To: All Faculty, Staff, and Students:

Plymouth State University cares about the environment.

One of the most important environmental issues to which we can all contribute is energy conservation.

A lot of energy is needed to run a campus this size. Although the university realizes substantial savings by generating the majority of its electricity and heat with its own cogeneration plant, PSU still spent $3 million last year. As energy costs increase, the campus community must actively seek savings anywhere it can. There are many ways for those of us who live and work at PSU to help conserve energy. A few examples:

· Turn off lights in unused rooms.
· Turn off computers, stereos, tvs, etc. when not in use, and overnight.
· Set computers to automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use.
· Assist the regulation of heat or AC in your building by not opening windows.
· Use electric space heaters sparingly; contact Physical Plant if your office is too cold.
· Use a minimum of hot water.
· Use stairs instead of elevators
· Walk or take the shuttle when possible.
· Recycle whenever possible

We must all do our part to support the conservation effort on campus. In addition to your own efforts to help save energy, you can help others develop good habits by sending your suggestions for conservation to the University Environmental Committee (UEC). This committee was formed to develop ways to conserve and is currently discussing ways to help promote PSU's “Living Lightly" theme year. The UEC has many projects in the works, including our website which has information on events and accomplishments at PSU. Our website also provides many links to projects at other institutions.

You may send your suggestions to UEC co-chairs Gary McCool gmccool@plymouth.edu or Len Reitsma leonr@plymouth.edu.

Working together, we can make a difference.