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Energy advisers make
changes
By Ginny You
Staff Writer
With winter approaching, the most appealing aspect
of a classroom may be its heating. However, under instructions to all
state agencies from Gov. Frank O’Bannon, Purdue may be lowering
the temperatures in its facilities.
Office and building temperatures may be set at
70 degrees in the winter and raised to 76 degrees in the summer through
the formation of an Energy Policy Advisory Group, which consists of
staff, faculty and students who will focus on ways the school can save
on energy costs.
"In the '70s and '80s we used to do this with
a more restricted temperature with 79 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees
in the winter," said Joe Mikesell, senior director of engineering,
utilities and construction of physical facilities administration. "Now
we’ve relaxed more and occupants choose their own temperatures.
So we’re suggesting a fairly liberal change of temperature to be
adjusted for more energy consumption."
According to Mikesell, when compared to other universities,
such as Iowa State’s guidelines of 78 degrees in the summer and
68 degrees in the winter, Purdue would not have a strict control over
energy usage. Mikesell said he would not be proposing guidelines as
harsh as Iowa State’s.
Purdue and Indiana have been spending too much
on energy bills, which have in turn, distracted the school from spending
more on education, according to Mikesell. But he believes this committee
can change the focus from energy to education.
"Up till recently, we’ve provided continual
heating upon request with increased energy bills that might be considered
greater than the national trend," said Mikesell. "Indiana,
probably with revenue, sends more money out and takes in less. We’re
not able to support higher education, as we like, so we have to make
the dollars stretch more. But I believe we can change that."
To start a change in how much energy is spent,
Mikesell hopes to initiate the advisory group this month and has sent
out messages to faculty concerning the program. Joe Kmec, associate
professor of mechanical engineering technology, responded with interest
since his teaching background covers energy, and how to convert, use
and save it. Kmec said his interest spurs from childhood when he was
given a friendly reminder from his parents.
"I get a little annoyed when professors walk
away from meetings with the lights still on," said Kmec. "I
grew up in a household and got a little reminder on the top of my head
when I forgot to turn off the lights. It was an era where turning off
the lights was the thing to do; now people leave them on."
In this group, students as well as faculty and
staff will be able to have a voice in how the school uses its energy,
said Dan Schuster, project manager of construction inspectors. Schuster
said conserving energy is in everyone’s best interest.
"I think it is a great idea having an Energy
Policy Advisory Group reporting through the University Resources Policy
Committee," said Schuster. "Once the final make up of the
(group) has been established, students, faculty and staff will have
a contact to voice their ideas for energy conservation on campus."
Any students or faculty interested in joining the
advisory group or anyone who wants further information, should contact
Schuster at dcschuster@purdue.edu. The e-mail should include the person's
major area of study, year in school and interest in energy.
"Someday I hope we won’t look back on
this in vain where we only hoped, and ended up with nothing," said
Kmec.
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Walk/run
event begins Red Ribbon Week
Energy
advisers make changes
CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
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743-1111 ext. 253
Campus editor:
Laura Pelner
Assistant campus
editors: Kurt Esposito,
Dave Stephens
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