November 1, 2001
Campus making dent in energy budget deficit
As temperatures fall and there are more hours of dark, the campus community is likely to be increasingly aware of our energy conservation program. People will feel chilly and perhaps mole-like. Less likely to be part of current consciousness is the energy budget deficit.
When last reported (in the July 19 issue of University Week), the deficit in the utility budget for the 2001-03 biennium was projected to be $30.5 million. And Olympia had declined to fund this shortfall. It was left to the University to recoup what it could through conservation measures.
The steps we’ve taken have made a dent in the deficit. In addition, natural gas prices have fallen and electricity rates have stabilized somewhat. The projected utility budget deficit for 2001-03 dropped to $17.2 million as of October 2001.
How did the University plan to cover the deficit? The Conservation Project Development Team continued to work in partnership with Seattle City Light to devise additional measures that could be done with a reasonable pay-back period under much increased energy costs. Lighting de-activation proceeded apace, heating temperatures were reduced to a minimum standard of 65 degrees, and individuals were reminded of opportunities for changing daily behavior to reduce usage.
The University also sought to identify who and what carried proportional shares of increased energy costs. Making up the projected deficit would be shared by auxiliary and self-sustaining programs, which cover their share of increased energy costs by raising their own rates and paying higher overhead amounts. Energy usage in the research enterprise on campus is reflected in the indirect cost recovery rate. After these shares were identified, there remained a $5.1 million portion of the deficit associated with the instructional program at the UW. The energy fee surcharge imposed on students is figured to cover
$4.5 million of that portion of the projected deficit.
Will the University successfully cover the remaining deficit by the end of the biennium?
Much depends on the severity of winter weather and the willingness of people to adjust their behavior, every day, to be energy wise. Building temperatures will remain at 65 degrees and lighting will remain low. Dress for the campaign and do your part.
Jeri McCray is the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services.
