As Energy Costs rise, how have U.S. Universities & Colleges responded?
Bloomberg.com reported last Thursday that " Energy costs for U.S. colleges and universities soared 14 percent in the 12 months ending June 30, putting pressure on institutions with limited means of raising revenue". (Energy Costs Soar 14% in Year for U.S Universities).
Here's a question to campuses - Has your campus been active in conservation measures and energy efficiency projects the last year and if so, has your campus reduced energy costs as a result?
We'd love to hear your stories on balancing the increased energy costs while trying to saving money.
Many campuses that have signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) are working to conserve and become more efficient in their quest for carbon neutrality. Below is a quick sample of news stories from ACUPCC signatory campuses from the last week on their efforts to reduce energy loads.
University of California, San Diego- Parking Areas with Solar Trees -A partnership between the University and Envision Solar. According to the press release, "Steel components have already taken shape, forming the framework for Solar Trees(TM) that will soon be fitted with a canopy of Kyocera photovoltaic modules to provide clean energy for the campus, shade for vehicle parking, future infrastructure for electric vehicles, and a pleasant visual surprise on the top of the garage".
Wesleyan University- Cost constrict campus green efforts - although constrained by costs, the University works to make sustainability a priority, " Several projects were completed on campus this past summer, including the construction of multiple new senior student houses, which were built with geothermal heating and cooling. Additionally, 13 woodframe houses received new windows, seven were insulated, and new hot water lines were installed in High Rise, which will provide hot water while saving on energy and cost".
Drew University - Green projects aim to change campus culture - "We've always had a lot of good intentions," Professor of Economics Fred Curtis said. "But in the last year, we've vamped it up a lot and this year we'll ramp it up even more. It's a lot of stuff you see and a lot of stuff you don't see." The biggest thing that Drew is doing now is the new dorm, Curtis said.
The dorm is going to be a certified green building able to generate heating and cooling by tapping into the ground.
University of North Texas - We Mean Green - "The university reduced its carbon footprint by a half-billion pounds in the past 10 years, saving more than $12 million in energy costs."
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - How can we reduce our carbon footprint? - The difficulties of a growing, state school are examined, "From 2003-2007, the physical size of the campus grew by 20 percent (2.75 million square feet). During the same time, energy consumption per square foot in campus buildings fell by 8 percent. We are just finishing up putting in an energy building management system where everything is controlled centrally and we can turn off heat and air conditioning or change it, and right now it's up but it's not nearly as functional as it can be when it's finished," said Carolyn Elfland, the associate vice chancellor
