Energy Council asks SU: How are you ‘Saving Juice?’

Energy Council asks SU: How are you ‘Saving Juice?’November 04, 2005Jaime Winne Alvarez jlwinne@syr.edu

As energy costs skyrocket, a new University-wide group at Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is bringing together students, faculty and staff to help educate the community about energy issues. The Energy Council is chaired by Steve Lloyd, associate director of SU’s Office of Energy and Computing Management.

This fall marks the kickoff of the Energy Council’s campus-wide drive to increase energy awareness, starting with a Nov. 9 Staff to Staff meeting in Room 369 of Link Hall from noon-1:30 p.m. The event will present an overview of the campus-wide energy management system, introduce attendees to the work of the Energy Council and share energy saving ideas.

“Our goal is to reach everyone in the campus community and show them how they can make a difference-at work and in class, or at home and play,” says Lloyd. “It’s not just about cost savings, though these can be huge for both the University and the individual. We are also gathering and sharing knowledge of how, even by the simplest individual choices, people can promote sustainable practices that will preserve choices for future generations.”

The group’s Web site,http://energycouncil.syr.edu, reflects this diverse approach. In addition to outlining the council’s mission and membership, and providing background reading on topics such as sustainability and green power, the site gives a variety of tips on how to save energy and money and reduce impact on the environment, both on campus and off. From choosing the right light bulb to choosing the right icemaker, the council’s gives a broad range of advice designed to be accessible and useful to all members of the University community. There is also information from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency andthe New York State Energy Research and Development Agency, which helps consumers find funding opportunities for energy-smart purchases and renovations. According to Lloyd, the site’s next generation is already in development, with simpler navigation and even more energy-saving resources.

While the Energy Council’s campaign is happening at a time of rising energy costs and awareness, it is in keeping with a longstanding tradition of judicious energy use at SU. “In ways large and small, SU has been energy-conscious for decades. From simple things like LED lights to campus-wide energy programs and our recent decision to purchase green power, smart use of resources has been part of the campus culture for years without some people noticing. Now, as the Energy Council grows, it can help everyone learn to combat rising costs and damaging overuse of natural resources,” says Lloyd. “More and more, people are coming to understand that energy is something that everyone needs to think carefully about. Part of our job is to educate people that it’s easy to be careful about energy, and it can make a big difference as part of their daily routine.”

For more information on “saving juice in the ‘cuse” or to become a participant in Energy Council activities, visithttp://energycouncil.syr.edu or call Lloyd at (315) 443-4993.