Flick of a Switch Excercise Says MSU Could Save $160,000 in Fuel

Michigan State University (MSU) students and faculty turned off their lights and electrical appliances this weekend to raise awareness about global climate change. They proved that this small action could save $160,000 a year in fuel costs and reduce campus electricity demand by 2 percent.

According to excerpts from the article:

Students and faculty members were encouraged to turn off lights and electrical appliances from noon to 1 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The efforts resulted in a 2 percent reduction in campus demand for electricity Friday, which would equate to a $160,000 savings in fuel costs per year if continued each weekend, said Lynda Boomer, energy and environmental engineer at the MSU Physical Plant.

“We made the goal to reduce fuel usage as part of the Chicago Climate Exchange,” Boomer said.

“This kind of proves that we’re capable.”

Boomer said Saturday’s demand for electricity is expected to be higher than Friday’s hour, but official numbers haven’t been established.

“This was the first time that we’ve asked users to participate in an event like this, but it was a campus wide effort,” Boomer said.

About 200 cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco and Phoenix, were expected to turn off several nonessential lights between 8 and 9 p.m. Saturday, said Lee Poston, director of communications for World Wildlife Fund.

“It sends a message that we use a lot of energy we don’t need to around the world,” Poston said.

Read the entire article here.