New
renovations in Wimberly continue the campus’s goal to become more
environmentally friendly. Dan Sweetman, the Environmental Health,
Safety, and Sustainability Program Manager, says during the renovation
the university installed “better designed and more energy efficient
lighting fixtures," which call for 25 watt 4 foot fluorescent lamps
instead of the standard 32 watt.
Over
the summer, UWL also began to install new LED lights on Badger Street
with hopes of completing this project next summer. In previous years,
Sweetman includes, the university has installed “efficient lighting in
Mitchell Fieldhouse and gymnasium, replace[d] an existing boiler in
UWL’s Heating Plant with two high efficiency gas boilers, and [is in the
process of placing]higher efficiency hot water heating systems in older
residence halls.”
By
building Centennial and Eagle Hall according to Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design Standards, the university hopes to reduce its
carbon footprint as well as bring down heating and energy costs. The
buildings should consume 30% less energy than traditionally built
buildings in order to be LEED certified. Signs have been installed
inside and outside of Eagle Hall highlighting their most eco-friendly
features, such as more water and energy efficiency. The information on
these signs can also be applied to Centennial.
While
these new renovations make it easier for students to become more
eco-friendly while on campus, Sweetman says, “When any of us take a
sustainable action, we should not do so because it is easy, we have to
recognize in our minds that it is the right thing to do.” The
installations, such as new bike racks and water bottle filling stations,
are only successful if students make an effort to use them.
