The NCAA’s top 10 conferences are being recognized for their efforts to be more energy efficient. Schools around the nation are moving to renewable energy sources for power.
Although JMU is not a member of the highlighted NCAA conferences, it is still actively involved in making the switch.
Juice, an independent electricity supplier, is highlighting universities nationwide for their sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives. This competition recognizes the conferences for more than just their intercollegiate athletics.
Juice was first developed in March 2007 with two solid goals: delivering electricity to clients at a lower cost and helping those clients reduce their carbon foot-printing by purchasing “green power.”
This is the first year the “green” company has recognized colleges and universities. While everyone was focused on brackets and teams during March Madness, Juice wanted to draw attention to the commendable initiatives taken on by those schools.
Although JMU was not recognized by Juice, that does not undermine the several successful initiatives adopted on campus by both students and facilities management teams. 15 percent of the school’s electrical consumption is already purchased from renewable energy services.
“The university is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability,” said Bill Wyatt, media relations manager at JMU. “There are a number of initiatives currently under way on campus that help us toward that goal.”
These initiatives include the use of alternative fuels in university vehicles, partnering with Harrisonburg to burn trash to generate steam energy, the installation of low-flush toilets, urinals, water flow restrictors in showers and faucets, and the incorporation of energy efficient lighting in 13 resident halls and 350 outdoor fixtures.
In June 2007, JMU President Linwood Rose furthered JMU’s commitment to protecting natural resources by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
Presently, 280 schools have signed the pledge to battle global warning and reduce emissions greenhouse gases by 80 percent by mid-century. JMU is one of over ten Virginia colleges and universities to have joined the campaign.
To strengthen JMU’s dedication in becoming greener, President Rose even appointed a Presidential Commission to study sustainability throughout campus. The Commission comprises professors, staff members, students, and Harrisonburg representatives.
Primary goals include observing different parts of campus and recommending what can be done to make JMU even more environmentally conscious.
New building construction and renovations, energy usage, waste management and recycling, dining services, transportation, and water runoff are a few of the many areas the commission seeks to examine.
“I think this is the socially responsible thing to do,” said President Rose in an interview with the Daily News Record. “This gives [JMU] an opportunity to work with other institutions with the same commitment.”
However, soon Juice is planning on expanding their competition. Though Juice offers green power nationwide, it is currently based only in New York, Texas, and Chicago.
Eventually, Juice plans to spread nationwide, covering all states and regions. Since their debut over a year ago, Juice has received positive response regarding their growing involvement in schools and universities.
“We like to take a proactive role—we speak with students and discuss what they can do more of,” said Kevin Berkemeyer, Environmental Analyst at Juice. “We do a lot of client based research customized to their needs and accomplishments.”
