Five Ways for Collegs and Universities to Get Smart About Energy

By David McDougall. Increasing numbers of colleges and universities are making a commitment to foster sustainability on campus. This strategy aligns well with university missions that include public service, thought leadership and pioneering new technologies. But at the end of the day, the most compelling reason is financial. Energy makes up only a small percentage of a university’s operating budget (about 3.5 percent on average), but in terms of raw dollars, America’s colleges and universities spend almost $7 billion in energy and utilities. Cutting energy costs even by 10 percent means $700 million dollars to reinvest in student programs, facility improvements, and other initiatives that benefit the entire campus community. Read more...