Gustavus Adolphus College

Colleges across the nation, including Gustavus Adolphus College are preparing for the National Campus Energy Challenge (NCEC), which will take place throughout the month of February.

The NCEC is a student created, organized, and implemented endeavor to see which school can save the most energy — both heating and electricity — in one month. The winners will be determined based on the highest percent reduction from a baseline of the previous three Februarys. A kick-off event is scheduled at Gustavus for 12:30 p.m. in the Evelyn Young Dining Room on Thursday, Jan. 31.

At the kick-off event, students and staff will be able to pick up energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs for their dorm rooms and offices. Attendees can also see how much energy they can generate by pedaling on stationary bikes.

Throughout the month of February, members of the Gustavus community will monitor their electrical energy use through a new state-of-the-art website at gustavus.edu/energy. This website is updated hourly and accurately monitors electricity use in most buildings on campus. Students, staff, and faculty can view a building’s electricity use in a 24-hour period and view the estimated cost of that electricity use.

Tips and reminders on how to conserve energy will be posted around campus and events will occur throughout the month of February to encourage a reduction in energy use across campus. For more information about the NCEC, contact the Director of the Glen and Lavonne Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Jim Dontje at 507-933-7206 or jdontje@gustavus.edu.