Tucker Hall is one of 14 buildings nationwide competing for an EPA title in sustainability.
Among the residence halls’ competitors is local rival UNC-Chapel Hill, which is likewise vying to “work off the waste” through improvements in energy efficiency with help from EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. The EPA will recognize the building that sheds the most energy waste on a percentage basis in late October 2010.
David Dean, outreach and communications coordinator for sustainability and energy at the University’s Sustainability Office, is upbeat about this event and believes this recognition is well-deserved.
“The fact that N.C. State’s Tucker Hall is one of 14 buildings nationally selected to take part in the EPA Energy Star building competition demonstrates the University is gaining national recognition as a sustainability leader,” Dean said.
According Dean, the University has plans to achieve climate neutrality within the next 40 years with a three-pronged approach consisting of a five-year strategic plan, a five-year energy plan and a 40 year Climate Action Plan.
Kristin Marley, Tucker Hall residence director, said most students are unaware of the contest and the University’s sustainability initiatives. But the overall atmosphere, she said, has been good so far and the initiative has received a positive response.
According to Marley, every small step adds up and residents need to share the University’s vision in order to make this possible. Marley said students can help by switching off unused lights, adjusting the blinds during the day and taking shorter showers.
Regardless of the result, the University plans to reduce its electricity bill by 5 percent—about one million dollars.
According to Dean, in October, National Energy Awareness Month, the Energy Management and Sustainability Offices will be kicking off the “Change Your State” effort with residence hall energy competitions.
“Lee, Sullivan, the Honors Quad, Owen and Tucker are being considered for fall semester,” Dean said. “More residence halls will be added at the start of spring semester. We will also target staff in Administration Buildings I, II, III.”
According to Dean, laboratory fume hoods account for 25 to 40 percent of our total electricity bill. One product of the campaign, Dean said, is staff members have started applying stickers to the variable hoods on campus and will be conducting awareness workshops with lab users in coming weeks.
The University will be working with the Sustainability Committee of Student Government to develop a half day workshop on Sept. 12. According to Dean, student groups with a “green focus” will be invited to share goals, resources and a better understanding of what the University can do to increase sustainability.