Expo highlights teams' Green Energy Fee projects

The Green Energy Fee Grant Program at Western Washington University held its second annual expo May 14 in the Miller Hall Collaborative Space on campus. The event highlighted 10 teams that have been working hard to formulate new and innovative sustainability projects for campus.

The applicant teams that presented at the expo have been actively researching or implementing a wide variety of campus projects. More than 70 students, faculty and staff attended the expo.

“Not only are these teams getting grant writing, project planning and implementation experience, but they’re helping contribute to our university’s core values with every sustainable action they take,” said Regan Clover, Green Energy Fee Grant Program coordinator.

Final proposals are due this coming week, and the awards will likely be announced over the summer. 

Team projects for the 2013-2014 academic year include:

• LED Lighting in the Performing Arts Center
• Installing bicycle fix-it stations on campus
• Adding compost collection containers to Red Square
• Researching the feasibility of installing a roof mounted wind turbine on either Parks Hall or the Environmental Studies Building.
• Increasing awareness of the Social Equity tier of the 3 pillars of Sustainability (Environment, Economy, and Social Equity)
• Installing a small hydroponics aquarium
• Installing an energy efficient residence hall room and reporting the outcomes
• Creating an online informational dashboard to track the campus’s energy consumption
• Installing a sustainability information wall in the Wilson Library centered around a new water bottle refill station
• Researching the feasibility of solar thermal collectors on the campus recreation center to reduce the pool’s energy consumption

The Green Energy Fee Grant Program exists to promote experiential learning opportunities and sustainable practices at Western Washington University. The GEF is funded by Western students, managed by the Office of Sustainability, and grants are chosen by the Green Energy Fee Committee, composed of students, staff, and faculty representatives.

For more information on the Green Energy Fee Grant Program, visit wwu.edu/gef.