Black and Yellow… And Green?

By Bobby Bechtel

Cutbacks to high education in Pennsylvania are affecting Millersville a little less. Green efforts across the campus are saving the University money, and ultimately saving students’ tuition.

Since 2008, Millersville has partnered with Noresco, an energy conservation consulting firm based in Massachusetts. Through studying the habits of the University’s faculty, staff, and students – the firm developed ways in which the campus could reduce its carbon footprint, which ultimately saves the University money. The tactics developed by Noresco include:

– Trayless Dining Halls

– Two Sided Printing

– Water Efficient Showerheads

– Paperless Billing

These ways however are noticeable. The University is also taking strides in energy consumption as well. These presently include:

– Reducing nonrenewable energy consumption

– Retrofitting buildings to be energy efficient

– Using local and organic food in dining halls

Since the 2009-2010 school year when many of these changes took place, Millersville was able to reduce its carbon footprint by 7% (The Snapper, 10/6/11).