Green Up

Greetings,

This is my third update for spring /summer 2008 concerning utility consumption and cost. The prvious two are also posted here.

First the good news. I want to thank everyone on campus who has helped to reduce our energy consumption.

We have the utility data for the past academic year and we are using less energy:

1. Electricity consumption is down from last year by 273,956 KWH and down from our forecast by 389,373 KWH, or 2.25% and 3.2% respectively. A KWH costs us about $.16 each so we beat our forecast by $62,300. Physical Plant has done a number of projects that can account for some of this reduction, but I believe that many on campus have taken measures in their daily life that have reduced the amount of electricity we consume. I encourage everyone to join this effort so we can further reduce consumption in FY09 by an additional 3 to 5%.
   
2. Heating consumption also has some good news. This past year (FY 08) we used 7.3 million fewer pounds of steam than the year before. The decrease, based on last year’s cost of oil, saved approximately $91,000. Physical Plant projects such as the steam tunnel replacement account for the majority of these savings.

Now the bad news. As you are all aware the price of oil is skyrocketing and the markets we purchase our oil from are fluctuating at incredible rates. Oil prepurchase, which the institution has done for a long time, has become more and more difficult, and a much greater gamble. In early June, we prepurchased our heating fuel through October at $2.60 per gallon. At the time, I thought this was outrageous but I took the risk in order to hedge the market a little. I wish I had purchased the entire year; today that same gallon would cost us $3.21. Using this current market rate our forecast for this year puts our utility costs over budget by $900,000. It is obvious from this that steps need to be taken to minimize the impact on the current year and for future years.

The following are some strategies we have put in place or are looking at to reduce this shortfall:

• We received a grant from the US Forest Service to conduct a feasibility study to convert our heating plant from oil to biomass (woodchips). The study results are expected this week and it will take time to analyze and create a plan to make this move if the economics work. The payback of such a change should be short at current market prices for wood chips.
• As I indicated in my last report, we have increased our set points for air-conditioned facilities to 76 degrees. We have had a few calls expressing concern and Ellen has asked that anyone with concerns contact her office so that we can have our maintenance staff look at the equipment to make sure everything is operating appropriately.
• This coming winter I have asked that our heating temperature be set at 68 degrees which is a reduction of 2 degrees from prior years. There will be more information about this change as we get closer to heating season.
• We have a number of summer projects underway that are focused on energy savings or conservation:

1. We are replacing the roof on Rounds Hall. New roofs are always more efficient and also are generally the area where there is the greatest energy loss. We are currently planning on replacing the roof on Memorial Hall in the summer of 2009.
2. Physical Plant is installing motion sensors in a number buildings and rooms across campus where electric lights are regularly on when the space is unoccupied. This will be an ongoing project.
3. We continue to retrofit our exterior lights to the more energy efficient systems.
4. Memorial – replace T 12 lamps and ballast with T 8 and electronic ballasts
5. PE Center - replace 3,000 gal. DHW Tank with semi – instantaneous
6. Campus  -  retrofit 54 exit lights to LED resulting in complete project for the campus
7. At Silver Center and the Centre Lodge, we are installing electrical meters connected to our energy management system.
8. We are upgrading track lighting in the D&M paint studio to be more energy efficient.
9. We are upgrading HUB lighting with energy efficient lamps, including motion sensors and day lighting sensors throughout.
10. We recently completed an energy audit for Prospect/HUB and are developing a plan to address energy saving projects.
11. We are analyzing the use of the Sloan Eco Flushometer valves toilets and plan a replacement schedule.
12. Implement new and improved recycling containers in all Residents Halls
13. We have installed waterless urinals in Lamson Library and the Centre Lodge.
14. We have purchased an additional Prius/Toyota for fleet rental.
15. Research alternative fuel vehicle for Physical Plant shop staff.

We will have additional communications about these issues over the summer and into the fall term and will have similar communications ready for students when they return in the fall. This is truly a group effort and we need all of you pitch in. I invite your notes, comments and suggestions.

Regards,
Bill Crangle
Vice President for Financial Affairs
Plymouth State University

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• 2/22/08 PCES Meeting Minutes
• Second Annual ‘Do it in the Dark’ Competition Under Way
• PSU Students Start New Recycling Competition
• Bill Crangle to Lead PSU’s Environmental Sustainability Initiative
• PCES Annual Report

Related items

• PCES Annual Report
• Second Annual ‘Do it in the Dark’ Competition Under Way
• ‘PSU Need2Know’ Campus Energy Update
• ‘Help Us Save!’ Energy Conservation Plea for PSU

Filed by cwilliams at 11:56 pm under Campus Communications