UB urged to support reduced energy consumption

To the Editor:

In 1998, New York began the deregulation of the power-utility systems. Deregulation is expected to reduce power costs by 5-10 percent as an open market develops over the next five years.

Uncertainty in the new market and the lack of competition by new suppliers has led to occasional price spikes. Short-term price spikes lasting from a few hours to two or more days occurred last summer when the demand for power was high.

When this occurred, the price for power increased by as much as 10 times the normal rate. At the level the university uses power, this drives costs up by thousands of dollars each hour. Fortunately we receive day-ahead pricing so measures can be taken to limit our consumption.

A plan to manage power-price increases is being prepared by University Facilities to improve our ability to reduce afternoon consumption this summer. Buildings will be cooled prior to occupancy when power costs are lower, reducing our need to cool in the late afternoon, when power prices are peaking. Other long-range options include cooling-policy changes, fixed-price supply contracts, on-site power generation, gas-fired cooling systems and geo-thermal resources.

As a member of the campus community, we need your year-round support in reducing energy consumption. During weather extremes, please dress appropriately; turn off lights, office equipment and coffeepots whenever possible, and report energy waste.

These simple measures will yield environmental and significant costs saving benefits to the university.

-John Russo,
Assistant Director, Utility Operation