 In 2001 , the Environmental Protection Agency sued MIT for violating the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act with regard to its hazardous waste storage and disposal procedures . MIT settled the suit by paying a $ 155 @,@ 000 fine and launching three environmental projects . In connection with capital campaigns to expand the campus , the Institute has also extensively renovated existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency . MIT has also taken steps to reduce its environmental impact by running alternative fuel campus shuttles , subsidizing public transportation passes , and building a low @-@ emission cogeneration plant that serves most of the campus electricity , heating , and cooling requirements . 
