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Building a Sustainable Energy Campus

The New Energy for Campuses plan is a brief summary of campus strategies compiled by researchers at the Apollo Alliance and Energy Action.  The document suggests six basic energy-saving reforms:

• Upgrade to Efficiency: replace inefficient appliances and upgrade inefficient buildings

• Build Better: all new buildings should be high performance and energy efficient

• Move to Clean Power: buy or generate electricity from renewable resources

• Expand Transportation Alternatives: make it easy to get around on less fuel

• Implement Green Purchasing: buy products that use less energy, last longer, and are better for the environment

• Institutionalize Conservation: create a culture of conservation on campus.

GCSU Energy Conservation Efforts

The GCSU campus has made many important energy efficiency improvements.  Our work has been greatly aided by a recent statewide initiative to incorporate energy saving measures.

• DRAFT Sustainable Energy Management Plan

• BOR Press Release on the Energy Plan

GCSU Facilities has been working for many years to establish cost-saving energy conservation methods. 

In March 2006, the GCSU Campus Energy Use & Conservation Task Force was created by a special directive from President Dorothy Leland.  The group was charged with increasing energy awareness and engaging the GCSU community in actions that can decrease our energy use and improve our operating efficiency.

The task force identified several goals to guide its work:

• Create opportunities for everyone on campus to understand the concepts of energy production

• Conduct an Energy Audit to find out where our energy dollars are going, and publicize the sources and quantities of energy consumption for our campus

• Educate our community on the amount of energy consumed by our campus and its members on a daily, monthly, and annual basis

• Link the Parking Program with campus gasoline usage, including staff, faculty, and student drivers

• Link Health Issues with energy use, for example encouraging alternative transportation like walking or biking.

In November 2007, the scope of the committee was broadened, and was renamed the GCSU Green Initiative.

Campus Energy Usage

The GCSU Campus Energy Use & Conservation Task Force began in March 2006 as a special directive from President Dorothy Leland.  The group was committed to increasing energy awareness and engaging the GCSU community in actions that can decrease our energy use and improve our operating efficiency. 

One primary interest the task force has is to help educate the campus to improve energy efficiency through voluntary actions.  In November 2007, the committee elected to broaden the scope of their work, and was renamed the GCSU Green Initiative.

Energy Recommendations

Policy recommendations for Energy Conservation and Efficiency activities are currently being developed by the GCSU Green Initiative Task Force.

Energy Conservation in the Community

As an integral part of the local community, Georgia College & State University seeks to provide a model of energy efficiency for others to examine.  Although we have a historical campus, we are excited about the opportunities to retrofit our buildings with the most modern energy saving solutions.

Global Implications of Your Energy Use

Recent concern about global warming is directly tied to energy use, because heating and cooling represent a great portion of the greenhouse gas emissions.  By saving energy, we will be saving future citizens from devastating environmental changes that may flood their economy with unnecessary costs.

Doing the right thing by saving energy today not only saves us money, but it saves our wildlife, our sensitive environments, and our spiritual connection to the natural world.

Coverdell Institute Global Warming Teach-In Presentations

    30 Jan 07- Background

    20 Feb 07- Impacts on Human Systems

Energy Related Links

What You Can Do to reduce Energy Use