Posted on September - 14 - 2010
URI declares 3-year, $18M energy conservation initiative a success
KINGSTON – Three years ago, University of Rhode Island launched an $18 million energy conservation and efficiency initiative that has successfully reduced the institution’s negative impact on the environment, URI said.
The university has reduced electricity use by almost 9 million kilowatt hours, 14,000 gallons of heating oil and 750,000 cubic fee of natural gas. Carbon dioxide emissions were cut by 18 million pounds and nitrous oxide emissions by 16,000 pounds.
“We are extremely pleased and proud that this program has already generated so many significant benefits to our campuses and to the health of the environment,” said Robert Weygand, URI vice president for administration and finance. “It’s the equivalent of removing 1,900 cars from the roadways or planting 2,400 trees. It was a great team effort, and it hasn’t cost us a penny.”
URI will foot the bill for the energy initiative through the savings it will see in its utility bills over the next 12 years.
The university focused on energy efficient upgrades throughout the campuses and residence halls, including new light fixtures, air conditioning systems and windows.
One particularly successful campaign targeted residence hall behavior, encouraging students not to leave on their computers, air conditioning or take excessively long showers.
“The impact of the behavior change campaign was almost double what we expected, based on pilot projects at other universities,” said Scott Finlinson, coordinator of the project for the energy services company Noresco. Students that turned off their computers when not in use increased to 35 percent from 18 percent in four months.
URI will investigate further opportunities for energy savings based on the success of this project, the institution noted.
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