[getsmart-l] GUELPH: Students commit $4.3 million of their own money to campus conservation initiatives

[Media Release]

Emacs!

Emacs!



Media Release - For Immediate Release

University of Guelph undergraduate students receive Certificate of 
Recognition from Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer

Students commit $4.3 million of their own money to campus 
conservation initiatives; University to match funds

(Guelph, Ontario, April 11, 2007)  The Ontario Power Authority's 
Conservation Bureau today recognized undergraduate students at the 
University of Guelph for their initiative to improve energy 
efficiency on campus.

The students were presented with a Certificate of Recognition by 
Peter Love, Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer.  It 
recognizes the recent approval of a student referendum that has 
undergraduates committing more than $4.3 million over 12 years for 
energy conservation.

The money will be used for projects ranging from lighting and heating 
to water efficiency to retrofitting. The University is matching all 
the money raised, earmarking all of the funds for energy conservation 
and continue looking for partnerships from all levels of government.

"The U of G students are doing exactly what we need all Ontarians to 
do," Love said. "They are committing to using energy wisely and they 
are putting their resources into the challenge. It's good for the 
students, it's good for the university and it's good for Ontarians."

The certificate was accepted on behalf of U of G students by Adam 
Scott and Derek Pieper, who helped lead the referendum campaign. "I 
am very happy to see the amazing commitment made by Guelph students 
recognized by the province," Scott said. "Students have truly 
demonstrated leadership through their actions here, and 
acknowledgment of their contribution is well-deserved. I hope this 
referendum will be seen as a catalyst to provoke similar actions to 
reduce energy at other institutions."

The referendum, which was approved in late March, was proposed by the 
Student Executive Council (SEC), a broad coalition of all student 
governments, and Guelph Students for Environmental Change's Renewable 
Energy Group. It was approved by a 14-per-cent margin.

"The Energy Retrofit campaign was a collaborative effort made by a 
group of very dedicated students and supported by a student body that 
values the importance of energy conservation," Pieper added.

President Alastair Summerlee congratulated the students on the 
provincial recognition, as well as on their initiative and commitment 
to reducing energy consumption. "I am proud that our students have 
taken the lead on this initiative. They have really set the stage for 
both our University community and other universities to follow."

Summerlee added that energy conservation is a shared responsibility 
and that Guelph has made great strides in reducing energy 
consumption. The University has launched a number of initiatives in 
recent years to reduce energy consumption, including energy retrofit 
programs and engaged educational programming, which have had a 
positive impact on its overall energy consumption. The University has 
also identified a list of projects that it wishes to complete to 
further green the campus.

"With the help and support of our community, we can do even more," 
Summerlee said.  Faculty and staff also have the opportunity to 
contribute to ongoing energy conservation efforts, and that money 
will also be matched by the University. Information is available 
online or by calling 519-824-4120, Ext. 56695.

In addition, Summerlee announced Wednesday that the University is 
teaming up with Deborah Kaplan at Zerofootprint to launch an 
initiative to measure the "ecological footprint" of every member of 
the University community. It will involve a web-based calculator that 
people can use to estimate and analyze the impact daily activities 
such as car travel and electricity use are having on the environment.

Summerlee sees the calculator as both awareness and a motivating 
tool. "It will allow us to measure progress in reducing our 
environmental impact and to set goals, both as a University and as 
individuals."

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Lori Bona Hunt, Associate Director (News Service), Communications and 
Public Affairs, University of Guelph, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338

Tim Taylor, Manager, Media and Public Relations, Ontario Power 
Authority, (416) 969-6353, tim.taylor at powerauthority.on.ca


The Conservation Bureau is an office of the Ontario Power Authority. 
It was established in 2005 to develop, coordinate and stimulate 
electricity conservation and demand management by planning, designing 
and implementing comprehensive programs that foster a culture of 
conservation across the province.  See www.conservationbureau.on.ca 
for more information.
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