The campus utilities unit has the responsibility to provide utilities in an economic, efficient, safe and timely manner. The service utilities include high pressure steam, storm and sanitary sewer, domestic water, electricity and natural gas.
The campus utilities unit collaborates with other facilities management departments using well developed, thoughtful and proactive customer service, maintenance and safety programs that allow the unit to maintain a user-friendly, safe and clean work environment.
Steam and electricity for main campus are generated by a gas co-generated power plant owned and operated by Western Michigan University. Currently, the Beam Power Plant is powered by natural gas.
The parkview campus has a separate Energy Resource Center that is also owned and operated by WMU. The Energy Resource Center provides steam, electricity and chilled water to the Paper Pilot Plant and Engineering and Applied Sciences Building.
Effective management and operation of these systems is critical to providing a comfortable, constructive, and supportive environment in which the University can carry on its main mission of education and research. WMU utilities deliver services to over 150 buildings.