Energizing Conservation

GAMBIER, Ohio (February 8, 2010) Kenyon has become a partner with the U.S. Energy Star program to improve energy efficiency and protect the environment.

As part of the program, Kenyon will measure and track energy performance in its buildings, develop a plan to achieve energy savings, and work toward a goal of 10-percent energy reduction in a year. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy and promotes energy-efficient management practices and products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kenyon this year joined about 15,000 public and private organizations in partnership with Energy Star.

"This focuses and documents our commitment to sustainability," said Ed Neal, Kenyon superintendent of buildings and grounds and sustainability director. "We're making a public commitment to reduce our energy use and our carbon footprint, and our efforts will be recognized and certified."

Energy Star provides energy-use benchmarking tools that allow the College to set energy consumption goals for its buildings.

"Energy Star partners such as Kenyon College are leading the fight against global warming by improving the efficiency of their buildings and facilities," said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the EPA Energy Star commercial and industrial branch. "We applaud these efforts to help protect our global environment for generations to come."

Energy Star delivered about $19 billion in energy and cost savings in 2008. Kenyon will save money through more efficient use of energy resources, but the "main thrust" behind this commitment is to protect the environment, Neal said.