VCU Energy Challenge encourages students, faculty and staff to use energy and water resources wisely

By Michael Ford
University News Services

VCU Utility Cost for Academic Buildings, 2003 $8,630,942 • Electricity 4,726,442 • Natural Gas 2,013,364 • Number 2 Fuel Oil 450,704 • Water/Sewer 1,440,432 Info Courtesy of VCU Energy Challenge

Virginia Commonwealth University renews an initiative this fall that seeks to save 10 percent on utility costs by encouraging students, faculty and staff to use water and energy resources wisely.

The VCU Energy Challenge aims to lessen the use of utilities by increasing energy awareness and by taking other steps to keep buildings and equipment operating as efficiently as possible. The effort will help the university save money and improve environmental quality in the Richmond area.

The savings would be based on the utility costs for VCU academic buildings during fiscal year 2003, which totaled more than $8.6 million. That figure includes costs for electricity, natural gas, No. 2 fuel oil and water and sewer.

VCU Facilities Management staff has created a Web site, www.vcu.edu/energychallenge, which offers useful tips on how to use energy and water more efficiently. Every month there will be informative articles on a wide variety of energy-related issues like whether it is more efficient to turn off computers when not in use; how to use occupancy sensors; and ways to use water most efficiently.

The site includes ways to get the VCU community involved through Waste Watchers, an online bulletin board for reporting energy and water waste on campus, and Bright Ideas, an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to suggest ways VCU can do things more efficiently.

VCU has embarked on a program to install energy and water conservation measures in 15 buildings: the James Branch Cabell Library, the Lyons Dental Building, the Massey Cancer Center, McGuire Hall & Annex, the Medical Sciences Building, Oliver Hall, the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, the Robert Blackwell Smith Building, Sanger Hall, the School of Business, the T. Edward Temple Building, the Tompkins-McCaw Library and the Wood Memorial Building. These measures include installing efficient lighting, water-saving devices and insulation throughout the buildings. University officials estimate the improvements will save $2.7 million in utility costs over 10 years.

VCU Energy Challenge is a response to Executive Order 54, issued two years ago by Gov. Mark R. Warner, requesting state agencies to implement an energy management plan and undertake modifications in internal operations that save energy and money. The order set a goal for all state-sponsored institutions in Virginia to reduce energy use by 10 percent by 2006.

For more information about VCU Energy Challenge, contact Tom O’Keefe at VCU Facilities Management: 828-6604 or tokeefe@vcu.edu.