A recently authorized cost-saving proposal stands to save the UC millions ‘mdash; without cutting services or enrollment. Rather, the program will provide savings through increased energy efficiency, aiding both the university’s thinning wallet and the environment.
Increasing energy efficiency will result in an estimated $36 million in annual operational savings for the university and would untie funds for other necessities, such as building maintenance, that take a backseat to keeping the lights on. Because this program decreases university dependence on outside electricity sources by 11 percent, we’ll be writing energy companies smaller checks at the end of the month, allowing us to use our savings elsewhere.
Though $178 million of the total projected cost of’ $247.4 million will have to be financed through 15-year revenue bonds, the program’s $36 million annual savings will be used to pay for the debt itself.
The renovations at UCSD may include solar panel installations, a shift to L.E.D. lighting and improving air conditioning systems, providing students with cleaner and more efficient air flow in facilities. Although costly, by committing to these improvements the university will gain financial security while moving toward its sustainability goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions back to 2000 levels by 2014 and 1990 levels by 2020.