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Contact: Vice President for Administrative Services, Dean Froehlich - 208/792-2240; Director, Physical Plant, Scott Brown - 208/792-2247; Director, Information Technology, Carmen Rahm - 208/792-2247

LCSC Focuses on Energy Conservation Cost Savings

Money's tight and Lewis-Clark State is looking closely at the substantial savings to be found in energy conservation. A recent State of Idaho 2% across-the-board budget cut, the likelihood of another rate increase from Avista Utilities, and plunging state revenues have LCSC's administration searching high and low for effective cost-cutting methods.

Since February of this year, efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems have been installed campus wide. As a result, the college has been recognized by Avista Utilities as a major customer that has done an outstanding job of cutting energy consumption. However there is more to be done.

LC's Information Technology department came up with some surprising figures when they looked for cost-savings related to computing equipment. Using a utility company model for energy consumption and LSCS's electric rates, they calculated potential savings available through smart use of personal computing equipment across campus. A look at those numbers showed that a substantial amount could be saved if everyone makes an effort to turn off equipment not in use.

Information Technology Director, Carmen Rahm offered the following examples: "A personal computer and color monitor each cost $48.12 to run, if they're left on 24 hours a day, all year long. Multiply that times the number of computers and monitors on campus and the annual cost adds up to $94,696." That's a figure many on campus will find startling--especially when viewed next to the simplicity of minimizing it. "If they're on only 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, that annual cost drops to $34,000; a savings of over $60,876," Rahm continued. Simply turning things off, rather than leaving them on (even in standby mode) can amount to significant savings.

Lighting provides another convincing example. It costs $8.42 to leave a 100-watt incandescent bulb on all year long, four times the cost of a fluorescent lamp putting out a similar amount of light. Last year, LCSC Physical Plant personnel changed out most interior lighting on campus with this in mind. Director Scott Brown commented, "Considering the number of lights campus-wide, switching to fluorescent lamps has helped make a difference." He added, "Switching off lights not in use would help even more. We've done what we can do short of being there to flip the switches." He and other college officials are working now to encourage employees to turn off anything not in use at the time.

LCSC officials are trying to get the most out of this money-saving method because of its minimal impact on the people and programs of the college. The many thousands of dollars saved by turning off idle computers and monitors can go a long way toward paying the annual salary and benefits of a faculty member, for example. In the words of President Dene Thomas, "It's exciting to realize how much difference each of us can make just by adopting one new personal habit."

Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne's executive order, "Energy Conservation Considerations in State Buildings," issued in February 2001, mandates that these and other approaches to energy conservation be employed to reduce costs for the four years after its entry into force. The order affects all state institutions. To find out more about the governor's order, visit: http://www2.state.id.us/gov/mediacenter/execorders/eo01_2001_04.htm

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