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University cuts energy consumption

Since January, the energy crisis in California has led many consumers, including the University of La Verne, to take measures to conserve power. Lights, computers and televisions are now being turned off to save electric resources, yet buildings on campus like the Supertents have had harder times conserving electricity as these older structures lack energy efficiency. / photo illustration by Jason Cooper
Since January, the energy crisis in California has led many consumers, including the University of La Verne, to take measures to conserve power. Lights, computers and televisions are now being turned off to save electric resources, yet buildings on campus like the Supertents have had harder times conserving electricity as these older structures lack energy efficiency. / photo illustration by Jason Cooper

by Anna Roy
Staff Writer

In light of California’s energy crisis, the University of La Verne has taken various measures to cut energy consumption. So far, energy prices cost California businesses and residents $10.9 billion more last summer than the year before.

The goal of the University has been, “To do a couple things, it’s a cost cutting measure, but really that is secondary. We are trying to do our part to minimize the effect of rolling blackouts in the state of California, which I guarantee [that] there will be rolling blackouts in California,” said Robert Beebe, the assistant director of facilities management.

A memo was sent out this past January to members of the ULV community requesting certain measures be taken to conserve energy. Among them, all thermostats should be set at 68 degrees heating and 78 degrees cooling. In addition, all computers should be on during use only, and when possible, office work should be conducted by either daylight, half of lights or by task lighting only. Time clocks were also installed in all air-conditioning units.

Michael Houdyshell, director of campus activities and commuter programs, makes efforts to cut down on energy consumption in the Student Center. “I try to keep the TV off when no one is watching it, and I always try to keep the doors closed when the heat is on, or the air conditioner, especially, is on.”

One building that consumes a lot of energy is the Student Center, which receives a lot of student traffic and activity throughout the day. The Supertents are home to various departments and offices, the Spot, as well as the gym. It is open from the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and afterward it is cleaned. The lights in the offices and the gym are turned off, but the rest of the lights are left on. Currently, Brian Worley, director of facilities management is working on a plan to cut down on energy consumption at the University.

A lack of energy supply led to California’s energy crisis and rolling blackouts have effected many parts of the state. This was done to prevent a power grid meltdown. The state’s two major electric utility companies, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison are currently in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy. California is currently trying to buy power and work out a restructuring plan.

On Wednesday, April 25 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission passed an order, which plans to destabilize energy prices by May 29. It will allow California regulators to impose price controls on power generators when electricity supplies fall within 7.5 percent of consumer demands.

The Federal Energy Reserve Commission has accused various companies of overcharging for power. For this reason Governor Gray Davis and the state of California are currently involved in investigations and lawsuits against utility companies like PG&E, Edison and Duke Energy. Other members of society also have a bone to pick with utility companies, particularly Southern California Edison.

“In Southern California our energy comes from Southern California Edison; a company that purchases energy from Peabody Coal. With the help of the U.S. government and Peabody Coal, we have secured our energy by forcing 10,000 Navajo people off of their land as of Feb. 1, 2000,” said the Assistant Director of Forensics, Justin Jones-Rodriguez.

The energy crisis stems back to 1996, when bipartisan legislators passed a deregulation law. At the time, a large lobbing campaign was underway from mainly companies involved. Legislators who passed the law felt that it would increase options for the people of California by allowing them to choose their own utility providers. There were hopes that prices would also decrease as a result. It was also presumed that more power plants would be constructed.

“Deregulation is a huge flaw,” said Beebe, “the California lawmakers went into this with good intentions unfortunately they were dealing with things that they weren’t experts on.” Beebe went on to say how the deregulation of phone companies did increase the number of providers but had little to no effect on prices. Another problem was how few people actually switched utility providers, because of different reasons. Prices oftentimes were not low enough for people to want to switch, and also it was difficult for many companies to match the low prices of the ‘Big 3′ companies, PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric.

Many of those that did switch began to buy electricity from The Green Mountain Energy Corporation, which generates energy from renewable sources like wind, air, sun, water and natural gas. Recently, the company had to discontinue many of its services to California residents.

“We want to bring you renewable energy service again, just as soon as the legislature and regulators enact rules that create true competition and consumer choice,” was part of the company’s statement. The company recently built two solar plants and a new wind plant in California.

Countries such as Japan and Germany have aggressive solar power programs. Yet three-fourths of the solar panels made in the United States go overseas. These panels produce power during the day, when the most power is being consumed.

Many experts and scientists agree that the state needs to adopt an energy-saving program. Solar energy would curtail air pollution as well, according to the Green Mountain Energy Corp., making electricity is the number one cause of air pollution.

Professor of biology Harvey Good said, “The U.S. has lagged behind on that, countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran and some of those desert countries have done a lot more with solar energy,” said Good.

He mentioned that there are alternate forms of energy, like wind turbines that have been fairly successful, though there is noise pollution associated with those. “Solar energy,” he said, “is just the space that it takes up with photovoltaic panes, which directly converts energy to electricity.” There are problems with other types of solar-energy conversions. However, Good said “We could emphasize solar energy,” since the United States is so dependent on other types of energy.

Beebe also spoke on the rising energy prices in general.

“What people don’t realize is that your natural gas prices already up the roof, gasoline prices are ridiculous, electricity rates are high, and for that reason, it’s going to cost you more for a pizza or a movie ticket. Businesses cannot afford to absorb all of these tremendous high costs on all fronts,” Beebe said.

Vice President Dick Cheney has been working on the nation’s energy consumption. In a New York Times article by Joseph Kahn dated April 30, “Vice President Dick Cheney said today that oil, coal and natural gas would remain the United States’ primary energy resources for ‘years down the road’ and that the Bush administration’s energy strategy would aim mainly to increase supply of fossil fuels, rather than limit demand.”

Anna Roy, Assistant Features Editor
Anna Roy
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Jason Cooper, Staff Photographer
Jason Cooper
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