Students conserve energy one bulb at a time
The College´s Renewable Energy Club developed "The Light Bulb Exchange," a program that exchanges incandescent bulbs for Energy Star compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy. The club recently sold $7 CFL light bulbs to students for the reduced price of $1. Students were asked to bring incandescent bulbs to exchange. In three days, the club sold 30 CFL bulbs. Each bulb is expected to save about $30 over the course of its lifetime, resulting in a total savings of $900 for the College. "We hope to have another bulb exchange in the spring because this project was such a success," Erik Karwatowski ´12, the club´s co-president, said. The light bulb exchange was designed to extend a move-in day initiative to provide each incoming freshman a CFL light bulb to promote energy efficiency and conservation. The exchange also promotes the club´s "Concert from Conservation," a student directed campaign that aims to reduce electricity consumption in residence halls with a percentage of the savings funding a spring concert. Last year, it reduced electricity consumption in the residence halls by 15 percent. "It´s great to see the students be so interested in energy efficiency," Kim Channick ´10, the club´s campaign manager, said. The club is very active on campus, hosting a variety of events designed to increase awareness about the importance of energy conservation. This fall, the club co-sponsored the second annual Brumalia, a campus-wide festival that featured a blackout night to encourage students to turn off their lights to celebrate environmentalism. This spring, members plan to launch the "Campus Consciousness Tour," a rock tour and environmental campaign that aims to inspire and activate students in a fun and exciting atmosphere while leaving a positive impact. The Renewable Energy Club meets weekly on Tuesdays in Larrabee Common Room at 9:30 p.m. By Amy Falk ´11
February 5, 2010
