Baylor University: Global Warming
New energy contract to save BU millions - 02/09/2007
Baylor will soon be saving some green. The university's new energy contract, announced Thursday, will go easy on the environment -- and on Baylor's wallet.
Administrators have made the decision to change power companies in July 2008, when the university's contract with Reliant Energy expires. The switch to WPS Energy Services Inc. is designed to save Baylor money, said Don Bagby, director of facilities management.
After changing companies, the university expects to save more than $2 million of the $13.5 million Baylor spends yearly on power, he said.
In addition, the university will start using wind power, a renewable energy source, through WPS.
Although not all of Baylor's energy needs can be met by wind power, he said a "significant portion" of them will be.
Although Baylor will be paying WPS Energy Services Inc. for renewable energy, power from many different companies goes into the Texas power grid.
When Baylor uses power, renewable energy may not be directly transmitted to campus, but the university will be paying for the development of West Texas wind farms.
"That's really wonderful," said Austin junior Jenny Parker, an environmental studies major and member of Baylor's Environmental Concern Organization. Christians often forget that they've been "entrusted" with the earth, she said.
Parker said it's a "disservice to God" when excessive amounts of power are used. Replacing demand for "brown" nonrenewable energy with "green" renewable energy sets a good example, she said.
"Baylor is showing outstanding leadership," Darden said. "We are in the midst of global warming and we need to take radical steps."
