GCC Very Close to Goal of 10-Percent Reduction

February 21, 2008

GCC 2008 started off with balloons sporting energy efficiency messages

Over the past three weeks, Exeter and the 31 other schools working collaboratively in the Green Cup Challenge (GCC) have achieved an average energy reduction of 9.3 percent. That leaves a mere 0.7 percent to save during the final week. Assuming the 32 schools continue their current performance, the Challenge will exceed its stated goal of a 10-percent average reduction by a long shot.

In concrete terms, the first three weeks of the Challenge have prevented an estimated 860,205 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. That's equal to not burning an estimated 45,274 gallons of gasoline in vehicles, or 2,037,330 miles of highway driving in a Toyota Prius (according to highway mileage efficiency listed in the U.S. EPA's Green Vehicle Guide).

Exeter experienced a slow start in GCC's week one, but quickly responded with two- and three-percent reductions in weeks two and three. With Exeter's E-Proctors adding encouragement, students on campus have found ways to reduce their use of energy in their daily dorm activities. One dorm held a "Take the Shortest Shower" contest. Another had "GCC Lent," with students giving up small appliances, such as hair curlers and lamps, for the month. "I think leading by example is the best way to do it. I try to set a good role model by turning off my and other people's lights, putting computers to sleep and not using the dryer," says E-Proctor JY '08.

In Exeter's North side versus South side challenge, the South siders continue to lead. South side decreased energy consumption by an average of 4 percent (3,437 kWh), while North side shaved off an average of 0.6 percent (628 kWh).

Each week, the 32 GCC schools report their energy usage data to Jennifer Wilhelm, sustainability coordinator at Exeter. Wilhelm, working with Exeter students and peers at the other schools, computes overall energy reductions using baseline data gathered from previous years.

For schools like Exeter that have instituted permanent energy saving measures over recent years – including converting to compact fluorescent bulbs, upgrading furnaces, and utilizing solar and other alternative heat and power sources – saving more energy during the monthlong Challenge can be difficult as the starting point is much lower.

"We made the Challenge cooperative this year to demonstrate the need to work together on this global issue," explains Wilhelm. "Encouraging schools that have not had the chance to institute major energy saving measures – by showing them exactly how much they stand to gain – is part of the learning process. For schools that have already invested in permanent energy saving measures, the absolute reductions will be lower. But their impact as role models for other schools is huge."

The biggest weekly reduction has been at the Berkshire School, located in Sheffield, MA, which saw a more-than-21 percent energy savings in week two. Berkshire School, along with 16 others, joined the GCC this year.

Interested in learning more?

Learn about the GCC and the Green Schools Alliance…