Cal State Long Beach’s Green Campus Program will receive a “Best Practices in Student Energy Efficiency Award” at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference in June.
This will be CSULB’s third recognition in the eighth annual Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Best Practice Awards competition. The campus-wide lighting project won the “Lighting Design & Retrofit Award” last year for its technological and comprehensive approach to lighting efficiency.
CSULB’s Green Campus interns were recognized for their campaign, which focused on reducing energy in classrooms, offices and residence halls. Their efforts are estimated to save the campus over $71,000.
The award recognizes leadership in student-led projects that promote energy efficiency and conservation.
“We could not have received this award without the support from our valued stakeholders that helped us complete these projects on so many levels,” said Felix Navarrete, Green Campus team manager.
The campaign included the installation of meters that measure temperature and humidity, and occupancy sensors that turn off classroom lights that are not in use. The faculty and staff also distributed iPlos power strips, which reduce the amount of daily energy usage.
In October, Green Campus hosted the energy competition “Energy Savers Do It In The Dark” in the residence halls. CSULB defeated Cal State Fullerton, and the entire competition saved more than 50,000 kilowatt-hours in electricity and more than 272,000 gallons of water.
“We are pleased that these projects actualize energy savings for the campus, but we also want to recognize the change in behaviors that the projects ultimately begin with,” Green Campus Public Relations Coordinator Kaylee Weatherly said.
University of California, Davis will be hosting the annual conference during the third week of June. California universities and colleges will gather together to share the best sustainability practices.
“We are proud that we received this award not only for the recognition of the Green Campus Program but also for the campus of Cal State Long Beach,” Navarrete said.
Green Campus was adopted by CSULB in 2010 with the goal of making the campus more energy efficient. The nonprofit organization Alliance to Save Energy currently has Green Campus programs in 22 universities.
“We hope to continue to leave a legacy of sustainable behavioral change and actual energy savings for the university through our projects as Green Campus interns,” Weatherly said.
For more information, visit csulbgreencampus.com.