2008 Woodie Awards
Thinking about energy efficiency can lead to lower utility bills
By Yubhya Garcia
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News
Originally published: 4/17/08 at 7:05 PM CSTLast update: 4/17/08 at 8:04 PM CST
College students are an important group to target to create awareness about energy conservation, said Anita Ledbetter, executive director of the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy.
The Metropolitan Partnership for Energy is composed of CPS Energy, Bexar County, city of San Antonio, San Antonio Water System, Via Metropolitan Transit, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Solar San Antonio and the Greater Bexar County Council of Cities.
Its mission is to provide energy leadership, expertise and education and develop regionally cooperative programs for energy use.
Ledbetter said that as college students go into the work force, they can have the biggest impact.
Students have computers, iPods, stereos and PlayStations and will get new gadgets as they become available. Therefore, students need to learn to save energy, she said.
Ledbetter said college students have been raised thinking there was plentiful energy, but that is no longer the case.
She said students need to understand the message, learn what they can do and teach others.
"It is important to learn and raise awareness on energy consumption," Ledbetter said.
Some tips she provided were to look for products and appliances with the Energy Star logo and to unplug appliances if not in use.
The Energy Star is a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to encourage energy-efficient products, such as appliances.
Another tip for students is to use human energy products such as a regular toothbrush and hand-wheel can opener.
Nursing sophomore Claudia Garcia said that she wants to conserve electricity but she forgets.
Her mind is so full of school and work she said she doesn't pay attention to the lights being on all the time.
"If I could save money in my bill, I would buy a pair of shoes," she said.
The average home in San Antonio uses about 1,200 kwh (kilowatt hours) per month, according to www.windtricity.com
The Metropolitan Partnership for Energy is composed of CPS Energy, Bexar County, city of San Antonio, San Antonio Water System, Via Metropolitan Transit, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Solar San Antonio and the Greater Bexar County Council of Cities.
Its mission is to provide energy leadership, expertise and education and develop regionally cooperative programs for energy use.
Ledbetter said that as college students go into the work force, they can have the biggest impact.
Students have computers, iPods, stereos and PlayStations and will get new gadgets as they become available. Therefore, students need to learn to save energy, she said.
Ledbetter said college students have been raised thinking there was plentiful energy, but that is no longer the case.
She said students need to understand the message, learn what they can do and teach others.
"It is important to learn and raise awareness on energy consumption," Ledbetter said.
Some tips she provided were to look for products and appliances with the Energy Star logo and to unplug appliances if not in use.
The Energy Star is a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to encourage energy-efficient products, such as appliances.
Another tip for students is to use human energy products such as a regular toothbrush and hand-wheel can opener.
Nursing sophomore Claudia Garcia said that she wants to conserve electricity but she forgets.
Her mind is so full of school and work she said she doesn't pay attention to the lights being on all the time.
"If I could save money in my bill, I would buy a pair of shoes," she said.
The average home in San Antonio uses about 1,200 kwh (kilowatt hours) per month, according to www.windtricity.com
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