Responding to increasing costs, both environmentally and financially, UW-Madison officials and student groups are working to change mindsets as well as buildings to reduce energy usage on campus.
Opening a window when the heat is on and not turning off lights or computers when leaving may seem minor, but compounded with the slip-ups of 40,000 people, a major issue develops.
Out of all UW System schools, UW-Madison had the greatest increase, of more than $5.5 million in estimated energy cost, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, rising from $23,661,437 for 1999-'00 to $29,189,782 for 2000-'01.
UW-Madison officials rely upon coal, oil and natural gas for electricity and heat in buildings.
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""It's a very, very expensive proposition [to switch to renewable energy] ... but we have aggressive initiatives to utilize new technology and make our use more efficient,"" said Faramarz Vakilizadeh, associate director of UW-Madison's Physical Plant. ""This is an old campus. As a result, there is a lot of opportunity to improve old buildings with new technology for better efficiency.""
The university, in accordance with the Wisconsin Energy Initiative, an executive order made by former Gov. Tommy Thompson covering all state-owned buildings, is continuing strategies to combat energy waste in buildings. Measures include more efficient light bulbs, occupancy sensors in rooms, steam-trap maintenance and digital controls of heating and cooling.
""Over the past year and a half, the university has worked with Johnson Controls ... and spent almost $12 million improving energy efficiency,"" Vakilizadeh said.
""It's a delicate balancing act of putting resources where you are getting the most bang for your buck,"" he said.
Making buildings more efficient isn't the fight of UW-Madison employees alone. The Wisconsin Policy Interest Research Group is also working to reduce energy usage by 7 percent on campus by 2008. The campaign, titled ""Big Red, Go Green,"" focuses on incentives for change, technology updates and altering behavior through awareness.
""Better energy use would have an impact on the environment, health and costs,"" said Jenny Jankowski, a UW-Madison senior and WisPIRG member.
Energy conservation outside of implementing technology often starts with the individual. ""Computers are always on, and windows are open with the heat on,"" Amy Holt, a UW-Madison sophomore living in Cole Residence Hall said regarding what she sees in her building. ""A lot of it is personal common courtesy. People need to think.""
Beyond the environment, students have a financial incentive to conserve.
""The biggest motivator [to change behavior] is rates,"" said Mike Kinderman, UW-Madison associate director of housing in charge of facilities. ""The rates that are being paid for room and board pay for everything, including paying the university back for energy use.""
Other energy initiatives have been successful on campus in the past. In 1998, the Science Hall Alternative Practices for the Environment worked to make the 114-year-old building more efficient. The building is now one of the most energy efficient on campus.
Holt said she felt the issue of energy efficiency was relevant to all students.
""It affects us all in the long run,"" she said.
