About Planet Blue Teams.

The Planet Blue Teams comprise one of the six-points in the University’s Environmental and Energy Initiative (EEI) – an outcome of the President’s Environmental Task Force to “…plan for UM to develop a more sustainable future.” The EEI seeks to make the campus more sustainable in the wake of rising energy costs, climate change concerns, and depleting resources. The other five points of the EEI are:

• Annual Environmental Report
• Alternative energy
• Alternative transportation
• Green purchasing
• Sustainable new construction/renovation

Planet Blue, a campus-wide educational and outreach campaign, will serve as the platform for introducing the university community to the Environmental and Energy Initiative. Planet Blue Teams are comprised of facility managers, plant operations personnel, and unit/building representatives.

The University has been working for the past three decades to improving the energy efficiency of our buildings. Now, we invite you to work with us in conserving energy, increasing recycling, and protecting our environment. In coming months, Planet Blue Team members will work with you and your colleagues to identify additional opportunities for energy conservation and recycling in your building.

A one percent reduction in utility usage translates to over $1,000,000 in annual savings for the University. These savings will be available to further advance the mission of the University.

Planet Blue outreach efforts are guided in part, by findings and recommendations from a study conducted by The Institute for Social Research on the attitudes and practices of the University community regarding utilities conservation and energy efficient practices in the workplace.

To find more information about key Planet Blue partners, please visit:

• Plant Operations - Energy Management
• Plant Operations -Recycling Program
• Institute for Social Research
• OSEH - Environmental Stewardship

For more information on Planet Blue, contact us at planetblue@umich.edu.