Construction was completed this winter on the new super-efficient, super-green, and super good-looking UMass Amherst Central Heating Plant. The $133 million facility was a 10-year project that represents a major step in the transformation of the campus into a showcase of environmentally progressive initiatives. The new plant replaces a coal-fired facility built more than 80 years ago. It relies on natural gas and diesel for fuel and is capable of generating both steam and electricity. The campus has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 24 percent and reduced its energy consumption by 21 percent over the past four years. Greenhouse gases are expected to decrease by another 6 percent in the coming year as the Central Heating Plant increases capacity.

The campus is also moving forward on the renewable energy front. The sunny south-facing Fine Arts Center has been selected as a potential site for solar generating panels to be installed and funded by Western Massachusetts Electric Co. The proposal is under review by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.