PLYMOUTH, N.H.-
Plymouth State University’s Third Annual “Do It In the Dark” energy savings competition held in October and November was an enormous success, saving several thousand dollars in electricity costs and teaching students the importance of conservation.
The “Do It In the Dark” competition includes all seven residence halls, in which students are asked to turn off and unplug computers, appliances and other such items when they were not being used, and to turn off the lights when they left their rooms or the various common areas. The students conserved 54,197 kilowatt hours of electricity, a 7.06% increase from last year’s results. In just two months, PSU saved $9,213. PSU Sustainability Fellow Kelly Donovan said the students embraced the competition.
“Overall, the increase in environmental initiatives here at Plymouth State has led to a positive change in student’s awareness/lifestyle in the residence halls,” said Donovan. “The students recognize that their behaviors affect our climate. At both the community level and globally, ‘Going Green’ has become not just a trend, but a movement.”
The 2009 competition was the first year “Do It In the Dark” was organized and run by students, and all traditional residence halls and Langdon Woods participated. With the help of the Sustainability Fellows, the students in residence halls were able to learn how to save energy while living on a college campus.On average, each on-campus student spends about $700 each semester on energy costs.
For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU Media Relations Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu
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