Amherst College
OP-5: Energy Use

5.1 Energy consumption per square meter

An institution earns 3 points when its annual energy consumption per gross square meter of floor area is less than or equal to a benchmark for its peer group. Incremental points are available based on the institution’s performance between a maximum threshold and the benchmark and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report the most recent annual data available from within the previous three years. Use the most recent single year for which data are available or the annual average from throughout the period. An institution may choose the start and end dates that work best with the data available (e.g., fiscal or calendar year), as long as data are reported from a consecutive 12 month (or three year) period. 

Report floor area for the same time period as that from which energy data are drawn, e.g., an average from throughout the performance period or a snapshot at a single representative point. 

5.2 Energy consumption per person

An institution earns 3 points when its annual energy consumption per full-time equivalent of students and employees is less than or equal to a benchmark for its peer group. Incremental points are available based on the institution’s performance between a maximum threshold and the benchmark and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report population figures from the same time period as that from which energy data are drawn, e.g., an average from throughout the performance period or a snapshot at a single representative point.

5.3 Percentage of energy from renewable sources

An institution earns 3 points when 100 percent of its annual energy consumption is from renewable sources. Incremental points are available and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report on the same performance period used in indicator 5.1. 

The percentage of a utility's standard or default product that is traceable to renewable sources may be included as electricity from uncertified off-site renewable sources to the extent that the renewable attributes of the energy are retained or retired on behalf of the institution (or a group including the institution) and that no other entities can lay claim to the renewable attributes of the same megawatt-hour of generation. An institution whose electricity supplier does not offer a bundled product or retain or retire the renewable attributes of its standard or default product on behalf of its customers may report the percentage of the utility's residual supply that is renewable and has not been claimed in compliance or voluntary markets.

For information about AASHE-approved equivalents, see the STARS Help Center.

5.4 Percentage of electricity from on-site or certified renewable sources

An institution earns 1 point when it supports the development of clean and renewable energy sources to the extent that the energy represented by the options listed below amounts to 100 percent of total electricity consumption. Incremental points are available and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

The figures required for this indicator are automatically drawn from indicators 5.1 and 5.3.

Applicable to all institutions.