Green Energy Fee Grant Program annual expo is May 14

Western Today staff

May 12, 2014

Western’s campus community is invited to attend the Green Energy Fee Grant Program Annual Expo from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in the Miller Hall Collaborative Space.

This year, 10 teams have been working hard to formulate new and innovative sustainability projects for campus; team members will introduce their projects at the expo. Light refreshments will be served.

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 three pillars of sustainability (the other two are environment and economy)
  • 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 has participation from students, staff, and faculty from across the university. 2014 applications came from students, faculty and staff from the following departments, colleges and clubs: the Biology Department, the Communications Department, the Computer Science Department, the English Department, the Geology Department, Huxley College of the Environment, the Philosophy Department, the Theater Department, the Music Department, Western Libraries, Facilities Management, the Sustainable Transportation Office, the Air and Waste Management Club and Students for Sustainable Water.

"This is a great opportunity to come and speak to program staff about your green ideas for next year’s grant application process," said Regan Clover, Green Energy Fee Grant Program coordinator. "The next application process will be in the fall of 2014. It’s definitely not too soon to start planning your project."

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.