New LED Bulbs a Breakthrough

Over the past few years we have cut our household electricity consumption by nearly 70%. By the end of 2008 I was feeling as if we had hit a wall. For the previous year our monthly usage had fluctuated within a narrow range around 150 kwh per month.

Then in early January 2009 I heard about a new LED light bulb that is equivalent to a 40 watt bulb, uses 1.5 watts an hour, and cost ten dollars. While it sounds expensive, it is far cheaper than other LED bulbs. I went out and bought a few, using them selectively on the porch, in hallways, on the landing of the staircase, and in a computer/desk lamp. In some places such as the kitchen, baths and reading lamps we continue to use compact fluorescent bulbs or regular light bulbs.

The results have been impressive, cutting another 40 kwh per month from our home electric bill. The reason is that replacing a 15w compact fluorescent bulb with an LED means we are reducing our use by 90%. The bulbs are mercury-free and are available at Ace Hardware stores throughout the region.

Conservation is Cool!

One of the biggest misconceptions about conserving energy is that we would all end up sitting in the dark and cold. Not true. In the European Union per capita energy consumption is far less than North America, but the standard of living is about the same. While the excellent public transportation in Europe would account for some of this difference in energy use, it is not the whole story.
Conservation is a concrete action we can all take to shape our shared energy future in a positive way. Conservation means one less power plant to build and pay for, and fewer transmission lines through someone’s back yard who does not want them there. Conservation buys time to figure out energy alternatives, saves money, and partially insulates us from the vagaries of national and international energy markets.
So far from being a dirty word, conservation is our friend. In a time of energy uncertainty and financial crisis, here is something we can do, even as we embark another busy academic year here at SUNY Canton.

Campus Making Progress on Conserving Natural Gas and Electricity

Seeing campus energy use decline by 42% over the next few years may seem like a tall order, but measurable progress is being made. Recent data shows that SUNY Canton continues to reduce its use of electricity, natural gas and water according to figures tabulated by Pat Hanss, Assistant Facilities Program Coordinator. Electricity use dropped 9.35% over the past year. Campus electricity use actually grew between 01-02 and 04-05, but has dropped 16.6% over the past four years. In 2008-2009 SUNY Canton used 7193.5 megawatts of electricity.

Natural gas consumption for heating has seen a similar trend, declining about 8.4% over the past year. Total usage in 2008-2009 was 75,559 MCF of natural gas. After fluctuating in the early part of the decade, gas use is down 19.7% since the 04-05!

Water consumption has also dropped measurably in recent years—44% since 02-03. Figures over the past year have also been impressive. The campus used 1,722,000 fewer gallons of water in 2008-2009, or 9.4% less water than it did the preceding year.

SUNY Canton Hosts State Energy Hearing

SUNY Canton hosted the first of several hearings on the proposed New York State Energy Plan on Tuesday August 18. Numerous regional officials and leaders spoke during a comment period that lasted over two hours. For more information see the Watertown Daily Times article by Elizabeth Graham at:

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090819/NEWS05/308199956

Suny Canton: Toward a More Sustainable Future

As another academic year starts, it is with a mixture of enthusiasm and gratitude that I approach my new duties as Sustainability Coordinator/Right to Know Officer. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the campus community in this new capacity. There is much to be done in making the campus more sustainable, but also a lot of interest and ideas. I am encouraged by the changes in the past year while I was on sabbatical such as the implementation of the Sustainability Task Force, two student recycling efforts, and the creation of the Sustainability Coordinator position. One of my projects since returning on July 1 has been working on creation of the campus Green Pages.
Through a number of Executive Orders from the Governor’s Office and SUNY Central policy statements, it is apparent that the goal is for the SUNY to become the Sustainable University of New York. In the weeks and months ahead we will see more changes in energy, recycling, purchasing, and other areas. SUNY Canton is being asked to reduce its energy use by about 40%
Despite, the current lull in regard to energy, there is a certain urgency to all this; the prospect of higher priced and/or scarce energy supplies. Last fall I was working with a consultant who told me, “In the past the assumption was that when energy prices went up they would come down again. Now, the assumption is that when energy prices go down, they will go up again.” Beyond our current financial challenges, those institutions and businesses that have taken sustainability seriously will be in the best position to continue carrying out their missions. It is important that SUNY Canton is one of those institutions.

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard

One of the Green Campus Committee member pointed out this wonderful video.


This is just the first installment, the entire production can be viewed through YouTube or at The Story of Stuff.

Fueling a Greener SUNY Canton

CANTON - SUNY Canton is getting a bit greener with help from Alfred R. Place a graduate of the class of 1949.

Place funds a scholarship that helps students research biodiesel solutions within the Alternative and Renewable Energy Applications (AREA) program. This year Place’s scholarship was given to Shaun Jones who provided 500 gallons of biodiesel for the college’s Maintenance and Ground crews to use in their lawn mowers. Jones created the biodiesel solution with waste cooking oil garnered from Chaney Dining Center.

“By running biodiesel, the college helped combat the rising price gasoline while decreasing our impact on the environment,” Jones said.

Alternative and Renewable Energy Application Assistant Professor Matthew Bullwinkel said that the real world application of biodiesel also helped test the fuel’s reliability. “Workers were asked to observe any changes in the mechanical operations of the equipment while they were using the B20 solution,” Bullwinkel said.

The only notable effect of using the alternative fuel source was the new scent of the exhaust. Evidently area pigeons and seagulls found the scent of French fries irresistible.

Ongoing biodiesel research is just one of many ways that the AREA program is seeking to create a greener campus. Students will soon be installing photovoltaic cells on top of Nevaldine Technology center to power the lighting in their classroom and placing a solar hot water heater for research. “When someone flips on the lights in Nevaldine (Room) 110 they will be using energy collected from solar panels on the roof,” said AREA Program Director Michael J. Newtown.

Newtown explained that the new installations will provide hands-on applications of the same renewable energy systems that the students are studying.

Outside of the AREA program, Physical Plant staff members have been implementing greener cleaning agents to combat unnecessary pollution and waste. Almost all of the college’s cleaning products now meet the highest New York State green standards.

“Every year I look for new products that we can use that are safer and more earth-friendly,” said Head Janitor Walter Holmes.

Holmes said many of the cleaning machines and devices that they employ are also becoming more environmentally friendly by utilizing components manufactured from recycled parts that introduce advanced filtration and water saving technologies.