University of Illinois unveils new energy conservation plan

URBANA -- Officials at the University of Illinois say they want to cut energy use in existing buildings on the Urbana-Champaign campus by 10 percent in three years.

Within five years, they'd like to roll back energy use to 1990 levels.

Chancellor Richard Herman called the changes overdue. Soaring energy bills are playing havoc with the university's utility budget.

The emphasis of the new policy will be reducing the running times of energy-using equipment, especially during times when buildings have few occupants.

In most buildings, that means heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems will be shut down at night -- starting this week.

University spokeswoman Robin Kaler says longer-term changes include lighting upgrades and renovation and replacement of inefficient heating and cooling systems.