Spring Break
University moves to cut energy costs
CAREY O'NEIL
Issue date: 6/25/09 Section: News
The University saved more than $14,000 last week in energy costs, a full $4,000 higher than their goal, due to the efforts of students, faculty and staff.
After Georgia Power, energy provider for the University, notified University Physical Plant staff that prices were likely to increase dramatically, an e-mail was sent to members of the University asking them to conserve power on campus by unplugging unused electronics and turning off lights.
"We want to do as much as we can, but we don't want to make people miserable," said Ken Crowe, director of Physical Plant Energy Services.
"We don't want to create a sense that we're in a crisis mode, but we know there's enough people out there who are concerned about saving energy and saving money," he said. "People can think, 'OK, I sat in my office with the lights off today, but I did my part.'"
Crowe said students and Athens residents probably do not need to worry about any increase in their energy bills.
Unlike average residents, who pay for energy at a flat rate, usually about 12 cents for each unit of energy used, 40 percent of the University's energy pricing fluctuates from hour to hour, Crowe said.
"Every day we get a forecast that says, 'Here's what we expect,'" he said. "[June 18 and 19], the prices were projected to go over 50 cents."
The increase equates to a rise of between 200 and 500 percent, which could have cost the University an additional $25,000 per day, according to the e-mail.
Carol Boatright, spokeswoman for Georgia Power, said pricing fluctuations are caused by changes in weather, fuel costs and anything else related to energy generation and transmission.
"What it boils down to is, as the temperatures have started to come up, that's causing the resulting usage to come up," Boatright said.
When prices are projected to be high, Crowe said steps are automatically taken to reduce energy consumption. Among other things, Physical Plant workers ensure air conditioning units are running properly and the University produces its own energy by burning coal, an option that is usually more expensive and has a negative impact on the environment.
After Georgia Power, energy provider for the University, notified University Physical Plant staff that prices were likely to increase dramatically, an e-mail was sent to members of the University asking them to conserve power on campus by unplugging unused electronics and turning off lights.
"We want to do as much as we can, but we don't want to make people miserable," said Ken Crowe, director of Physical Plant Energy Services.
"We don't want to create a sense that we're in a crisis mode, but we know there's enough people out there who are concerned about saving energy and saving money," he said. "People can think, 'OK, I sat in my office with the lights off today, but I did my part.'"
Crowe said students and Athens residents probably do not need to worry about any increase in their energy bills.
Unlike average residents, who pay for energy at a flat rate, usually about 12 cents for each unit of energy used, 40 percent of the University's energy pricing fluctuates from hour to hour, Crowe said.
"Every day we get a forecast that says, 'Here's what we expect,'" he said. "[June 18 and 19], the prices were projected to go over 50 cents."
The increase equates to a rise of between 200 and 500 percent, which could have cost the University an additional $25,000 per day, according to the e-mail.
Carol Boatright, spokeswoman for Georgia Power, said pricing fluctuations are caused by changes in weather, fuel costs and anything else related to energy generation and transmission.
"What it boils down to is, as the temperatures have started to come up, that's causing the resulting usage to come up," Boatright said.
When prices are projected to be high, Crowe said steps are automatically taken to reduce energy consumption. Among other things, Physical Plant workers ensure air conditioning units are running properly and the University produces its own energy by burning coal, an option that is usually more expensive and has a negative impact on the environment.
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