation and new construction, water conservation measures shall be implemented. UIC’s Urban Transformation 2.0: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Implementation Plan shall be used as a guide to minimize storm water runoff to sewer systems. All new irrigation systems must have “smart” sensors.