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from the issue of September 29, 2005
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$3.6 million shortfall projected for winter
Energy rates chill campus utility budget
BY KELLY BARTLING, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
UNL will be putting on sweaters and turning out the lights earlier this winter in response to unprecedented and unbudgeted increases in energy costs.
In an announcement Sept. 26 to faculty and staff, Chancellor Harvey Perlman outlined an approach to cut energy costs and asked everyone to get behind an effort to meet a projected $3.6 million energy budget shortfall caused primarily by a spike in natural gas prices - attributable to refinery shutdowns and the economic impact of the two Gulf Coast hurricanes.
"Because of the increases in energy costs, UNL's business office is projecting a $3.6 million shortfall in our Lincoln campus utility budget," Perlman said. "This is a 25 percent increase in our utility budget, from $14.3 million to $17.9 million. This is serious money coming on top of our other fiscal challenges."
Part of the plan outlined by Perlman includes shutting down building heating/ventilation systems between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly and on weekends, lowering building temperatures during the day, and encouraging employees to be aggressive in finding energy-savings.
Christine Jackson, UNL vice chancellor for business and finance, said budgeters could not have been able to foresee the major increases in natural gas prices. The budget factored in 4.6 percent increases, and prices now are showing 25 percent increases.
"Our budget has $39,000 per day in energy, and our projection now is needing $49,000 per day," Jackson said. "We want to get ahead of the situation now and start implementing budget-saving measures right away."
Perlman asked deans and directors to consider the effect of building shutdowns and to find ways to accommodate evening and weekend research and classes. Specifically, a petition approach to request exemption from building shutdowns has been set up.
All information about the deficit, requests for energy-saving measures and petition process is available on the Web.
Jackson and Perlman said they hoped the university community would be creative and aggressive in setting up energy savings.
"Our buildings will be a bit less comfortable and some people may need to consider changing their routines - but we feel everyone will be willing to pitch in and do their part to help," Jackson said. "Compared to the difficulties some people have faced in the Gulf Coast, our sacrifices are small."
Energy Savers
Chancellor Harvey Perlman's energy savings plan includes:
• Shutting down building heating and ventilation systems between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Lowering building temperatures during the day.
• Encourage employees to be aggressive in finding energy savings.
More tips available online at www.unl.edu.
GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 29
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