The University of Massachusetts Amherst and Eversource have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding continuing their energy-efficiency partnership with the goal of saving the university $1.8 million in energy costs annually.

The non-binding agreement runs through the first half of 2020 and includes a tentative list of campus projects in which Eversource will participate as an energy advisor. This is the second such agreement setting actions and commitments for the two parties. The first was signed in 2014.

"We are pleased to renew this important part of our working relationship with Eversource," said Andrew Mangels, vice chancellor for administration and finance. "The partnership has already contributed significantly to reducing electrical consumption on campus, and it has supported the UMass Amherst commitment to sustainability, reduced carbon emissions and responsible use of energy."

Under the second agreement, as the first, UMass Amherst will collaborate with Eversource early in the design of new construction and major renovations to achieve significant energy savings. In addition, Eversource will help the university secure incentives to offset the cost of new projects.

"UMass Amherst has been a shining example of efficient and sustainable growth," said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency Tilak Subrahmanian. "We are excited to announce our ongoing collaboration, which will help the university continue to cut energy costs, grow efficiently and contribute to a cleaner and healthier state environment."

UMass Amherst and Eversource are currently working together on a series of improvements across campus including additional campus-wide LED upgrades, enhancements to HVAC systems, and the continuation of its Green Labs initiative, which targets research labs on campus to reduce ventilation airflow and energy usage while improving lab safety.

Under the new three-year partnership, Eversource will help UMass Amherst secure incentives to offset the cost of new projects, such as LED exterior fixtures and campus-wide measures, which will deliver year after year energy and cost savings - and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 4,800 metric tons.

Also, UMass Amherst and Eversource will work together to recruit student interns, entry-level engineers and business graduates for open positions at Eversource.

Eversource, successor to Northeast Utilities/WMECo, supplies approximately 30 percent of the electricity used by the university. Approximately 70 percent is generated at the Central Heating Plant and by solar photovoltaic installations around campus.

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