Campus Sustainability Update

Kalamazoo Valley is working hard to reduce waste and college’s impact on the environment. Ted Forester has been Kalamazoo Valley’s Energy Educator for the past year. He is working with the energy consulting service Energy Education.

From February 2011 to October 2011, Kalamazoo Valley saved $397,305 in energy costs for an overall reduction of 22.7 percent. An additional $32,171 was also saved during the initial period from October 2010 to January 2011.

Forester said his primary goals are to maintain comfort and safety for staff and students; to eliminate energy waste; and to save money. He tracks data daily using internationally recognized software. “We’ve seen some major savings and we’re pretty pleased with that,” he said. “Significant changes have been made. Everyone at Kalamazoo Valley did this. It’s a team effort.”

Building use schedules have been adjusted, room temperatures are being controlled and lights and computers are being turned off when not in use. Forester said the savings have all been possible through modifications in behavior. “Our goal is to improve every year,” he said. “We want to outdo ourselves every year. We anticipate another good year with continued savings.”

The savings for the last year are equal to 3,017 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented; 542 automobiles removed from the highways annually; or 77,173 tree seedlings planted and grown for 10 years.