New energy policy geared toward savings and conservation
July 15, 2009
University Park, Pa. -- Penn State has adopted a wide-ranging Energy Conservation Policy (AD 64) designed to lower the University’s energy consumption through employee and student action. The policy contains guidelines to encourage employees and students to reduce energy use and support Penn State’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Employees and students will be expected to reduce their use of energy through the intelligent use of lighting, computers, heating, cooling, appliances and office equipment.
With the current economic climate and the rising need to reduce energy use, Penn State's new policy should result in substantial savings and have a positive impact on the environment.
“We are confident that the new energy policy will guide employees and students down the path of smart energy use, and we urge everyone to do their part," said Erik Foley, manager of Penn State’s Sustainability Office. "We'll be rolling out a number of different programs to support smart energy use and make changing habits as easy as possible.”
Penn State's population makes it a large user of energy and in challenging economic times it is critical to use resources responsibly. Recently, the unit cost of energy increased dramatically, resulting in Penn State’s energy bills almost doubling.
“The yearly cost of electricity at University Park alone is about $24 million," according to Robert Cooper, director of energy and engineering at Physical Plant. "Energy is a significant expense in all University operating budgets, and is an important factor in determining the level of tuition.”
Physical Plant will continue to work to make buildings more energy efficient, but occupants have a major part to play in reducing energy use through their consumption of energy and their behavior. In fact, about 30 percent of energy use is under the control of building occupants. Some of the actions expected from employees and students are:
- Turn off lights in unoccupied spaces.
- Limit the use of personal appliances.
- Change incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs wherever possible.
- Set occupied spaces (where manual control provided) no higher than 70 degrees in winter and no lower than 75 degrees in summer. In some facilities, OPP can do this automatically, but most buildings must rely on occupants to set the temperature.
- Limit distribution and use of portable electric heaters.
- Operate window air conditioning units only when spaces are occupied.
- Purchase “Energy Star” computers.
- Turn off peripheral equipment (such as printers) when not in use.
- Make all office equipment “Energy Star” purchases.
- Encourage students to turn off and unplug gaming consoles when not in use.
- Close fume hood sashes when not in use.
- Report energy waste to Physical Plant at: www.opp.psu.edu.
The policy’s goal of reducing energy use isn’t only about immediate financial benefit, although that is the main goal. Future increases in energy costs due to carbon legislation and other market forces will further increase energy costs. Reduction of energy use now will guard against these increases.
For more than a decade, Penn State has been focused on energy efficiency. More recently, in 2006, Penn State developed an environmental strategy to achieve 17.5 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2012. Energy consumption is responsible for about 83 percent of Penn State’s greenhouse gas emissions, so energy conservation is the most significant way to reduce the University's emissions. This goal is aggressive, according to Cooper, considering the continued growth of the University. However, Cooper and others believe the goal is achievable.
"We believe this policy will result in cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more efficient University," Foley said. "The simple act of switching off a light bulb may help save jobs in lean economic times. Individual action can truly make a big difference."
Foley said he believes this policy will empower everyone on campus to contribute ideas and be leaders in their school, department and unit.
The policy pertains to all Penn State-owned or leased facilities, except The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The new Energy Conservation Policy, AD-64 can be found at http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD64.html. Additional energy saving guidelines are available at Penn State’s Take Charge Web site at www.takecharge.psu.edu.
Contact Paul Ruskin pdr2@psu.edu