Behind Every Big Decision, a Lot of Thoughtful Work

The UC Regents recently approved the next component of the Big Shift, an important step forward in our transition away from fossil fuels. (Learn more about this next step in the Big Shift.)

What stands out most to me is everything that goes into a decision like this.

Bringing an item forward through multiple levels of campus approvals and ultimately to the Regents takes an extraordinary amount of work. It means detailed financial models, careful documentation and time spent making sure every number, every assumption and every data point holds up.

Teams across Facilities Management, Design and Construction Management and Budget and Institutional Analysis worked through the details together, asking hard questions, pressure-testing ideas and looking for gaps.

There was also resourcefulness in the process. In this case, the team found multiple funding sources that were restricted just for this specific type of use and they made the project financially viable. For example, the project is eligible for tax incentives for clean energy and storage, potentially reimbursing the project for $25M. That kind of problem-solving takes persistence and a willingness to look beyond campus resources.

With this Big Shift component approved, UC Davis will move from a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 40% reduction — and doubling our projected annual utility savings to $3.15 million. The strength of this work was reflected in the outcome of approval. And, it really matters.

Just as important, this was not the work of any one individual. It reflects the engagement, expertise and commitment of many — including the chancellor and provost. Strong decisions only happen because of that shared effort and aligned interests and I’m grateful to everyone who contributed.