Gustavus Adolphus College

During the month of February, Gustavus Adolphus College and many schools in the country competed in the National Campus Energy Challenge to see which school could conserve the most energy compared to last year’s energy consumption during the same timeframe.

Gustavus placed sixth in the competition by reducing its heating energy use by 10 percent and its electricity use by nine percent for a total combined reduction of nine percent. Jim Dontje, the director of Gustavus’s Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation, who helped coordinate the college’s energy conservation efforts during the competition, says that the results are a good sign.

“We are showing a sustained conservation effort that is making a difference in our carbon footprint and our utility costs,” Dontje said. “A look at our March 2008 numbers has us maintaining an eight percent decrease in electricity use compared to the past three years.”

Dontje said there are a couple of things students and staff should keep in mind over the next few months to make sure Gustavus continues to conserve energy:

• Turn lights and equipment off when not needed.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs rather than incandescent light bulbs when possible.
• When shifting from heating to air conditioning due to warmer weather, set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees for a good balance between comfort and conservation.
• When purchasing appliances, look for an Energy Star model.

Winona State University took first place in the National Campus Energy Challenge by reducing its heating energy use by 29 percent and its electricity use by 26 percent for a total combined reduction of 27 percent.

For more information regarding energy conservation efforts at Gustavus or the National Campus Energy Challenge, contact Dontje at 507-933-7206 or jdontje@gustavus.edu.