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OPINION & EDITORIAL

How WE CONSERVE

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by Letters to the Editor

Monday, December 3, 2007

Our university spent $41 million on campus energy in the 2006 fiscal year: 46 percent for electricity, 47 percent for power plant coal/gas/oil and 7 percent for water and sewage. Gov. Doyle has required all state facilities and campuses to reduce energy use by 20 percent in just four years, from 2006 to 2010. UW-Madison needs your help to accomplish this goal. Decreasing our campus energy use will reduce air pollution emissions from campus power plants and will save the university money. Here are some steps you can take:

-Heating, cooling and ventilation use 72 percent of our university's energy. Research labs use 60 percent of our electricity. Set your thermostat low this winter, and close lab hoods when not in use.

-Read and follow the university's "WE CONSERVE" tips available at: www.conserve.wisc.edu/tips.htm.

-Urge our university to reduce coal burning and to install better air pollution controls at our Charter Street power plant. As a result of a recent Sierra Club lawsuit, the plant has agreed to cut coal burning by 15 percent starting this January. While this action will cost $1 to $3 million annually, it is worthwhile for our university to set a good example to the community by converting to cleaner sources of energy. National climate change experts, including NASA's Dr. James Hansen, have asked the United States to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, especially by replacing coal plants with cleaner energy. Urge our campus to do its part.

Energy use stretches beyond the university to home life. The average American uses six times more energy than the world average, with one-fifth of U.S. energy use going to households, one-fourth to transportation and one-third to product manufacturing.

-Choose energy-efficient transportation. Walk, bike, take the bus and carpool. Madison's Community Car program has several hybrid cars in its fleet. If you buy a car, choose one with a high fuel economy to reduce air pollution emissions as well as your gas bills.

-Choose an energy-efficient living space. Forty-two percent of the average American home energy use goes to heating and cooling. Whether you rent or own your home, you can save money by finding a well-insulated, non-drafty abode.

-Educate yourself about energy issues. UW-Madison has a variety of one-time lectures as well as courses on energy and sustainability through its environmental studies, engineering, business and other departments. You can get involved with energy-related research and outreach through the university's Energy Institute, Solar Energy Laboratory, Fusion Technology Institute, Engine Research Center, Power Systems Engineering Research Center and Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment.

-Let the city know the importance of considering sustainability practices in its new economic development plan.

Nina Trautmann

M.S. Land Resources

trautmann@wisc.edu

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Anonymous (December 3, 2007 @ 7:55am):

If the university really wanted to conserve energy, it would do more to encourage people not to heat their classrooms and offices to 80 degrees or higher.

Anonymous (December 3, 2007 @ 8:07am):

If we save money this way, will this result in lower tuition?

Anonymous (December 3, 2007 @ 10:27am):

"If we save money this way, will this result in lower tuition?"

Yer joshing, right?

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