Less Is More: Winners of Energy Wars Enjoy Their Victory

The winners of Utah State University’s annual energy reduction competition, Energy Wars, save energy again. During the month of October, faculty and students took small steps to reduce energy, such as taking the stairs, turning off lights when leaving a room, and signing a pledge board to take personal actions. At the end of the competition, the College of Agriculture claimed the top spot in the academic division, by reducing their electricity use from last year by 11.9%, a remarkable feat with campus being less populated than usual due to the pandemic in the comparison year. The College of Agriculture celebrated with breakfast on Dec. 14. West Campus and Central Suites split the win in the housing division, each receiving $200 for activities.

Cece Burridge, a student and a staff member in the College of Agriculture, said she believes it is important for USU to hold events, such as Energy Wars, on campus.

“Here at Utah State, we are educating and setting precedents and expectations for the future leaders and innovators in Utah,” Burridge said. “Sustainability is becoming increasingly important and by having sustainable events at USU right now, we are setting ourselves up for a sustainable future.”

Likewise, Residence Life encourages students to find ways to save energy in their living spaces.

“Some of the best experiences I have encountered working with Energy Wars in USU Residence Life over the years is seeing how the creativity and thinking outside the box manifests with the residents,” said Justin Peterson, the West Campus housing area coordinator.”

According to Peterson, this creativity results in a variety of conservation practices for energy, water and waste. Residents and Resident Assistants have even collaborated with faculty to study university systems and develop initiatives.

Energy Wars is an annual competition held by the USU Sustainability Council, Facilities and Residence Life to promote energy conservation on campus. Although the competition started in housing, it has since expanded to academic buildings. Throughout the month of October, USU Facilities tracked the energy consumption of College of Agriculture, Edith Bowen, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts Visual, Huntsman Hall, Natural Resources, Old Main, Widtsoe and Ray B. West. Each competed against its own energy use from the previous year.

About the USU Sustainability Council

The Utah State University Sustainability Council formed in 2007 after the university became a signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The Council seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as conserve resources and enhance quality of life by promoting sustainability in USU’s academic and service missions.